through a Dog's Ear

So, I picked up this CD called through a Dog’s Ear: Music to Calm Your Canine Companion, Volume 1, with thoughts of helping soothe Meadow and Leah during thunderstorms and fireworks. According to the accompanying booklet, Pianist Lisa Spector came up with the idea for this disc while rearing Guide Dogs for the Blind pups. Whenever she sat down in front of her keys, the little bundles of trouble would stop creating havoc, pile up under the Steinway piano, and crash.

This got her thinking….

She approached Joshua Leeds, a psychoacoustician, with the idea, and at first he balked. But then, upon thinking it over, he said Hmmmmmm……

Mr. Leeds started researching if music could truly calm a canine, and well, the rest is history.

The music on this particular volume is intended to help dogs that suffer from separation anxiety, thunderstorm and firework phobia, excitement with visitors, stress in the household, and stress while boarding. It is not intended to be played while riding in the car – as it can put humans to sleep.

Right now, I’m at the stage of only using it during happy times so the dogs associate it with good things, like at this very moment. No fireworks. The sky is clear. Everyone’s bellies are full.

The results?

Leah is not staring out the window, barking at the neighbor’s feral cats, or the day laborers who live across the street as they come and go.

Toby is not pacing, touching my coffee mug, stealing my slippers, or moving around from toy to toy.

Meadow is not following him, sitting over him, staring, waiting for her opportunity to pilfer his possessions.

Instead, all three are sprawled out on their mats, out cold.

This is the fourth time I’ve used the CD, with the same results – each and every time. The last time I played it, Meadow actually put herself to bed.

We’ll see how well it works when I actually use it for fireworks and thunder, but for now, I would highly recommend it for anyone whose dog doesn’t have an off switch!

Vizsla and Labrador people perhaps???