Through A Dog's Ear: How to Use Sound to Improve the Health & Behavior of Your Canine Companion


Posted on Feb 28, 2008
By Melissa Holbrook Pierson

by Joshua Leeds and Susan Wagner  

Sounds True, 184 pages, $18.95 (includes 45-minute starter CD)  

Available on Amazon.com

Many years ago, I used to hang out in the barn of a breeder of Thoroughbred horses who always had the radio tuned to a classical music station; she firmly believed it helped calm her horses. Because of her, when I started living with dogs, I got in the habit of leaving the radio on for them when I went away from home. I'm not sure if it's helped them feel less stressed about being alone, but it does make me feel a tiny bit better.

Now there is scientific proof that what we provide for (or force) our pets to hear has an effect on their behavior by way of the nervous system. It turns out that, yes, classical music - no speed metal, please! - is the ticket to reduced stress. And when that classical music has been slightly altered into "simplified sound," the effects are even more pronounced.

When psychoacoustic expert Joshua Leeds enlisted the help of a veterinary neurologist, Dr. Susan Wagner, the study they designed for 150 dogs showed that a powerful majority of them in both kennels and households were positively affected by these particular piano melodies. Trembling at thunder, overstimulation from visitors, and separation anxiety were all eased.

With their keen hearing and their subjection to the human world of increasing noise - vacuums, truck horns, shouting, doors slamming - it's a wonder more dogs aren't completely cuckoo. But some of them are, and owners take them to the vet in hopes that something can be done to help the overload of stress that causes behavioral and medical problems both. Surely music, such as this lovely compilation of Bach, Schumann, Debussy and others, with tracks for both "deep calming" and for the canine household at large, should be among the first remedies tried. It's noninvasive, relatively cheap, and altogether more pleasant than pills.

The accompanying book explains the research, the need that drove it, and all sorts of info to help you help your dog. Oh, and yourself, too. In my own unscientific study, the CD had a remarkably calming effect on one hypersensitive mutt, an 8-year-old boy, and a certain overworked writer. Personally, I don't need more proof than that. But if you do, I highly recommend reading the book and putting the music to the test in your own environment, whether in a doggy daycare or home-alone scenario. It couldn't hurt. And I suspect it will help a great deal.  
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