Why is a calm dog healthier than an anxious dog?

Evaluation of a dog's health and well-being is traditionally focused on the physical state. However, the environment that surrounds our dog through air, smells, and the emotional energy of their home, is an important consideration when we evaluate their health issues. Observing responses to sound can help if the history of the dog is not known due to being rescued. In addition to taking care of the basics of shelter, food, and family, we need to be aware of the vast range of sensitivities, emotions, and behaviors that contribute to doggy wellness triggered by acute hearing.

It's important to realize that canine calm does not mean that your dog is inactive or lying down. Webster defines calm as: not agitated, tranquil, steadiness under stress, peaceful, quiet.

“The most wonderful discovery in my career. 
 With pet anxiety issues it’s 
 a great tool. Every animal benefits in my practice.”

— Dale Krier, DVM Creature Comfort 
Veterinary Clinic

Canine hearing is one of the most overlooked causes of negative behaviors. That’s why Pet Acoustics does the research and provides the solutions, naturally.

As an observer of behavior, you know this sensitivity as stressful behavioral responses to thunderstorms and fireworks by panting, pacing and drooling, from excessive barking in response to sounds at home or on the streets, to lunging at cars, to hiding in bathtubs from ground vibrations.  Noise-stress is a real issue and sometimes hard to resolve. There are also positive responses to sounds, such as nature-environments, human voices, and calming music to accompany the need for intermittent rest as part of their instinct to balance their daily energy. 

A dog's environment can have positive or negative influences on behavior.

You don't have to look further than dog shelters to find examples of high levels of stress, nervousness, fear, and anxiety. We can assume that many of these dogs came from negative environments that created, or at least exacerbated, these conditions. With their loud barks and bodily shivers, they are calling out to us for safety. Thanks to these shelters and the good people who manage them, these animals have a temporary respite until a caring person or family brings them home. Shelters give us a vivid look at white animals need the feeling of connectedness and safety in their environment, whether provided by their own species or hours.

Pet Acoustic music proves to calm during a 90-day study (2014) with The Good Dog Foundation.

Image courtesy The Good Dog Foundation.

Study

Canine Companions and Music: A Study on the impact of music and music speaker design on dogs and their owners (June 19, 2010). Observe the effect of Pet Acoustics music on both pets and owners during training classes, facilitated by Heather White, author and Westchester Executive Trainer and Program Coordinator at The Good Dog Foundation.

Results

80% of participants reported that they felt that the music calmed their dogs as well as themselves.
90% of canines displayed positive reactions as evidenced by their ability to focus on a task at hand with their owner.
86% of canines showed decreased frequency of stress signals and showed neutral to positive body language towards their owners.

The Good Dog Foundation collaborates with researchers, healthcare professionals, and other organizations to promote research studies that document the effects of the human-animal bond on human healing and wellness. While there is much anecdotal evidence supporting the monumental benefits of animal assisted therapy, there is much to be done in the world of scientific research and documentation to help open doors for animal assisted therapy to the healthcare community and beyond.

Mixed dogs with their owners in a Pet Acoustics clinical trial.

Study Utilizing Pet Acoustics with Dogs and Owners​

The study was implemented over a three month period, collecting data via questionnaire and observation from 50 participants and their dogs who participated in obedience classes and therapy dog skills classes through The Good Dog Foundation. Participants were asked to be aware of their dogs at all times throughout each class and asked to report any findings they experienced with their dogs when the dogs were in the presence of Pet Acoustics music and speaker. Dogs and owners were also observed by the class instructor and class assistant for body language and stress signal changes that may occur. The human participants ranged in age from 12 years old to 60 years old with an average of 7 dogs in each class session. The canine participants were comprised of several different breeds of dogs as well as mixed breeds, from all different backgrounds, including dogs from reputable breeders, pet stores, animal shelters and humane societies, and rescue groups. The canine participants ranged in age from 7 months old to 10 years old. The mean and median age of the canine participants was 3 years old.

Summary of Finding

The findings of the above study support the hypothesis that calming music played through the Pet Acoustics music and speaker is beneficial not only to the canine participants, but the owners as well. The majority (75%) of human participants reported that the soundtracks of the Pet Acoustics music playing through the Speaker relaxed them, while the remaining 25% of participants reported that the music was playing and was enjoyable during the class session. 80% of participants reported that they felt that the music playing calmed their dogs as well as themselves, stating, “I think the Pet Speaker is a great tool for promoting calmness”, “I didn’t even realize there was music playing until the very end of class!”, and “The music helped to ground me”. 97% of participants felt that having the Pet Acoustics music speaker present in the room was a beneficial addition to the class atmosphere.

The majority of the canine participants (96%) displayed neutral to positive reactions to the Pet Acoustics music speaker as evidenced by their ability to focus on a task at hand with their owner. The canine participants displayed neutral body language and 86% of the dogs in the classes shown decreased frequency of stress signals and showed neutral to positive body language towards their owners. 4% of canine participants showed elevated stress levels which were not compatible with the therapy dog program and did not continue in class.

Conclusions and Implications

What was most beneficial about the Pet Acoustics Speaker was the aspect of the speaker that takes out the extreme high and low notes in playing music and allows only middle tones to play which seemed to truly and visibly soothe both dogs and their humans during the classes.

It is recommended by this author that the Pet Acoustics music and speakers would be beneficial to dogs in boarding and kennel facilities as well as training classes and also at home. The Pet Acoustics Speaker is a wonderful tool for any dog owner who would like to further foster the bond between themselves and their canine companions.

About The Good Dog Foundation

Since its inception in 1998, The Good Dog Foundation has had a singular mission – using Animal Assisted Intervention to help children and adults heal from the trauma of disease, disability, and disaster.

Music conducted by Janet Marlow, Sound Behaviorist, Founder of Pet Acoustics Inc.

Pet Acoustics continuing 8-month study with Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation.

Lori McClain-Russak, Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation- Pet Acoustics clincial music program to calm dogs used throughout the facility to help German Shepherds in training to become guide dogs for the visually impaired.

Goal

To test the length of time it takes to bring the behavior of each dog into a state of calm and rest while listening to Pet Acoustics frequency modified canine music. Data was collected by a PetPace Collar.

Study

Observe (6) German Shepherds individually, in a high stress behavioral state before and after the music experience. The Pet Tunes music and Ultra Calmer were used alternately. Each dog experience lasted up to 20 minutes to collect the data. The study took place on Sept. 6 and Nov. 15, 2015. at the campus of The Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation in Bloomfield, CT.

Results

90% of the dogs released their states of stress within (5) minutes of listening to the music remaining in a state of calm and rest. One dog took up to 20 minutes to release the stress behavior.

The study showed that Pet Acoustics music used on a daily basis in the kennel is used as an integral part of the service dog training diminishing high stress behaviors during the program resulting in a calmer dog for service.

The chart above show alert position of each dog relaxing into a laying down position into calm and rest after listening to the music through the speaker and through the Ultra Calmer collar device.

About Fidelco

Charlie and Robbie Kaman's intuitive knowledge of how German Shepherd dogs could help people who are legally blind live more normal lives was the genesis of the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation.
Beginning in 1960, the work done by this innovative couple and ever-growing group of dedicated and tireless staff, volunteers and supporters has reached out and touched thousands of clients' and family members' lives.

Today, Fidelco is an internationally-recognized leader in the guide dog industry. And the legacy of dedication and quality given to the organization by the Kaman’s will guide Fidelco for generations to come. Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation 103 Vision Way Bloomfield, CT 06002 Fidelco.Org

The Fidelco German Shepherd Dog, we describe them as "a breed within a breed." The Fidelco German Shepherd was created from Bavarian stock. It is an outstanding and exclusive product of selective breeding from strong working lines and has evolved to be truly a breed within a breed. Our dogs possess the characteristics of the ideal working guide; intelligence, temperament, stamina and stability. They are responsible for our clients’ safety at all times. This formidable task requires us to have an uncompromising focus on the quality of the breed, which is a hallmark of the Fidelco shepherd.

Conducted by Janet Marlow, Sound Behaviorist.

Pet Acoustics music proves calming during an 8-month study with Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation.

Janet Marlow, composer and researcher brought Pet Tunes Canine speaker to the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation in Bloomfield, CT. The Guide Dogs in training listened to the canine designed music and in 2 1/2 minutes consistently each dog laid down in a state of rest and comfort.

Study

Observe (12) German Shepherds individually in a high stress behavioral state, before and after the music experience. staffed by Lori McClain Russak, Manager and Tommy Mourad, Head Trainer. Fidelco Foundation Nine Month Study in collaboration with Pet Acoustics Inc. Janet Marlow, Sound Behaviorist March - Nov. 2015

Results

90% of the dogs released their states of stress within (5) minutes of listening to the music, remaining in a state of calm and rest.

Details

Starting in March, 2015 Janet Marlow and the Pet Acoustics team set up Pet Tunes canine music and multiple speakers in three large kennel areas at the Fidelco Guide Dog Campus, encompassing over 70 German Shepherds. Each area had dogs in different stages of training.

The music was played at different times of the day during training and for rest time and after meals. Behavioral responses were observed over 9 months. The results concluded that the overall behaviors of the dogs were in a happier and calmer state. This is a desired behavioral state because of the important work becoming guide dogs being able to fit into family life with their companion. The study was coordinated by Lori McClain-Russak, Manager of Kennel Operations, Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. and Tommy Mourad, Head Trainer.

Musicians and animals both understand the power of communication behind sound. They use volume and pitch to express themselves and understand environmental harmony.

How will my dog react and behave around the baby? How will the scent and sounds of the baby affect our beloved dog?”

Your dog and the new baby the new baby is coming and your dog has always been well-established focus of attention in the family.  Many couples are concerned when they anticipate the birth of their baby. A new baby is an adjustment for people and dogs alike to smooth the transition consider your dog's needs for your attention as a scheduled part of your day. While you are with your baby, play Pet Tunes for dogs to keep the atmosphere calm. The music will mask some of the commotion around the baby and the sounds of the newborn. Make sure a member of your family gives your dog full of tension each day with a long walk outdoors or a toss of a toy. Dogs instincts for family are so similar to ours that in a short time your dog will instinctively understand the new home life scenario. Here are some tips:

• Give your dog plenty of attention when the baby is around. You don’t want him to decide good things only happen when the baby isn’t around.

• Don’t scold the dog for picking up the baby’s toys. You don’t want the smell of the baby being associated with anything negative. Simply replace the child’s toy with the dog’s toy.

• Babies change quickly, and it can be difficult for the dog to adapt as quickly.

• Once your baby begins to crawl, make sure that he/she doesn’t pull on the dog’s tail or ears. Snapping and growling are natural canine behaviors when they are trying to communicate a warning. Even the most tolerant dog has its limits!

• Never leave even the most trusted dog alone with a baby or small child!

• Have “safety zones” for the dog. A safe zone is a private space – a crate, a bed, a gated laundry room, etc. where he or she can get away when the activity is too much for him or her. Children should not be allowed to “invade” the dog’s private space.

• It is OK to keep the dog out of the baby’s room with a gate, etc., especially if he is curious and attempts to jump on the crib or changing table.