Angry voices were most strongly associated with destabilisation of the dogs' balance.

Researchers investigate the effect of human voices on postural stability. 

The emotion expressed in a human voice can affect a dog’s sense of balance, new research has found.

The study, led by researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, monitored 23 pet dogs on a pressure-sensing platform while they listened to recordings of happy and angry human voices.

The findings, published in PLOS One, reveal that angry voices were most strongly associated with destabilisation of the dogs’ balance, compared with no sound at all.

Happy voices produced mixed responses. While 57 per cent of the dogs showed signs of destabilisation, 43 per cent displayed increased stabilisation — or a response described as “freezing”.

The authors write: ‘These exploratory findings suggest that the emotional arousal triggered by human voices can have both stabilizing and destabilizing effects on canine balance. Angry human voices were associated with the greatest destabilizing effect.’

Previous studies in humans suggest external sounds can influence stability, with high frequencies linked to destabilisation and white noise associated with stabilisation, However, few studies have explored how sound affects balance in animals. 

The team suggests that further research could explore whether prior experiences affect individual dogs’ reactions, and whether freezing in response to happy voices relates to anticipatory adjustments in preparation for voluntary movement. 

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