What Dogs Hear: Understanding Canine Hearing and Behavior by Janet Marlow

Dogs live in a richly layered soundscape that profoundly shapes their behavior, emotions, and relationships with humans. From the earliest days of puppyhood through their senior years, hearing is one of a dog’s primary ways of understanding the world—guiding learning, social bonding, communication, and emotional regulation. A dog’s auditory system is exquisitely tuned to detect subtle shifts in pitch, rhythm, and environmental sound, often perceiving information long before it is visible or tactile.

From the reassuring cadence of a trusted human voice to the distant cues of approaching activity, sound informs a dog’s sense of safety, territory, and connection. As puppies, hearing supports neurological development and social learning; as adults, it plays a central role in behavior, focus, and stress response; and in senior dogs, changes in hearing can subtly influence anxiety, orientation, and quality of life.

This 112-page eBook offers a comprehensive exploration of canine auditory perception and its direct impact on behavior and well-being. Blending scientific research with practical, real-world applications, What Dogs Hear provides insight into how sound can be intentionally shaped to support calm, confidence, and emotional balance. Designed for dog guardians, veterinarians, trainers, and behavior professionals, this book invites readers to listen more closely—revealing how understanding what dogs hear can deepen trust, improve care, and strengthen the human-canine bond.