I started the journey into the study of canine hearing and the responses to sound in 1994. My first research was looking up information in veterinary medical books to learn about the effects of sound on the canine ear. To my surprise, there was no information on behavioral responses to sound but solely on ear structure. My curiosity grew stronger and inspired me towards finding out more about canine hearing. It became clear to me that this was an overlooked area of canine and feline life.

I wrote to world leaders in the study of animal hearing such as H.E. Hefner and R.S. Hefner at the University of Toledo Laboratory of Animal Comparative Hearing asking them for copies of their research. I received these papers which showed hearing ranges of animals from chickens to bats in decibels and frequencies. Over three years, I began formulating a concept. I focused on canine and feline hearing ranges first as these are the most common companion animals. By acknowledging that dog and cat hyper-vigilant behavior is triggered by high and low ranges for survival, I thought surely this is occurring behaviorally in our homes. Are pet behaviors being triggered by sound and overlooked because these agitating sounds are not being heard by humans? What can be provided for pets to help them feel calm?

The concept soon solidified in my mind. By eliminating these alert levels in our pet's environment, the result should elicit calm. Relating this to my dogs and cats who demonstrated their soothing as I practiced for performances, I saw music as the answer. As a recording artist in my studio, I was adept at manipulating sound modifying decibel and frequency content. This was the beginning of my journey.

In 1997, I invented species-specific music which is music designed for the hearing comfort range of dogs, cats, horses and birds to help balance behaviors. Since then, proven clinical studies, published research, awards and thousands of products sold globally have been a solution for separation anxiety and noise phobias for pet parents, veterinarians and shelters disbursed through my corporation, Pet Acoustics.

In 2020, I’m continuing animal hearing research in collaboration with veterinary research institutes around the world, most recently in the agricultural field for pigs and cows. Janet Marlow, Founder of Pet Acoustics.

Shai, a Golden Retriever was the Service dog for a woman who had a physical disability. Shai’s  job was to be by her side for stability and provide emotional comfort for her as she went to public places.   Shai and his person were inseparable. At a town celebration one day, Shai and his person stood by the road, where to their ears, a 21-gun salute fired near them. Shai was closest to the firing and  his hearing was stunned into near deafness and his cognitive abilities went into a severe degree of paralysis. His owner brought Shai to the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine to see if Shai could be brought back to some level of normalcy with therapeutic protocols. Shai worked with a veterinary behaviorist and after three months, Shai was returned to his person with a good balance of behaviors. However, there was one issue that was not resolved. With any sudden volume spike in an environment Shai would be triggered back  into toxic stress.

I know of this story because Shai’s owner reached out to me as a sound behaviorist to see if I had any solutions for Shai so that she could continue taking him with her in public as a support dog. I had recently developed a collar device that emits soft tones and music designed for the hearing comfort range for dogs to elicit calm during thunderstorms and firework events. I immediately sent the Ultra Calmer to her after hearing her serious situation to see if this would help.  Shai’s owner received the collar and she started using it on him to go to doctor visits and restaurants. The Ultra Calmer device is placed on the back of the neck between the ears to mask sound and to access the dog’s nervous system to help calm noise stress. It worked well for Shai.

In this video Shai is remaining calm during a thunderstorm and during their home demolition. The collar was a success for Shai helping him at home and in public places with his person continuing to have her beloved dog by her side. A happy ending to an intense situation that I was gratified to be part of. 

Dr. Dale. Krier, In-Home Veterinary Care

Dr. Dale Krier, an extraordinary veterinarian, friend and colleague and I spoke of her mobile practice during these days of Covid-19. Veterinary care in hospital practices are now complicated as you and your family want to be with your dog during euthanasia but vets are not allowing families in with their pet as a precaution. Hear Dr. Dale Krier's amazing and heartfelt stories of her In-Home visits and care embrace the heart of the human-animal family. Please visit her website: www.drdalekrier.com Presented by www.PetAcoustics.com and interviewed by Janet Marlow, CEO and Sound Behaviorist.

Dr. Dale Krier, an extraordinary veterinarian, friend and colleague and I spoke of her mobile practice during these days of Covid-19. Veterinary care in hospital practices are now complicated as you and your family want to be with your dog during euthanasia but vets are not allowing families in with their pet as a precaution. Hear Dr. Dale Krier's amazing and heartfelt stories of her In-Home visits and care embrace the heart of the human-animal family. Please visit her website: www.drdalekrier.com Presented by www.PetAcoustics.com and interviewed by Janet Marlow, CEO and Sound Behaviorist.

Introduction Podcast to Janet Marlow’s Upcoming Book What Dogs Hear Matters: From Puppy to Senior

Download a free calming song for your friends and family.

During these challenging times, it’s important to remember that human anxiety is passed onto our pets. Pet Acoustics wants to help every member in your household find calm with music tunes for dogs, cats, horses and small animals.

Enjoy this free bonus download from our Song of the Month subscription service.

Link expires on 4/30/2020.

Music composed by Janet Marlow. Copyright © 2015 Library of Congress. Copyright © 2020 Pet Acoustics, Inc. All rights reserved.

Song of the Month

Subscribe and create your own pet calming library.

Dear friends, Dogs and Cats Hear Much, Much More is now free to download and enjoy.

Do you, or your friends and family have children at home during these challenging times? Please share this fully illustrated book for fun and educational entertainment. Please forward to your friends.

Author Janet Marlow is founder of Pet Acoustics and a Sound Behaviorist.

Have you wondered why your cat magically slips away before you hear a knock on your door? Or why he becomes agitated before you detect any sign of a thunderstorm?

In the air, where sound and noise travel, exist sounds above and below human hearing. But our amazing cats hear them! Feline hearing is three times greater than human hearing. A cat’s ability to detect faint sounds and high pitches is astounding  -- one of their most important senses for survival in nature.

In order for us to better understand our beloved feline friends, we must become aware of their amazing hearing ability.   Very low or very high frequencies and strong vibrations may remain invisible to human ears, but in cats, they trigger strong behavioral responses. A loud drum roll from a music sound system can easily cause your cat to feel stress and run away.   Sound can also attract our curious friends. They can hear an insect wing vibrating on the window, nocturnal sounds in the backyard and city streets, the high pitched whine of the computer, the crinkle of the treat package, and the music-to-their-ears can you’re opening for their dinner.

Most cat breeds have upright ears, which make responding to sound easy. Cats have 30 to 32 ear muscles, depending on the breed. For this reason,  a cat can easily turn its ears for surround sound-like hearing. Watch your cat’s behavior in response to sounds as a way to learn what he is experiencing in his world.  

 Sometimes cats sit very still and stare at the ground. Their keen hearing is detecting movement. Cats are good mice hunters because they can hear the high squeaks and tiny movements that a mouse can produce. In fairness, a mouse can also hear the cat approaching, because it can hear sounds at an even higher and lower range than a cat. That’s the game of cat and mouse!

Just a little science about sound…

The 19th-century German physicist Heinrich Hertz discovered how to measure pitch, called a frequency. A frequency (Hz) can be a very high pitch, all the way down to a very low pitch. When your cat wants to be vocal -- to get a treat or your attention -- it will talk in high frequencies. You can hear an upward lift in pitch at the end of their meows, like an endearing question. Their adorable treat requests seem to work every time!  And we often express our affection by talking to our cats in a high-pitched voice. Instinctively, we sense this is the most comfortable level for cats to hear. You are absolutely right! 

The measurement of volume is called a decibel. This term is attributed to the inventor Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922). Decibels are very soft to very loud volumes of sound. When your cat runs from a sudden loud sound, like a shot of thunder or a door slamming, it is feeling the physical pressure of sound in the inner ear. 

 Here is a chart that shows the hearing range of a human, horse, dog and cat. You can see that cats have the ability to hear sounds that humans, horses and dogs cannot. Humans hear up to a range of 20,000 Hz. Cats hear up to a range of 64,000 Hz. Isn’t that incredible! 

Normal human conversation is at a volume range from 60-80 dB (decibels).  Cats hear sound comfortably at this range also. You and your cat are a perfect team! Now you can understand why thunderstorms can be highly stressful for many cats. Storms create decibel levels at approximately 120 dB -- almost twice your cat’s hearing comfort zone. In addition to these acute sensitivities, the intense vibration of sound felt through their bodies and paws adds to their agitation.

Sonic Perspective

Learn your home from your cat’s perspective. Take some time and follow your cat around the house to see and hear what he or she is experiencing. You’ll be amazed at how many sounds you discover  in your home: high and low, loud and soft. Your cat’s sonic life exits at  several different heights. Their ears are about one to one and a half feet from the floor; they’re at ear level with us on the couch; and they can also climb to high-perches.  So tune into your house to feel the vibrations through the floor with your hands, put your ear to the refrigerator or computer to hear the hum and frequencies, key into the rumble of trucks on the road and the sounds of planes in the sky coming through the window. This is their sonic world. Oh! And cats are picky about your music too! If you are playing music that disturbs their Zen, they will leave the room. If she likes your music, a cat will find the best spot in the room to listen, curl up and rest. They are nature’s acoustic scientists!

Your cat’s amazing ability to hear and respond to sound is a fascinating and important part of her life. Become a keen observer of your cat’s ears and responses to sound and you will become part of her invisible world of sounds.

Shop Pet Tunes Cats

Pet Acoustics has a fun solution for your dog and it's all in the walk. Make walks more fun, vigorous and beneficial.

We do walk our dogs over 10,000 times during their lifetime and ours for that matter so what's the trick to changing it up and have a healthier life for your dog?

Collars
Use a halter or harness for vigorous walking. If you use a collar make sure it doesn’t pull on the the dog’s throat for control.

Leashes
Should be six feet long. For better control use a four-foot leash.  This will keep your dog close to your body as you change your pace.

Water
Make sure to bring water with you especially if you are going a longer distance than just your average pee and poo walk. There are many good products on the market to choose from.

Pace- People walking with their dogs can walk 25 minutes per mile.  Dogs can handle brisk pacing so curb your dog from stopping at every bush to keep the walk moving.

Leash Technique
Dogs love a vigorous walk and by keeping the leash close will indicate to your dog that you too, are moving alongside and keeping up with their pace.

Setting Goals
For most overweight dogs or dogs with obesity and have normal heart and lung function, normal blood pressure, and no other pre-existing medical conditions or injuries, start with thirty-minute walk five times per week.  As always check with your dog's veterinarian before starting any exercise program

Monthly Weight
You can visit your veterinarian to weigh your dog anytime and give them the number to record for your next official visit. Some pet stores also have scales to use and check weight. Additionally, at the veterinarian have a veterinary technician inspect the pads and legs for any issues and to ensure the nails are short and healthy. In time your dog's ideal weight will be reached to maintain for health.

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.