norman lebrecht
November 25, 2025
From a BBC feature:
… One of Margot’s trainers recommended Through a Dog’s Ear, a series of slow-tempo, predominantly piano compositions designed to help reduce stress in dogs. It was created by Joshua Leeds, a psychoacoustic expert (who studies how sound is perceived), and Susan Wagner, a veterinary neurologist, who have studied the effects of this music on dogs. They observed over 150 dogs in private homes and kennels and found that more than 70% of kennel dogs and 80% of dogs in homes exhibited fewer anxiety symptoms (including pacing, trembling, and panting) after listening to predominantly piano music.
On her security camera, Strull saw the impact on Margot almost immediately. She says she used to receive texts from her neighbours complaining about Margot barking when she was left alone. Now, rather than pacing and barking, Margot peacefully naps, with Brahms or Beethoven on in the background, while her owner is gone. “There have been times where I haven’t gotten home till 4am, and she’s just asleep…”
Read on here. (You know you’re going to.)
main image: Country Life