Nothin’ but a hound dog

NEW RESEARCH FROM ŠKODA IN THE UK HAS REVEALED THAT SIX IN 10 DOGS ARE ANXIOUS IN THE CAR AND THEY HAVE CURATED A SCIENTIFICALLY-RESEARCHED MUSIC PLAYLIST FOR DOGS ON THE MOVE. ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS: DOGS DIG REGGAE

Škoda has recently collaborated with a UK dog behaviourist and nutritionist (Anna Webb), to curate a Spotify playlist compiled of music tracks scientifically proven to soothe dogs’ travel anxiety.

The playlist was created after research from Škoda revealed six out of 10 dogs become anxious in cars due to reasons such as the space being unfamiliar, hearing unusual sounds from the road and weather, the temperature being too warm in the car, previous bad experiences, and motion sickness. It also emerged that 75 per cent of dog owning drivers have been distracted on streets and motorways by the behaviour of their anxious dog.

Anna Webb advises that the beats per minute of a song is key to keeping dogs calm on long journeys. She comments: “Emulating the heartbeat is thought by science to offer a calming effect. Small dogs and puppies normally have heart rates of 120 to 160 beats per minute (bpm). These songs work as they are not heavy metal or similar genres which are known to disturb sleep patterns in dogs.

“I included some reggae songs on the upper end of the bpm as it’s proven dogs like reggae, so these will work well for smaller dogs as their heartbeat is faster than bigger dogs.”

Škoda’s research, carried out among 1,000 UKbased dog owners, revealed 60 per cent feel they must limit where they go on days out due to their dog becoming distressed in the car.

SOME OF THE TUNES INCLUDED IN THE PLAYLIST ARE:

No Woman No Cry – Bob Marley and the Wailers

Reggae goes down superbly with anxious dogs as they find it calming because of its unique rhythm — 4x4 time signature with emphasis placed on the 2nd and 4th beats of the bar — so it’s perfect for relaxing to on a long drive.

Oh my God – Adele

Rumour has it Adele’s voice is of a lower frequency and in turn keeps a melody without sharp contrasts.

Anti-Hero – Taylor Swift

Taylor’s a hero with this new tune, as it comes in at 106 bpm making for an ideal tempo for our furry friends. Taylor also sings at a low frequency and speed, at a steady rhythm of 4x4 so it’s best suited for aiding dogs’ anxiety.

Dreams – Fleetwood Mac

A classic ‘Easy Listening’ soft rock track ideal for anxious dogs to help them dream in the car — it has a 61bpm so a low frequency and tempo, along with a steady 4x4 beat.

Hound Dog – Elvis Presley

Science suggests rock ‘n’ roll is agitating for dogs; however, at 87 beats per minute the tune actually comes in at a low frequency, and therefore absolutely ideal for dogs in the car. Rock ‘n’ roll over, doggos.

The playlist ‘Happy Hounds with Škoda’ is available through Spotify

Tail waggin’ wagons

NEW K9 UNITS UNVEILED BY NZ POLICE

As Auto Channel went to print, New Zealand Police was scheduled to unveil their new and improved K9 Units at a media event in Hamilton on 3 April.

The new pooch mobiles, like the rest of the NZ Police fleet, are customised Škodas and it has been rumoured the K9 units will be based on the Škoda Superb Wagon, vehicles that range from TSI 132kW through to 206kW 4x4 with torque ranging up up to 350 @ 1700 - 5600.

Sources indicated that the NZ Police were planning to showcase “Police Dog Units through the years highlighting the advances in technology and animal welfare” at the informative and interesting launch.

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02 May

Editorial: editor@autochannel.co.nz

Advertising: Mike White michael.white@viamedia.co.nz

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Auto Channel is produced by Via Media, publishers of two of NZ’s biggest-selling automotive magazines: NZ Performance Car and NZV8.