Music That’s Made Just for Dogs Helps Anxiety and Depression

by Diana Faria

Published: January 26th, 2016

music thats made just for dogs helps anxiety and depression

You can Kickstart an album of tail-wagging tunes. “Songs for Dogs and the People who Love them” hopes to ease your dog’s mind by filling your home with dog-friendly music.

I’ve always wondered what my dog does at home when everyone has gone off to work for the day. I’d like to think she’d run around on the tiled kitchen floor, skidding merrily with her tongue and long, dachshund ears flittering in the wind. But the truth is, I always find her in one of three places: curled up in her doggy bed, on the couch or (her personal favorite) snuggled up against my pillows.

The unfortunate truth is that pooches may become extremely bored, anxious or even develop depression when you’re away. Taylor Brown aims to change the way your dog feels when you’re gone by filling your home with music from his album dubbed “Songs for Dogs and the People who Love them”… but he needs your help to do it. Taylor has started a Kickstarter campaign to finance his dream to get you and your dog’s tail waggin’.

If you’re sitting there thinking, “Why on earth would I help someone make a CD for my dog?” you’re not alone. But hear me out, as there is a science behind this. Close your eyes and think of your jam – the one song that makes you want to get up and shake your hips to its infectiously happy rhythm. There’s something about the universal sound of music that makes you happy inside and believe it or not, dogs have it too.

Dogs associate new behaviors through sound, especially that of a human voice. Think about it – your furry child doesn’t know what you’re saying, but they can recognize anger, sadness and happiness purely by the sound of your voice. By including a cheery voice in this album’s songs, the dog associates that tone of voice with happiness. If you’re still skeptical, all you need to think about is the last time there was a thunderstorm. If your pooch is anything like mine (who whimpers and hides in the laundry basket, under the bed or wine cellar) you can understand that even the distant sound of lightning is enough to downright terrify them. Dogs associate sounds with experiences, just like we do, both good and bad.

Dogs and humans also go through a mental process called entrainment, in which our heart rate and brain activity naturally responds and syncs to consistent rhythms, sounds and speeds around us. The music in “Songs for Dogs and the People who Love them” is especially calibrated to maximize the entrainment value in your dog. Because these are dog-friendly sounds and music, your dog may temporarily forget that you are out of the house because suddenly, your home isn’t an awful, scary silent prison when you’re out. Over time, your pooch will associate this music with good feelings and experiences and, like us, develop good memories to its tune.

Taylor’s happy tunes aren’t just for your pooch, although they will definitely reap most of the rewards. Once you’ve received Taylor’s album, both you and your furry companion can kick back, relax, and listen to it a few times together. Then, once it’s time to start your day, simply pop the CD into your player before you leave and let your home be filled with comforting, dog-friendly sounds that will ease your dog’s mind and lull them into a happy state of mind.

To help this album reach the top of the charts, rock on over to the official Kickstarter campaign page and secure your own download when it gets released.

Diana Faria

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How Do I Make a DIY Nail Board for My Dog?

Maintaining your dog’s nails is essential to their overall health and well-being, but it can be challenging if your dog is uncomfortable with the nail clippers and other standard tools. While you could pay to bring your dog to the veterinarian each time a trim is needed, there are other options.Our pup Lucifer is nervous anytime someone touches his paws as a result of injuries to his front legs as a young rescue pup. This means that nail trims are a source of extreme anxiety.While we continue working on counterconditioning and helping him overcome his fears, we knew we needed to find a solution for the here and now. Enter the DIY nail board – a simple, budget-friendly alternative to that dreaded nail trim. The board is an oversized nail file that you then train your dog to use at their own pace. It’s a great way to build your dog’s confidence and strengthen your bond while keeping their nails in shape.Can I Use a Regular Nail File on My Dog’s Nails?While you could use a regular human nail file on your dog’s nails, it likely isn’t going to do the job. A dog’s nails are far stronger than our fingernails. Most emery boards and standard nail files will fail to make a dent in their surface, with many falling apart from the wear. If you want a nail file that can be used on your pet, I recommend purchasing a product specifically for dogs, like the Coastal Pet Safari Dog Diamond Nail File.What is a Scratch Board for Dogs?A scratch board is like a nail file; it provides a coarse surface that will help wear your dog’s nails down. The difference is that it is larger in size. Rather than bringing the file to a dog’s nails, the dog is trained to paw at the board and file their nails down. This means they are in complete control over when their nails touch the surface, which is much more comfortable for dogs that may suffer from stress or anxiety. It also means no one will need to handle their paws during nail care.Do Scratch Boards Work for Dog Nails?Yes! If your dog is taught to use a scratch board, they are a highly effective way of filing down their nails. This works much like how their ancestor’s nails would be worn down in the wild. As a dog runs and walks on rough surfaces or digs through coarse dirt, the tiny particles of dirt and stone wear away at the nail.Domesticated dogs may spend some time outdoors running around or digging, but many don’t engage in these behaviors as much as they would in the wild. They aren’t foraging for food daily or running to avoid predators and hunt down prey. This is why domestic dogs need regular nail maintenance, but wild dogs like wolves and coyotes function fine without this additional level of care.As your dog digs at or scratches the board, their nails run along the coarse surface. This allows you to fast-track the wear and tear they would naturally experience.Where Do I Get a Dog Scratch Board?You can purchase a nail board online or at your local pet store, depending on your preferences and budget. You can also DIY your own nail board. Some of the unique commercially made scratch boards you may want to consider for your dog include: Skuun Dog Scratch Pad for Nails: This is a veterinarian-approved board with an anti-slip surface and treat pocket. Zenly Paws Dog Nail File Toy: It combines a scratch pad with a food puzzle toy to make training your dog to file their nails easier and more enjoyable. LovIntry M-Shaped Dog Scratch Pad for Nails: The unique M-shaped design makes it easier to file the nails further back on your dog’s paws if they only file their front nails on a flat board.

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