What Should You Leave On For Your Dog Home Alone? TV, Music, Or Silence

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Should you leave the TV on for your dog when you go out, play calming music, use white noise, or simply let the house stay quiet? The best choice depends less on what humans find relaxing and more on what your dog does when they’re home alone.

Some dogs settle better with gentle background sound that masks delivery trucks, neighbors, and other outside noises. Others enjoy slow-moving TV or nature videos, while dogs who bark at animals on screen may be calmer with music instead. And some dogs are perfectly happy with silence.

I regularly leave TV or music on for my own dogs, and I’ve used a pet camera to compare how one of my anxious dogs behaves with and without background noise. Below, I’ll help you choose between TV, music, white noise, and silence based on your dog’s behavior — plus share the shows, channels, and music options worth trying.

TV, Music, Or Silence?

There isn’t one background sound that works best for every dog. Start with the problem you’re trying to solve.

Try TV if your dog seems to enjoy watching the screen and needs a little visual stimulation while you’re gone. Choose calm programming with steady narration and fewer sudden sound effects.

Try calming music if your dog needs help settling but tends to react to animals, doorbells, barking, or other sounds on television. Classical music and other gentle, slower styles are good places to start. Research in kennelled dogs has repeatedly found calmer behavior with some forms of music, although individual responses vary.

Try white noise or another steady background sound if the main problem is unpredictable noise outside your home. Its biggest advantage is consistency: it may help make footsteps, traffic, voices, doors, and deliveries less noticeable.

Try silence if your dog already sleeps comfortably when you’re away. Background entertainment isn’t necessary simply because a dog is home alone.

Whichever option you choose, watch your dog rather than assuming that “calming” content is actually calming for them. Pacing, barking, panting, staring intensely at the screen, repeatedly getting up, or reacting to sounds can all be signs that the setup is too stimulating.

What Should I Leave On For My Dog? 6 Common Scenarios

Different dogs need different kinds of background stimulation. The best choice depends on whether your dog is reacting to outside noise, struggling with separation, getting bored, or simply looking for a calm environment while you’re away.

Use these common scenarios to match TV, music, white noise, or silence to the behavior you’re trying to manage.

1. My Dog Barks At Outside Noises

Start with steady music, white noise, or another consistent background sound rather than animal-heavy TV. The goal is to make hallway footsteps, delivery drivers, car doors, neighbors, and other unpredictable noises less noticeable.

Keep the volume moderate. You want background sound, not enough noise to compete with every sound outside.

Our Personal Experience Leaving TV on for Dogs

I’ve long felt that leaving the TV or music on for my dog Tiny helps him stay calmer when I’m away. Tiny doesn’t do well with a completely quiet house because outside sounds — delivery drivers, trash trucks, yard crews, and even people talking loudly near my townhouse — can quickly put him on alert.

For him, background sound seems to help mask some of those unpredictable noises and create a more consistent environment. I can’t say that TV itself is treating his anxiety, but based on his behavior, I’ve found that a little background noise works better for him than silence.

– Sally Jones, Rescue Dog Mom, Canine Journal Editor

2. My Dog Has Separation Anxiety

Try calm, predictable audio if it helps your dog settle, but don’t rely on TV or music as treatment for separation anxiety.

Dogs with separation-related distress may bark, pace, drool, destroy objects, eliminate indoors, or attempt to escape soon after their person leaves. A camera can help distinguish those behaviors from boredom or barking triggered by something outside.

If your dog shows significant distress when left alone, speak with your veterinarian or a qualified behavior professional. Separation anxiety usually requires gradual behavior modification, and some dogs need additional veterinary support.

3. My Dog Gets Bored Home Alone

If your dog is relaxed or bored rather than anxious, TV or gentle nature programming may provide extra sights and sounds. Dogs that pay attention to movement on screens may particularly enjoy it.

Just remember that TV is passive enrichment. Pair it with appropriate exercise, sniffing, training, food puzzles, or safe toys rather than expecting a screen to keep your dog occupied all day.

4. My Dog Reacts To Animals On TV

Skip wildlife videos, barking dogs, squeaky-toy sounds, and fast-moving animal programs. Try music, an audiobook, calm human voices, or silence instead.

A program that looks soothing to you can be stimulating to a dog who fixates on animals or becomes alert whenever they hear barking.

5. My Puppy Is Home Alone

For puppies, the bigger priority is gradually learning that short periods alone are safe and normal. Quiet music or white noise can become part of that routine, especially in a noisy home, but it shouldn’t replace age-appropriate bathroom breaks, exercise, socialization, and alone-time training.

Introduce any background audio while you’re still home first so you can see whether your puppy relaxes or becomes more interested and alert.

6. My Senior Dog Is Home Alone

Many older dogs are happiest with familiar, predictable surroundings, so start with whatever sound environment they already associate with relaxing at home.

Senior dogs may also experience changes in hearing, vision, bathroom needs, pain, or cognitive function. If an older dog suddenly becomes restless, vocal, or distressed when left alone, discuss the change with your veterinarian rather than assuming they simply need more background noise.

Do Dogs Actually Watch TV?

Yes, some dogs do watch TV. However, they do not understand it the same way we do. Dogs do not see colors the same way we do, nor can they understand what the images are or follow the plot. However, many dogs enjoy the mental stimulation.

Dogs have different vision than us, so they do not see images as clearly and are red-green color blind, meaning they do not see these shades the way we do. They see more of a gray hue but are better at detecting motion.

This may be why some dogs seem drawn into shows with big movements, and breeds like sighthounds (these include Greyhounds, Saluki, Whippets, and Borzoi) and guarding dogs (such as German Shepherds, Mastiffs, and Rottweilers) may be more inclined to pick up on movements on the TV screen.

A research study published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science looked at what dogs like to watch on TV and how they interact with the screen. This study found that sporting and herding breeds appear to watch TV more than others. Along with that, the study found that dogs prefer animal content and are drawn to movement. The study also showed that dogs can show signs of excitement in reaction to what they see on the TV screen.

Does Watching Television Benefit Dogs?

There are a few ways that watching TV and having the TV on when they are home alone can benefit dogs. It can provide mental stimulation, prevent boredom, cover background noise, and help deter anxious reactions due to triggers from outside noise.

Can TV Be Bad For Dogs?

Some dogs may not like to watch TV, and for others, it may be too overstimulating. They may find the movement and sounds to be too much, and this can trigger an anxious or fearful response. So, you must test things out with your pup first to see how they react. You do not want the TV to trigger any behavioral issues.

You must also be careful not to have the TV on too much, as prolonged watching can cause strain on your pup’s eyes.

Best TV Shows & Channels For Dogs

If your dog enjoys watching TV, a few well-chosen options can provide calm background stimulation while you’re away. Some are created specifically for dogs, while others simply have the slower pacing, steady narration, or nature-focused content that many dogs find easier to settle with.

DOGTV

DOGTV is a streaming service created specifically for dogs, with programs designed around relaxation, stimulation, and exposure to everyday sights and sounds. If your dog enjoys watching the screen, its relaxation programming may be a good place to start when you’re looking for calm background entertainment.

Some DOGTV programs include more stimulating sounds and movement, so test the content with your dog before leaving it on while you’re away.

DOGTV has been around for about 13 years. It is available on the DOGTV app, through DOGTV.com, and on some major cable streaming services such as DISH, DirecTV, Xfinity, and Sling.

Nature Documentaries

Nature documentaries such as Planet Earth, Blue Planet, and Our Planet can be an easy option if you already have a streaming service. Their steady narration and slower pacing may suit dogs that enjoy watching animals without a lot of sudden sound effects.

Keep in mind that wildlife can be exciting rather than calming for some dogs, so test a few programs before leaving one on while you’re away.

The great thing about nature documentaries is that there is plenty to choose from online and from varying streaming services and cable providers.

RelaxMyDog

RelaxMyDog offers calming music and videos designed for pets, including long-form nature scenes and relaxing background audio. It can be a good option for dogs that benefit from steady sound but still enjoy some visual stimulation.

Much of its content is also available on YouTube, making it easy to try before deciding whether it works for your dog. RelaxMyDog was started by a pet owner who lives in a loud, violent area, which was causing his dog anxiety.

You can also try the YouTube Channel Calm Your Cat. Designed to help keep cats calm throughout the day, these videos and music may help your dog, too.

Paul Dinning

Paul Dinning’s YouTube channel features long nature videos, wildlife footage, virtual walks, and calming outdoor sounds. These videos can work well for dogs that enjoy watching birds or other animals without the fast pace of traditional TV.

If your dog tends to bark at wildlife on screen, however, music or another audio-only option may be a better choice.

Best Music & Audio Options For Dogs

If your dog settles better with sound but gets overstimulated by TV, music or spoken audio may be a better choice. Start with calm, predictable options and see which one helps your dog relax rather than stay alert.

Classical & Gentle Music

Classical music is a good place to start if your goal is creating a calmer environment. Research in kennel and shelter settings suggests that certain types of music, particularly classical music, may encourage more resting and less vocalizing in some dogs. Individual responses vary, so pay attention to how your own dog behaves.

Audiobooks & Human Voices

Some dogs may prefer the steady sound of people talking. Audiobooks, podcasts, or other calm spoken-word content can provide background noise without the animal sounds and fast-moving visuals that can make TV exciting for some dogs.

Choose something with relatively consistent volume and avoid content with frequent yelling, alarms, or dramatic sound effects.

Audible For Dogs

Audible partnered with famed dog trainer Cesar Milan to perform a study to determine how dogs responded to audio narration and what attributes made a difference. Then, they curated a list of audiobooks catered to dogs.

You do need an Audible subscription, but you can try a free trial for 30 days to test out if it makes a difference for your pup. The calmer, melodious rhythm of narration can be very reassuring for some dogs and help them feel more comfortable when no one is home. Titles on Milan’s list include Life of Pi, Soldier Dogs, and Mary Poppins.

Dog-Specific Music & Channels

You can also experiment with music and audio created specifically for dogs. Options like HealingMate and Merlin’s Realms are easy to test, but don’t assume dog-specific music will automatically work better than ordinary calming music. The best choice is whichever helps your dog settle comfortably.

HealingMate

HealingMate is a YouTube channel dedicated to music for dogs. Audio is set to endearing images of dogs.

There are a variety of videos and live streams to choose from. Music is mixed in with nature sounds for calming, relaxation, sleep, and stress relief. If you have a super cute picture or video of your dog sleeping, you can send it in, and it might get included in a new video.

Merlin’s Realms – Music for Dogs and Humans

Merlin’s Realms is a YouTube channel with music made for dogs and their humans.

Developed by a composer and audio engineer, these ambient musical tracks are intended to promote relaxation and calmness, and several are made for dogs with separation anxiety. There are also options for helping you and your pup sleep, deal with anxiety, and help them cope with loud noises like fireworks.

Do you have a specific television show, YouTube channel, or music you find helps relax your pet? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

How Loud Should TV Or Music Be For Dogs?

Keep TV or music at a comfortable background level rather than turning it up enough to drown out the entire neighborhood. Dogs have sensitive hearing, and loud or unpredictable audio can defeat the purpose of creating a relaxing environment.

Also pay attention to what you leave playing. For a dog who needs help settling, choose content with:

• steady volume
• slower pacing
• calm voices or music
• fewer sudden bangs, alarms, doorbells, or shouting
• limited barking, squeaking, or animal sounds if those excite your dog

Avoid assuming that a nature show is automatically calming. Birds, squirrels, dogs, and fast-moving wildlife can be fascinating for one dog and frustrating or overstimulating for another.

If your dog repeatedly gets up, scans the room, barks, pants, or fixates on the screen, try something less stimulating.

How To Test What Works For Your Dog

You don’t have to guess what your dog prefers. Run a few short tests.

On different departures, try silence, calming music, steady background noise, and — if your dog enjoys screens — calm TV. Keep the rest of the routine as similar as possible.

A pet camera makes this especially useful. Look for whether your dog:

• settles or lies down
• sleeps
• paces
• barks or whines
• repeatedly reacts to outside sounds
• watches the television calmly or becomes fixated on it

Start with short departures rather than testing a new setup for an entire workday. The winner isn’t necessarily the option your dog pays the most attention to — it’s usually the one that helps them settle comfortably.

If your dog shows significant distress whenever you leave, however, testing playlists isn’t enough. Record the behavior for your veterinarian or behavior professional so they can help determine whether separation-related anxiety is involved.

How I Learned What Helps My Anxious Dog

My dog Falkor has significant separation anxiety and has damaged furniture, shoes, and even a bedroom door when left alone. He becomes anxious as soon as he realizes we’re getting ready to leave, so I usually leave the television or calming music on when he’s home by himself.

I wanted to know whether the background noise was actually helping, so I used a pet camera to watch his behavior while I was away. I also tried a Furbo 360, which let me dispense treats and talk to him remotely. Interestingly, hearing my voice didn’t calm him; it seemed to make him more anxious.

The camera was much more useful for testing different setups. When the house was quiet, Falkor paced in his crate and sometimes started chewing the sides. When I left music or television playing, he settled more comfortably and didn’t show those same behaviors.

For Falkor, calm TV works best. I usually choose documentaries, PBS, PBS Kids, or programs with slower pacing and steady narration. If I leave music on instead, I stick with classical or instrumental options.

That doesn’t mean the same setup will work for every dog, but watching Falkor on camera helped me figure out what actually made him more comfortable instead of guessing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Every dog responds differently to TV, music, white noise, and quiet time, so it can take a little trial and error to find the right setup. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about leaving background sound on for dogs.

If you have a question we didn’t cover, or you’ve found something that works especially well for your dog, share it in the comments below.

Should I Leave The TV On For My Dog When I’m Not Home?

You can if your dog seems to enjoy it and stays relaxed while it’s on. Calm TV can provide background sound and visual stimulation, but it isn’t necessary for every dog. If your dog barks at animals, doorbells, or sudden noises on TV, music, white noise, or silence may be a better option.

Is Music Or TV Better For Dogs Home Alone?

It depends on your dog. TV may work well for dogs that enjoy watching the screen and don’t become overstimulated by animals or sound effects. Music is often a better choice for dogs that need calmer, more predictable background noise. Try both during short departures and use a pet camera to see which helps your dog settle.

Does Leaving Music On Help Dogs With Separation Anxiety?

Music may help some dogs feel calmer, but it should not be considered a treatment for separation anxiety. Dogs with separation-related distress may need gradual behavior modification and guidance from a veterinarian or qualified behavior professional. Background audio can be one part of a comfortable home-alone setup.

Is White Noise Good For Dogs?

White noise can be useful for dogs that react to outside sounds such as footsteps, traffic, neighbors, or delivery drivers because it provides a steady background sound. Keep it at a comfortable volume and watch your dog’s behavior to make sure it helps rather than makes them more alert.

What Kind Of Music Is Most Calming For Dogs?

Gentle, predictable music is a good place to start. Classical music is commonly used in canine calming studies, but there is no single type of music that works best for every dog. Some dogs may prefer soft instrumental music, spoken audio, or simply a quiet room.

Should I Leave The TV On All Day For My Dog?

You don’t need to leave the TV on all day simply because your dog is home alone. If you use TV as background stimulation, choose calm content and a moderate volume. Your dog should also have opportunities for exercise, enrichment, rest, and bathroom breaks appropriate for their age and needs.

How Else Can I Help My Dog Feel Settled When I’m Away?

TV, music, or white noise can help create a calmer environment, but they’re only one part of helping your dog feel comfortable when home alone. Exercise, a bathroom break, and enrichment like interactive dog toys or a lick mat can also help your dog settle.

What Does Your Dog Like To Listen To?

Does your pup prefer nature documentaries, classical music, white noise, or total silence? We’d love to hear what helps your dog settle when they’re home alone. Share your dog’s favorite background sound or the funniest thing they’ve ever reacted to on TV in the comments below.