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Comments

• [1] AR from brooklyn April 07, 2008 - 01:44PM

  As an experiment I played some mellow Chopin for my dog after ordering pizza last night. Clementine barks madly at any delivery person or guest. When the pizza arrived she barked a couple of times but was quickly calmed at my command (more than usual). I don't know if the music soothed her, but it defenitely soothed me, and maybe she was picking up on that.

  
  
• [2] Tom Parker from Upper West Side, NYC April 07, 2008 - 02:05PM

  John,

  40 years ago, when my brother and I were in High School and Junior High, respectively, our St. Bernard (named "Erich" after maestro Leinsdorf....We lived in Massachusetts!) would run from the living room whenever my brother cranked up the rock music. Once the stereo system was back under my control and playing the classics Erich would return and sleep happily in front of the speakers.

  Cheers,

  Tom Parker

  
  
• [3] LVK from All over the place April 07, 2008 - 02:16PM

  Years ago I found both my dogs mesmerized by the first few minutes of Xanadu off of Exit Stage Left. But they did not care for Rush otherwise.

  
  
• [4] Jonathan from Brooklyn April 07, 2008 - 02:19PM

  I look forward to trying classical music with my two Jack Russell Terriers who constantly need calming influences. One request, please refrain from playing anymore dog barking on the radio as they definitely react to that sound and start talking right back to you! Thank you for the great segment.

  
  
• [5] anonymous from nyc April 07, 2008 - 02:20PM

  my toy poodle loves the flute. whenever someone plays it she tries to jump into his or her lap. I find it the least pleasant instrument, other than the saxophone. Is it the pitch, the tone?

  
  
• [6] Caitlin April 07, 2008 - 02:21PM

  My mom has started playing punk radio out her window at her neighbor's obnoxious barking dogs- it shuts them up immediately!

  
  
• [7] Angela from Flushing April 07, 2008 - 02:21PM

  It seems to me to be entirely plausible that modified music would be able to calm a dog or cat...There are already CDs available to children with sensory integration issues who are acoustically sensitive to fireworks, loud vehicles, airplanes etc...

  
  
• [8] Joe Naturale from In the moment April 07, 2008 - 02:24PM

  What about cats? Do cats react to music? Any studies on that?

  
  
• [9] David from NYC April 07, 2008 - 02:27PM

  #4--I feel your pain. My male Pomeranian can hear a doorbell on radio, television or movie and go nuts, even if the doorbell sounds nothing like our own.

  
  
• [10] BLP from Westchester April 07, 2008 - 02:32PM

  My wheaten terrier is oblivious to thunderstorms, fireworks and the washing machine, but he is terrified whenever I run the dishwasher. I can barely hear it, so there my be a high pitch that I can't hear, or the vibration of the floor may affect him.

  
  
• [11] brian from nyc April 07, 2008 - 02:37PM

  when I used to play the harmonica, my cat would go nuts, attacking me and biting me until I stopped, I was not that bad but I guess she was not a music lover..

  
  
• [12] chestinee from Midtown April 07, 2008 - 02:48PM

  my erstwhile kitty loved the nutcracker played on the guitar at christmas

  
  
• [13] Mark from Manhattan April 07, 2008 - 02:59PM

  How ironic that you follow a segment on soothing music for dogs with music that sounds as if someone is stepping on the tail of a cat. Is this a not-so-funny way of showing how music can induce stress?

  
  
• [14] Connie Smith from Waccabuc (Westchester County) April 07, 2008 - 03:06PM

  My Cocker Spaniel, Korina, who is now in dog heaven, used to "sing along" whenever I would sing the scale of C. ! I took her to a "My Dog's Tricks" event and she sat there and just drooled instead of performing her usual routine. I was mortified in front of all the spectators but I had to forgive her for her bashfulness. My new Cocker Spaniel, Bella, will have to hear that great CD you speak about. She will love it. And I will be thankful if it calms her. She's a puppy and a peppy one. at that.

  Also, tell Joe Naturale that my cat, Bengue, loves Mozart!

  
  
• [15] Mary April 08, 2008 - 09:58PM

  Our dog, Annie, seems to really enjoy soothing classical music. It really makes her relax. It would seem to agree with the theories promoted in "Through a Dog's Ear". If dogs have such acute hearing, it makes sense that they would respond to music in their lives. It was interesting to hear the comments of the behaviorist also.

  Great show!