Charley, Stella Vader and I have a night time regime that if we don’t follow it Charley starts getting fussy and seems to pout. 

Animals know what time it is by our actions. I’ve realized they are a lot like children. They like structure. 

Charley and Stella know when it is breakfast time. They know when it is dinner time. Charley knows what time I take her out for a long walk in the morning, and what time at night she gets to do the same thing. They become creatures of habit, kind of like me.

So one of our routines is every night we go to bed at 10 o clock p.m., and we turn on the little blue tooth stereo that I hook up with my phone and go on YouTube and find “music to sleep by”, or “rain sounds for sleep,” or the favorite one for her is “soft jazz.” 

She doesn’t like jazz with words I’ve noticed, because it seems it doesn’t mellow her out like smooth instrumental jazz. One of her favorite is Dr. Sax Love. I don’t know much about him/them but it is really nice background music. We fall asleep to whatever seems to fit for that night. It’s cute because Stella enjoys the music as well. She curls up onto her little chair and falls asleep with us. It’s a nice nightly ritual. 

Or maybe it’s just me thinking they like those things. What do you call that? Ah.. Projection. 

Yeah, Charley is a blanket/pillow gal. She sleeps in the bed with me. 

But there is some truth to music and animals. 

One thing I read in the book “HOW TO BE YOUR DOG’S BEST FRIEND” by The New Monks of New Skete, is that dogs do respond to what they call “radio training.” 

“Some say rock is the best socialization music for pups, and others swear by classical music.” They said that even the effects of playing Beethoven for dairy cows have a positive effect on the milk production, something that is well known by farmers.

There have been no specific studies on music with dogs but their experience (The New Monks of New Skete) is that music can be a benefit for dogs, as long as there is care taken to not bombard them with loud music, or a station that has people arguing. I agree. I’ve seen Charley’s demeanor change depending on what type of music is playing. 

The radio or music source can also help a dog spending long periods of time at home mellow out if tuned into a classical station, or soft rock. During the day that is exactly what I do. I notice that Charley does quite well with this because when I come home she’ll be lounging and not really react to when I get home. She doesn’t seem all stressed out and begging for my attention.  

She still is happy to see me, though. 

I’ve just really noticed how music can set the tone in the house for me and Stella and Charley. I highly recommend for people who have to leave their animals for a period of time during the day to try out leaving some nice music on and see that it has a great affect on pets. It really works!

Stella Vader listening to soft jazz: