Studies have shown playing the right music can have a powerful and calming influence on dogs and cats.
Sound is a major factor of our surroundings, especially in today’s loud, fast-paced world. Noise pollution can be a significant stressor for both animals and humans, while healing music can calm us and improve our lives.
Sound consists of waves of energy. How fast a wave is traveling, or its frequency, is measured in hertz (Hz). One Hz is defined as one wave cycle per second. Humans hear frequencies of 20 to 20, 000 Hz, while dogs hear a much wider range of 40 to 65,000 Hz.
Loudness is measured in decibels (dB). Hearing damage occurs at 100dB, but can also be caused by prolonged exposure to noise levels above 85dB – a level frequently reached in animal shelter environments.
As you can see from the below, many of us are at risk for hearing loss:
Whisper 30dB Traffic 70dB
Conversation 50dB Lawnmower 90dB
Alarm clock 70dB Rock concert 130dB
Resonance and entrainment
Psychoacoustics is a discipline that studies how humans perceive sound – how we listen, our psychological responses, and the physiological impact of music and sound on the nervous system. Bioacoustics, meanwhile, is the study of sound perception in animals. It looks at how animals communicate, as well as the positive and negative effects of sound in their environments.
Two of the most important principles of psychoacoustics and bioacoustics are resonance and entrainment.
Resonance describes the effect of one vibration (or frequency) on another. For example, placing a tuning fork on the spine allows the sound vibration to resonate through the entire nervous system.
Entrainment is the process by which sound rhythms cause major body systems (heart rate, brain waves and breath) to naturally speed up or slow down. For example, if we listen to slow music, our pulse and breathing will decrease.
The orienting response
Pattern identification is another component of bioacoustics and psychoacoustics, and is related to the complexity of sound. When a new pattern is introduced, the focus of the brain turns to this sensory input. This is termed active listening. Once the pattern has been processed, the brain returns to a passive hearing state.
This is an instinctive process that also occurs in animals. This orienting response is a survival mechanism, and is especially important in prey animals. The ear pinna of dogs and cats allow the reception of sound to occur on a much more sensitive level than in humans. We have all witnessed the sudden arousal of an animal when an unusual or loud sound is heard. While the orienting response is important for the animal’s survival, it also has some negative consequences in domestic environments, where he is exposed to sounds that may continually activate his orienting response. Even though these environmental sounds may not elicit overt fear, the ongoing instinctive reaction to sudden noise can interrupt the animal’s relaxed state.
Music is the answer
The effects of music have been well documented in humans, and studies with domestic and other animals have revealed that music also has a powerful effect on them. For example, studies showed that country music can calm ponies while classical music helped cows produce more milk and improved the growth rate of chickens. A recent study in cats demonstrated that calming music increased the depth of anesthesia during surgery. Dolphins, meanwhile, have been known to swim in synchrony to Bach.
A study done in Ireland found that classical music is the preferred calming sound source in dog shelters. Research done by Through a Dog’s Ear took this a step further and applied the principles of resonance, entrainment, and the orienting response to classical music selections. It discovered that slow, psychoacoustically-arranged single instrument (piano) music had the most calming effects. Upwards of 70% of dogs in shelters and veterinary offices, and 85% of dogs in home environments, became noticeably calmer with this music. It was also found to reduce twice as many anxiety behaviors in fearful dogs as standard classical selections did. Many animal shelters are now benefitting from programs that provide calming music for their residents.
Music is a wonderful tool for relaxation and healing. I hope you and your animal companion can discover its potential together.
Do a sonic evaluation
You may want to do a sonic evaluation of your home, especially if you have an anxious or reactive dog or cat. Take a few minutes to listen to and note down all the sounds you (and your animal) hear — the results may surprise you. We humans are masters at tuning out what’s happening around us, so your environment may be noisier than you realize.
Remember that our nervous systems also have an orienting response, so creating a healthy sound environment with appropriate music may improve your well-being as well as that of your four-legged family member.
by Susan Wagner, dvm
Five things to do with your dog this weekend!
1. Visit somewhere new
Just because it’s getting colder, it doesn’t mean that you and your dog should stop exploring new places. Lots of beaches have their ‘no dogs allowed’ restrictions lifted during the autumn and winter months, so take the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful British coastlines while they are quiet! Visit www.goodbeachguide.co.uk to find places where your pet will be welcome.
2. Teach your dog a new trick
If you already have an obedient dog, you could teach him a new party trick which can be done outside or in the comfort of your home — for example, to take a bow. While your dog is standing facing you, take a small treat in one hand and place it right in front of his nose. Very slowly lower the treat towards the ground just between his front paws; as his nose follows it, his front end will go downwards while his back end stays in the air, making it look as though he’s taking a bow. Praise and reward him. Gradually increase the time he stays in the bow, and also begin moving your hand less, but continue to bend forwards — this becomes your cue, but to anyone watching, it will look as though you’re politely bowing to each other.
3. Pamper your dog
The colder weather has brought with it some rain, so inevitably dog walks are going to get a lot muddier over the coming months. Giving your dog a good groom (and possibly a bath if he’s really muddy), will keep his coat tangle-free and manageable. Although it can be tempting to keep your dog’s coat long during winter to keep him warm, consider booking him in for a trim with your local dog groomer (or attempt to do it yourself) and putting a waterproof dog jacket on him when he goes for a walk so that his coat is kept dry. Shorter coats will dry quicker too!
4. Fireworks preparation
If your dog is scared of fireworks, now is the time to start planning and preparing him to cope with the festivities. One way to do this is by buying a CD of fireworks noises or downloading them, along with instructions on how to introduce the treatment programme. At first, play the sounds quietly for short periods of time, gradually increasing the volume and duration. You’ll find plenty more Bonfire Night survival tips in our October issue, available from the Your Dog Shop.
5. Cuddles
There’s nothing better than going for a long autumnal dog walk and then curling up in front of the fire with a warm blanket, cup of tea, and a copy of your favourite magazine, with your four-legged friend on your lap or by your feet. So, relax and enjoy!
Archie Darby (left) died in the attack and his brother Daniel-Jay Darby was left with serious injuries
Parents have paid tribute to their four-month old son who was killed in a dog attack, and his 22-month-old brother who was seriously injured.
Archie Darby died after he was attacked by the dog at his home in Colchester, Essex. His brother Daniel-Jay Darby is in hospital.
In a statement, their parents said they “were such happy little loveable boys”.
Essex Police said the dog – believed to have been a “Staffordshire bull terrier-type” – had been put down.
Their mother sustained minor injuries in the attack inside the house in Harwich Road on Thursday afternoon.
Media caption Neighbour Dave Thompson said the dog looked like a Staffordshire bull terrier
The boys’ parents, who asked not to be named, issued a statement saying: “Our beautiful sons Archie Joe Darby and Daniel-Jay Darby are so, so loved by us all and were such happy little loveable boys.
“It doesn’t seem real that our little Archie Bum has gone to heaven and our little Daniel is in intensive care because of a tragic, tragic incident involving a dog attack.
“We have lost our gorgeous little four-month-old baby and our beautiful 22-month-old boy is currently being treated for his injuries.
“Heaven has gained a beautiful little angel and he will be greatly missed by us all and our other little soldier is still fighting strong.
“Please, please, please can you all respect our privacy at this time.”
Floral tribute
Image caption
Floral tributes with hand-written messages were left outside the house where the attack took place
Daniel-Jay was left with “life-changing injuries” in the attack and is being treated at a specialist unit.
A somber reminder to us all what can happen when things go wrong between Dogs and Humans.
My thoughts are with the family at this tragic and unimaginably painful time.
Four Paws Dog Raffles having fun at Waitrose Green in Wimborne!
Really proud of Raffles on his dog walk as there was a lot of noise from the builders and he just trotted on past. We had a fun time with Raffles meeting lot of his doggie friends.
Well done Raffles! What a Star!
PDSA Help a Vet, help a Pet. Dogs, cats and more!
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Thousands of runners pushed themselves to the limit in this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon – and Team PDSA was right there amongst them!
Ballot applications for the Virgin Money London Marathon 2017 are now closed.
If you enter the ballot, you will find out at the start of October 2017 whether or not you have been successful. If you have not heard from the Virgin London Marathon organisers by then, call the helpdesk on 020 7902 0200.
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However you support us, just remember you are helping to help vets help pets.
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Here at Woofability we’re looking for enthusiastic and caring families or individuals in Dorset to help raise our puppies for a year – from 10 weeks to 14 months.
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Tooth of an Alsatian dog discovered a mile from Stonehenge.
Archaeologists have discovered evidence of what they believe is the earliest known journey in British history: a 250-mile trip from York to Wiltshire made 7,000 years ago by a Mesolithic hunter-gatherer and his dog.
Scientific investigation of a dog’s tooth found at a site one mile from Stonehenge has thrown up a number of exciting discoveries, said archaeologist David Jacques, who leads the team digging at an encampment site called Blick Mead.
For one thing, it shows that Mesolithic man was using a domesticated dog, probably for hunting. But more fascinating is that the animal originally came from an area that is now the Vale of York, suggesting the pair made a long, gruelling journey.
Jacques said the findings showed the dog and people with it came to what is now Wiltshire. This is the earliest evidence of a journey that has been unearthed in Britain.
The clinching evidence was found by researchers at Durham University, who carried out an isotope analysis of the tooth enamel, which showed the dog drank water that came from the Vale of York area. They also speculate that the dog would have been roughly the same size, shape and colour of an alsatian, albeit more wolf-like.
Jacques said the Durham analysis was “a world first, it’s a big deal,” that substantially increased what archaeologists know about Blick Mead. “It is very hazy and this evidence just makes the glass slightly less dark, it is a significant movement forwards,” he said.
Previously, artefacts had been found which implied Mesolithic man had travelled long distances to get to the site. Jacques and his team believe people were coming to the spot over a near 4,000-year period, from 7900BC to 4000BC.
“It is an amazing sequence,” he added. “There is nothing like it in Europe and now we’ve got this evidence from the dog you start to piece it together. You can see that this place seems to have special to not just local people, it seems to have been drawing in people from long distances away and the sort of distances you would not expect for mobile hunter-gatherers.”
Jacques has led University of Buckingham digs at Blick Mead for nearly a decade, believing the area is key to the beginnings of people living in Britain because evidence of occupancy covers such a long period of time.
Today (3rd) on the anniversary of her passing, we commemorate our incredible founder Mary Tealby and her pioneering work in animal welfare.
