Articles

July, 2009

It seems intuitive that music, which sounds soothing to us, would also have the same effect on our animals.  But is that true?

Well, yes and no, according to Janet Marlow's short primer, The Magic of Music for Pets: How to Use Music for the Well-Being of Dogs, Cats and Horses.  Janet is an internationally known composer, with a special expertise in designing acoustically appropriate environments for dogs, cats, and horses.  As she explains in The Magic of Music for Pets, "music for human listening does not guarantee behavioral calm and a soothing environment for animals."

This is true, in part, because dogs, cats, and horses (the animals most thoroughly studied by Ms. Marlow) are capable of hearing different frequencies than we are, and are most comfortable when sounds are within their optimal hearing ranges.  Horses have a hearing range between 55 and 33,500 Hertz (Hz), which is similar to ours, while dogs (67 to 45,000 Hz) and cats (45 to 64,000 Hz) are capable of hearing sounds that are considerably higher.

So how can our knowledge of our animals' sound sensitivities help us to design music that will enhance their lives?  It's here where Janet really excels, describing the process she used to create her CD series, Relaxation Music for My Pet and Me, and Relaxation Music for Horses:  "When composing, I place the music in the register or octave range best suited to the animal.  The final stage of the production is to digitally position the frequency range of the music directly in the middle of their hearing comfort zone to avoid any extremes that would cause an animal stress or make them flee from their resting place."

Based on my own observations of my Springer Spaniel, Tish, I can attest that Janet's techniques worked amazingly well in Relaxation Music for My Pet and Me (Volume 3).  Within a few moments of my turning it on, Tish gravitated to the room where it was playing, and was soon fast asleep!

The earlier Relaxation Music for Dogs and Cats volumes apparently achieved the same results when Ms. Marlow tested them at veterinarians' offices, local shelters and rescues, grooming parlors, and private homes: "I could see that dogs were resting within 5 to 7 minutes.  Cats that were out of view in the home came into the room with the music and curled up to rest. . .Rescued dogs at the kennel diminished their anxious barking. The recovery area at the veterinary hospital had a pleasant feel to it and the staff commented to me that it helped them feel calm as well."

Similar effects were noticed when Janet played her Relaxation Music for Horses compositions at local stables.  I found it fascinating that she modeled her equine music not on classical motifs but on country music, based on anecdotal reports from horse people who had noticed that their horses seemed to enjoy listening to Country Music stations when the radio was on in the barn.

Because the music in Janet Marlow's Relaxation series for animals has been composed and recorded with such care and awareness, it can be profoundly useful in easing the stress of separation anxiety, for example, or during thunderstorms, or for animals that fear getting into cars or trailers.  These sensitively created CDs are a gift of peace for both animals and their people. Maureen Harmonay, Animal Communications Book Club

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So speaking of stress... it can be easy to forget that we aren't the only ones that have to deal with the ramifications of a busy schedule. That's right, odds are if you're feeling a little worked to the bone, your pup can pick up on that mood too. And don't forget- there all kinds of pet-related sources of stress like vacuum cleaners, being left alone all day, strangers ringing the doorbell... things that may never cross our already crowded minds that your dogs and cats have to deal with while you're out taking care of business. That's where Janet Marlow, pet relaxation expert and author, is here to help with her collection of relaxation CDs for dogs, cats and yes- even horses.

After reading about Janet's products in this month's issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray, we contacted her to find out more and tried out the first of her Relaxation CDs which includes two tracks: one for calming and another for soothing. According to Janet, low and high frequencies can cause stress and anxiety in pets- her music is composed and recorded using a special process that results in "modified frequency ranges based on canine and feline hearing sensitivities" that will help your animal pal re-center.

Janet had claimed that within minutes Paddy would be at peace and she was right... in fact, the CD actually worked wonders for us too. On Sunday afternoons we like to catch up with the paper and all the magazines that have piled up during the week. Normally, Paddy (who as you might have suspected by now has boundless energy), does not enjoy this down time and has a nasty habit of trying to get her owner's attention in ways that while endearing, become downright annoying after twenty minutes. So, we thought- why not try the CD? Sure enough, within five minutes, she was no longer distressed that we weren't paying attention to her and quite happily lying on her mat in a very zen like pose... and we too were lying on the couch... in a very asleep like pose. While we're not sure how exactly the CD managed to get Paddy to calm down (nothing as worked before- not even tasty bully sticks or her Pet DVD)- but we were amazed at the almost immediate response. And... after spending the weekend trying to blow of steam, we were also on a personal level- totally amazed at how quickly it put us in a relaxed state.

In addition to fantastic relaxation CDs- Janet has also partnered with Barnes & Noble to create Zen Dog: Music and Massage for a Stress Free Pet. According to her release, "this unique book, CD, and DVD kit will help dog owners tap into the power of music and gentle massage to improve their dog's mental and physical well-being." The kit includes a music CD, a step by step instructional DVD that will teach you the art of canine massage, a comprehensive "how-to" book that covers how to use the kit for the best results, and a curry brush.

Zen Dog is available from Barnes & Noble online for $12.95

Creating a calming atmosphere for your pet through music

Our Companions Magazine, Kari O'Brien

Behavioral problems in pets is one of the foremost reasons people relinquish their pets today. Problems such as separation anxiety, improper elimination, chewing and howling can present themselves in a newly adopted pet, or one that’s been your companion for years. When underlying medical issues have been ruled out by a veterinarian, finding the root cause of behavioral problems can seem daunting to even the most committed pet owner.

There are many solutions to dealing with these types of situations. In addition to working with a professional trainer through programs such as Our Companions Stay-at-Home Program, observing how your pet responds to noises and vibrations in your home environment may provide valuable tools to lessen, or even prevent destructive behavior.

Janet Marlow, author of Zen Dog, Music & Massage for a Stress Free Pet (Barnes & Noble) advocates establishing a feeling of connectedness and safety for your pets in the home environment through the use of calming music. Marlow, a composer and researcher, has developed a CD series of music specifically for the purposes of soothing over-reactive pets while establishing balance and well -being in their environment. Being that dogs and cats hear frequencies considerably lower and higher than humans, Marlow uses a unique process to design music that is adjusted for their hearing sensitivities.

Marlow strives to educate pet owners that music can be an extremely effective means when trying to alleviate an anxious pet. “Dogs and cats are energetic beings and music, being a physical substance that permeates the air, can have positive effects to elicit calm.” She emphasizes that many behavioral problems often transpire as a pet’s physical reaction to unsettling elements in their home environment. “We place pets in an unnatural environment and they have to adapt to strange noises and vibrations which they often cannot distinguish from threatening sounds.” Marlow point outs that an animal’s instinctive fight or flight reaction to loud noises such as garbage trucks, traffic, thunderstorms and the like, often keep them in a reactive nervous state throughout the day which in return may manifest as behavioral issues.

The vibration Marlow’s music creates is apparently just as important as the sound that it resonates. In playing her music at your pet’s ear level (no subwoofers or speakers placed on a bare floor please) the sound and vibration together forms a partnership that recreates the disbursement of sound as it would in nature.

In keeping with such principal, Marlow’s music can be used as an instrument to conceal the startling sounds and vibrations of thunderstorms that cause angst in many pets. “The sound of thunder is disturbing to humans, so you can understand why a dog’s acute hearing – combined with its sensitivity to atmospheric changes – can trigger behaviors of anxiety.” Marlow states that in turning up the volume slightly higher, the music becomes a both a relaxation device and masking instrument seeing that her carefully crafted sound and vibrations can be used in sync to drown out those that are causing the anxiety or pain.

Marlow’s music can also be used as a reassuring tool for pets that have separation anxiety by routinely playing her music a few minutes before leaving the house and leaving it on repeat mode while you are away.

Marlow feels that in doing so, you can help your pet associate your exit with a positive and stress-free feeling each time.

Marlow also points out that her music has been shown to produce a comforting sensation for pet owners. Being that our pets often respond to our human emotions, such a mood enhancement could certainly lend itself to a well-adjusted household.

When managing a pet that is exhibiting behavioral issues it is important to remember to also incorporate professionals such as trainers and veterinarians into your efforts. As we have learned from Janet Marlow, sometimes it really can be just as simple as being aware of your pet’s response to your home environment and continually making changes to keep them happy and balanced.