During a snowy day this season, I got out my knitting needles to start a winter project. Knitting is relaxing and it’s a great way to gift someone with a cozy warm scarf or sweater made from the heart. The No. 8 needles I used for this particular stitch to start the project were plastic as opposed to my usual metal ones. A few hours later, I left the project on my couch attached to a big ball of yarn. At the moment, we don’t have any cats which would have automatically perked up my warning instincts to not leave the ball of yarn alone. However, I do share my home with my beloved family member Rigby, a six year old English Springer Spaniel, well-behaved with a great life. I came back into the living room where I saw the yarn unraveled and sprawled all over the floor. “Uh oh Rigby, what happened?” I said half smiling. But then I saw that the tip of the knitting needle had been chewed and assumed to have been swallowed. The first thought I had was is Rigby okay? and the second thought was, “I have pet Insurance!” After I looked everywhere on the floor and the couch for the missing needle tip, my head raced to thoughts of X-rays , medications, and possible surgery! Fortunately, I have pet insurance which would have taken care of most of these costs. I did call my veterinarian who said to observe Rigby for a day to make sure his intestines are moving it through and not blocking his appetite as a sign of something wrong. Rigby was and is fine! Whew! I love my dog with all my heart and felt relieved then and there that I could take good care of him no matter what the cost as a result of the eaten-knitting-needle-bit.

I share this story with you because I believe in pet insurance. It is costly I know but at various points in a pet’s lifespan greater care will be needed, guaranteed. Things happen, accidents happen and then you’re there with big bills.

Here are 8 tips to evaluate a pet insurance company provided by Nationwide Pet Insurance, if you are inspired to look further into signing on to one.

1. Compare Pet Insurance Providers

Before you decide to enroll your pet in a pet insurance policy, compare pet insurance providers. A side-by-side comparison will show the difference in plans, premiums, deductibles, co-pays, sample reimbursements and plan details, including exclusions and additional features.

Use this tool to compare pet insurance providers.

2. Check Out the Insurer’s Track Record

Look at the pet insurance provider’s track record for dependability. The key to choosing a pet health insurance provider you can count on is to go with the company that has proven stability, experience and recommendations.

How long has the provider been in business? Are they a trusted financial service? How many in-force policies do they have? Do they have veterinarians on staff who know pets’ needs and help develop policies?

3. Research What’s Covered — and What Might Affect Coverage

Some pet health insurance plans may have exclusions for conditions that are pre-existing, hereditary, congenital, or related to breeding, and may apply restrictions on your coverage when you file a claim.

Before you enroll, make sure you know and understand what factors may affect coverage, such as your pet's breed and any pre-existing conditions. Find out how often, and why, your premium will increase. Ask if the amount of claims you submit will affect your premium. If you are unsure about the policy language, call the pet insurance provider and ask Customer Care to explain in a way that is easily understood by you. 

4. Choose Coverage that Works for You

Do you want coverage for known routine wellness (vaccinations, flea and heartworm prevention, wellness exams and tests), unknown medical care (chronic conditions, surgeries and hospitalization, prescriptions, exams, lab tests, illnesses, injuries) or complete care with coverage that includes hereditary conditions and wellness?

Discuss your pet’s health with your veterinarian, get an idea what common health conditions your pet could face that may be breed related, or if there’s a history of health issues in your pet’s family tree. You can also learn more about the Top 10 Reasons Pets Visit Vets.

Do you want to be prepared in case of an emergency or unexpected illness? Now’s the time to decide so you don’t find yourself unable to receive coverage due to a pre-existing condition once your pet begins to age.

5. Pick the Type of Insurance Reimbursement That Works for You

There are two ways pet insurance providers calculate reimbursement: they use either a percentage of invoice or an annual benefit schedule of allowances.

An invoice is the itemized bill your veterinarian hands you after treating your pet. If you choose to enroll your pet in a percentage of invoice plan, you’ll be reimbursed a percentage of what you paid your vet. For example, Nationwide pet insurance’s Whole Pet with Wellness plan reimburses 90% of your invoice, less your annual deductible.

A benefit schedule of allowances lists everything that is covered under your plan with a set amount for reimbursement. The reimbursement amounts renew annually.

There are a couple of other factors that can affect your reimbursement amount: whether you've chosen a per-incident deductible or an annual deductible. 

6. Review Cost and Value

There’s no point in buying a pet insurance policy just because it’s cheap if it doesn’t cover what your pet needs. Are you interested in wellness, medical or complete care? Your monthly premium and reimbursement amount will vary based on the type of coverage and deductible you choose.

Deductibles are worth taking into consideration: A per-incident deductible is applied to every incident and can reduce your monthly premium. A low annual deductible will result in a higher premium while a higher deductible will result in a lower premium. However, don't base your purchase on cost alone. While a lower premium may sound great, you don't want to limit the amount of benefits you'll receive when you really need them.

7. Enroll Young and Healthy Pets

It’s important to enroll pets when they’re young and healthy to avoid limited coverage due to pre-existing conditions and to reduce the cost of your policy. Just as with human health insurance, pet health insurance premiums can increase as the policyholder ages.

8. Ask About Discounts

Did you know you might be able to score a discount on your premium? Nationwide pet insurance offers a 5% discount to families with 2-3 pets and 10% to those with 4 or more pets. 

Those already enrolled in another Nationwide policy (such as home, auto) are also eligible for an additional 5% discount on select Nationwide pet insurance policies that can be combined with one of the multiple pet discounts.

Does your employer offer pet insurance benefits? Thousands of companies nationwide offer Nationwide at a discount. Check here to see if a policy discount is available in your company benefits package. Certain Nationwide pet insurance plans are eligible for a group discount.

Source: https://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/ownership-adoption/pet-ownership/pet-owner-topics/8-tips-for-choosing-pet-health-insurance/

Pet Tunes Holiday is a Bluetooth speaker pre-loaded with 14 tracks of holiday music designed for dog and cat hearing to calm them during a high energy time of year. Each Pet Tunes Holiday gift pack comes with a Santa squeaky toy for dogs and a feathered holiday mouse for cat play. A special gift for pets, veterinarians and groomers.

Pet Tunes Holiday Gift Pack Retails for $74.99 on PetAcoustics.com and Amazon.com

• Contains 14 tunes with clinically music proven to calm dogs and cats

• Santa squeaky toy

• Feathered holiday mouse 

• Bluetooth Compatible for Devices

• USB Charging Cord and lanyard

“Miracle music. My dog was panting and anxious once our large family arrived and our cat was nowhere to be found. Once Pet Tunes Holiday was turned on our dog curled up resting in his bed in the living room where we all were and my cat came out to play with the feathered mouse it came with. Thanks Pet Acoustics!” Arlene W.

Animals can change a life. This happened to me when I observed my dogs and cats close to my side when I played music. After two decades of research and clinical studies, I learned why. As a pet parent myself, I wanted to share this important information by writing this book. In What Dogs Hear you will learn about your dog’s amazing hearing abilities and how sound affects their behavior. Each chapter unfolds the scientific reasons why your dog responds to their sonic environment throughout each stage of your dog’s life. You’ll deepen your relationship with your dog by understanding their hearing world to resolve stress issues using technology and techniques to calm and balance behaviors. Janet Marlow’s research, insights and stories are an enjoyable reading experience that will enhance your relationship for you and your dog from puppyhood to senior. 

 “My Friend, Janet Marlow, knows more about the hearing and hearts of dogs than anyone I know. I pay close attention to whatever Janet says and now, with her wonderfully informative book, you can, too.”  - Mary Pope Osborne, author of The Magic Tree House Series

“What dogs Hear is excellent!! I have read it and I learned so much. Every dog owner should own this book, or gift it to others who are getting puppies/dogs.” - C. Martinelli

"This is a must-read for anyone who loves animals -- especially if you live with one. I know without a shadow of a doubt that our fellow creatures are feeling, thinking, conscious beings. I know that through my own experience and through the new scientific research I've learned of. But Janet Marlow offers a rare depth of understanding about how non-human animals perceive and respond to the world. If you want to get a glimpse of that world, read this book!" - Elena Mannes

Digital Downloads (9.99) and Paperback (19.99) available on these sites:

READ NOW ON: Amazon Kindle Apple Books Nook Rakuten Kobo

Excerpt from What Dogs Hear

“Throughout the human-canine relationship, sound as a stimulus and as a communication tool is often overlooked as a cause-and-effect of different canine behaviors. Canine acute hearing is often attributed to behaviors such as stress, anxiety, aggression, and fear. As their caregivers, we also need to know our own hearing abilities in order to recognize their needs and sound communication. Do you hear the highest frequencies and whines uttered by your dog? Have you noticed your dog’s hearing diminishing in response to you, now that he is a senior? Do you know how to mitigate your home environment to minimize stress reactivity during thunderstorm and firework events? As a researcher on canine hearing and as an inventor of solutions for canine stress triggered by sound, I am writing this book as my agreement with you to help you know your dog through their amazing hearing ability and what this means for their well-being. Each chapter is sequenced to unfold these important aspects that can be used as tools and techniques to enhance the quality of your dog’s life and bring your relationship to a deeper level of communication with continued love and bonding.” Janet Marlow 

Janet Marlow is internationally known as a composer, researcher, and author and for her contributions to the understanding of animal hearing and behavior. Her research on behalf of animals has been featured on Animal Planet, CNN, Entrepreneur Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal. In 2009, she founded Pet Acoustics Inc. with award-winning products that have helped thousands of pets, pet parents and veterinarians worldwide.

1. Learn as much as you can about the breed or adoption ahead of time.

2. When you go to your first veterinarian check up, discuss what you’re feeding your puppy and evaluate what is best for her.

3. Have a crate ready for training, sleep and nap time so that your puppy can learn to rest and self-regulate feelings of separation when you need to go out. It’s tough love but it will keep your puppy safe. Play our Pet Tunes Canine music to keep puppy calm.

4. Have puppy-appropriate chew sticks and other chewing toys available for your dog especially when she goes though the teething phase. This is good for avoiding your shoes getting chewed up.

5. Create a daily routine for your puppy that suits your schedule. Dogs like routine.

6. Introduce your dog to other people to help socialize them.

7. Bring your puppy to a commercial street to get used to the sounds of traffic and unexpected noises. Verbally reassure your puppy that everything is okay!

8. Talk to your dog and start teaching her words that are identified with items. Every dog is very smart!

9. Sign up for puppy training classes. This will be fun for your puppy and very informative for you.

10. Give your puppy lots of quiet time and cuddles to deepen your person-puppy bond for a lifetime of confidence, balance and wellbeing.

We are hearing from many new customers who are adopting from shelters and bringing puppies into their home during the time of Covid-19. We wanted to share our top 10 tips to give your puppy her best start in life with you and your family.

Pet Acoustics has a fun solution for your dog and it's all in the walk. Make walks more fun, vigorous and beneficial.

We do walk our dogs over 10,000 times during their lifetime and ours for that matter so what's the trick to changing it up and have a healthier life for your dog?

Collars
Use a halter or harness for vigorous walking. If you use a collar make sure it doesn’t pull on the the dog’s throat for control.

Leashes
Should be six feet long. For better control use a four-foot leash.  This will keep your dog close to your body as you change your pace.

Water
Make sure to bring water with you especially if you are going a longer distance than just your average pee and poo walk. There are many good products on the market to choose from.

Pace- People walking with their dogs can walk 25 minutes per mile.  Dogs can handle brisk pacing so curb your dog from stopping at every bush to keep the walk moving.

Leash Technique
Dogs love a vigorous walk and by keeping the leash close will indicate to your dog that you too, are moving alongside and keeping up with their pace.

Setting Goals
For most overweight dogs or dogs with obesity and have normal heart and lung function, normal blood pressure, and no other pre-existing medical conditions or injuries, start with thirty-minute walk five times per week.  As always check with your dog's veterinarian before starting any exercise program

Monthly Weight
You can visit your veterinarian to weigh your dog anytime and give them the number to record for your next official visit. Some pet stores also have scales to use and check weight. Additionally, at the veterinarian have a veterinary technician inspect the pads and legs for any issues and to ensure the nails are short and healthy. In time your dog's ideal weight will be reached to maintain for health.

Why is a calm dog healthier than an anxious dog?

Evaluation of a dog's health and well-being is traditionally focused on the physical state. However, the environment that surrounds our dog through air, smells, and the emotional energy of their home, is an important consideration when we evaluate their health issues. Observing responses to sound can help if the history of the dog is not known due to being rescued. In addition to taking care of the basics of shelter, food, and family, we need to be aware of the vast range of sensitivities, emotions, and behaviors that contribute to doggy wellness triggered by acute hearing.

It's important to realize that canine calm does not mean that your dog is inactive or lying down. Webster defines calm as: not agitated, tranquil, steadiness under stress, peaceful, quiet.

“The most wonderful discovery in my career. 
 With pet anxiety issues it’s 
 a great tool. Every animal benefits in my practice.”

— Dale Krier, DVM Creature Comfort 
Veterinary Clinic

Canine hearing is one of the most overlooked causes of negative behaviors. That’s why Pet Acoustics does the research and provides the solutions, naturally.

As an observer of behavior, you know this sensitivity as stressful behavioral responses to thunderstorms and fireworks by panting, pacing and drooling, from excessive barking in response to sounds at home or on the streets, to lunging at cars, to hiding in bathtubs from ground vibrations.  Noise-stress is a real issue and sometimes hard to resolve. There are also positive responses to sounds, such as nature-environments, human voices, and calming music to accompany the need for intermittent rest as part of their instinct to balance their daily energy. 

A dog's environment can have positive or negative influences on behavior.

You don't have to look further than dog shelters to find examples of high levels of stress, nervousness, fear, and anxiety. We can assume that many of these dogs came from negative environments that created, or at least exacerbated, these conditions. With their loud barks and bodily shivers, they are calling out to us for safety. Thanks to these shelters and the good people who manage them, these animals have a temporary respite until a caring person or family brings them home. Shelters give us a vivid look at white animals need the feeling of connectedness and safety in their environment, whether provided by their own species or hours.

Pet Acoustic music proves to calm during a 90-day study (2014) with The Good Dog Foundation.

Image courtesy The Good Dog Foundation.

Study

Canine Companions and Music: A Study on the impact of music and music speaker design on dogs and their owners (June 19, 2010). Observe the effect of Pet Acoustics music on both pets and owners during training classes, facilitated by Heather White, author and Westchester Executive Trainer and Program Coordinator at The Good Dog Foundation.

Results

80% of participants reported that they felt that the music calmed their dogs as well as themselves.
90% of canines displayed positive reactions as evidenced by their ability to focus on a task at hand with their owner.
86% of canines showed decreased frequency of stress signals and showed neutral to positive body language towards their owners.

The Good Dog Foundation collaborates with researchers, healthcare professionals, and other organizations to promote research studies that document the effects of the human-animal bond on human healing and wellness. While there is much anecdotal evidence supporting the monumental benefits of animal assisted therapy, there is much to be done in the world of scientific research and documentation to help open doors for animal assisted therapy to the healthcare community and beyond.

Mixed dogs with their owners in a Pet Acoustics clinical trial.

Study Utilizing Pet Acoustics with Dogs and Owners​

The study was implemented over a three month period, collecting data via questionnaire and observation from 50 participants and their dogs who participated in obedience classes and therapy dog skills classes through The Good Dog Foundation. Participants were asked to be aware of their dogs at all times throughout each class and asked to report any findings they experienced with their dogs when the dogs were in the presence of Pet Acoustics music and speaker. Dogs and owners were also observed by the class instructor and class assistant for body language and stress signal changes that may occur. The human participants ranged in age from 12 years old to 60 years old with an average of 7 dogs in each class session. The canine participants were comprised of several different breeds of dogs as well as mixed breeds, from all different backgrounds, including dogs from reputable breeders, pet stores, animal shelters and humane societies, and rescue groups. The canine participants ranged in age from 7 months old to 10 years old. The mean and median age of the canine participants was 3 years old.

Summary of Finding

The findings of the above study support the hypothesis that calming music played through the Pet Acoustics music and speaker is beneficial not only to the canine participants, but the owners as well. The majority (75%) of human participants reported that the soundtracks of the Pet Acoustics music playing through the Speaker relaxed them, while the remaining 25% of participants reported that the music was playing and was enjoyable during the class session. 80% of participants reported that they felt that the music playing calmed their dogs as well as themselves, stating, “I think the Pet Speaker is a great tool for promoting calmness”, “I didn’t even realize there was music playing until the very end of class!”, and “The music helped to ground me”. 97% of participants felt that having the Pet Acoustics music speaker present in the room was a beneficial addition to the class atmosphere.

The majority of the canine participants (96%) displayed neutral to positive reactions to the Pet Acoustics music speaker as evidenced by their ability to focus on a task at hand with their owner. The canine participants displayed neutral body language and 86% of the dogs in the classes shown decreased frequency of stress signals and showed neutral to positive body language towards their owners. 4% of canine participants showed elevated stress levels which were not compatible with the therapy dog program and did not continue in class.

Conclusions and Implications

What was most beneficial about the Pet Acoustics Speaker was the aspect of the speaker that takes out the extreme high and low notes in playing music and allows only middle tones to play which seemed to truly and visibly soothe both dogs and their humans during the classes.

It is recommended by this author that the Pet Acoustics music and speakers would be beneficial to dogs in boarding and kennel facilities as well as training classes and also at home. The Pet Acoustics Speaker is a wonderful tool for any dog owner who would like to further foster the bond between themselves and their canine companions.

About The Good Dog Foundation

Since its inception in 1998, The Good Dog Foundation has had a singular mission – using Animal Assisted Intervention to help children and adults heal from the trauma of disease, disability, and disaster.

Music conducted by Janet Marlow, Sound Behaviorist, Founder of Pet Acoustics Inc.

Pet Acoustics continuing 8-month study with Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation.

Lori McClain-Russak, Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation- Pet Acoustics clincial music program to calm dogs used throughout the facility to help German Shepherds in training to become guide dogs for the visually impaired.

Goal

To test the length of time it takes to bring the behavior of each dog into a state of calm and rest while listening to Pet Acoustics frequency modified canine music. Data was collected by a PetPace Collar.

Study

Observe (6) German Shepherds individually, in a high stress behavioral state before and after the music experience. The Pet Tunes music and Ultra Calmer were used alternately. Each dog experience lasted up to 20 minutes to collect the data. The study took place on Sept. 6 and Nov. 15, 2015. at the campus of The Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation in Bloomfield, CT.

Results

90% of the dogs released their states of stress within (5) minutes of listening to the music remaining in a state of calm and rest. One dog took up to 20 minutes to release the stress behavior.

The study showed that Pet Acoustics music used on a daily basis in the kennel is used as an integral part of the service dog training diminishing high stress behaviors during the program resulting in a calmer dog for service.

The chart above show alert position of each dog relaxing into a laying down position into calm and rest after listening to the music through the speaker and through the Ultra Calmer collar device.

About Fidelco

Charlie and Robbie Kaman's intuitive knowledge of how German Shepherd dogs could help people who are legally blind live more normal lives was the genesis of the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation.
Beginning in 1960, the work done by this innovative couple and ever-growing group of dedicated and tireless staff, volunteers and supporters has reached out and touched thousands of clients' and family members' lives.

Today, Fidelco is an internationally-recognized leader in the guide dog industry. And the legacy of dedication and quality given to the organization by the Kaman’s will guide Fidelco for generations to come. Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation 103 Vision Way Bloomfield, CT 06002 Fidelco.Org

The Fidelco German Shepherd Dog, we describe them as "a breed within a breed." The Fidelco German Shepherd was created from Bavarian stock. It is an outstanding and exclusive product of selective breeding from strong working lines and has evolved to be truly a breed within a breed. Our dogs possess the characteristics of the ideal working guide; intelligence, temperament, stamina and stability. They are responsible for our clients’ safety at all times. This formidable task requires us to have an uncompromising focus on the quality of the breed, which is a hallmark of the Fidelco shepherd.

Conducted by Janet Marlow, Sound Behaviorist.

Pet Acoustics music proves calming during an 8-month study with Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation.

Janet Marlow, composer and researcher brought Pet Tunes Canine speaker to the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation in Bloomfield, CT. The Guide Dogs in training listened to the canine designed music and in 2 1/2 minutes consistently each dog laid down in a state of rest and comfort.

Study

Observe (12) German Shepherds individually in a high stress behavioral state, before and after the music experience. staffed by Lori McClain Russak, Manager and Tommy Mourad, Head Trainer. Fidelco Foundation Nine Month Study in collaboration with Pet Acoustics Inc. Janet Marlow, Sound Behaviorist March - Nov. 2015

Results

90% of the dogs released their states of stress within (5) minutes of listening to the music, remaining in a state of calm and rest.

Details

Starting in March, 2015 Janet Marlow and the Pet Acoustics team set up Pet Tunes canine music and multiple speakers in three large kennel areas at the Fidelco Guide Dog Campus, encompassing over 70 German Shepherds. Each area had dogs in different stages of training.

The music was played at different times of the day during training and for rest time and after meals. Behavioral responses were observed over 9 months. The results concluded that the overall behaviors of the dogs were in a happier and calmer state. This is a desired behavioral state because of the important work becoming guide dogs being able to fit into family life with their companion. The study was coordinated by Lori McClain-Russak, Manager of Kennel Operations, Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. and Tommy Mourad, Head Trainer.