Does My Dog Love My Dulcimer Music?

by Linda Ratcliff

Where there are dogs and music, people have a good time.




I've always wondered if my hammered dulcimer music hurts my dog's ears. When I was in college and practiced piano for hours at a time, my dad would escape to the garage in desperation and hammer nails for a while, and my dog would eventually start to howl.

Today, when I'm practicing on my hammered dulcimer, I play some pretty high tones. But Keyla always sits in the chair right next to me and stays with me the whole time. Does she love me so much she just puts up with it, or does she actually enjoy my music?

I read an article about Lisa Spector to find out more about whether dogs like music. Lisa is a concert pianist and Juilliard graduate who discovered that music could help dogs. Her findings led to 15 hours of albums, a portable player, the iCalmDog, and now, music for cats. Today you can find CDs to calm your dog on Amazon.
Lisa saw great results when her team played calm and soothing music in animal shelters. She explained, “What happens is it creates a quieter environment, because the dogs stop barking and they settle down. Not only are they more relaxed, but because it’s quieter, visitors stay longer and adoption rates increase. I’ve had a shelter manager call me and say ‘Lisa, this is the first phone conversation I’ve been able to have in ten years where I can hear you.’ “ 
What about your dog? Does it love dulcimer music as much as you do? As always, if you have any questions, always feel free to ask Steve or myself.
Happy dulcimering, Linda

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