A Little Mutt Music

More than 200 dogs told animal communicator Kim Ogden what music they liked

They didn't care much for Johnny Cash songs.

One of them peed on the floor. Another told animal communicator Kim Ogden, "This is nothing but a sad man talking."

In the end, the dogs' responses guided production of "Songs to Make Dogs Happy," a 12-song collection of tunes designed to give man's best friend something to wag about.

"This really is an album by dogs, for dogs," Ogden said.

"Songs to Make Dogs Happy," is the brainchild of record producers Skip Haynes and Dana Walden. The two California animal enthusiasts' label, Laurel Canyon Animal Company, has a catalog that includes a CD of songs sung by an Amazon parrot and another whose song lyrics were written by Koko, the gorilla who speaks sign language.

"After Koko, we said, this is great, but there are no more animals who can communicate," Haynes said. "We have to find a 'Dr. Doolittle.' "

Instead, they found Dr. Ogden, a former public health official with a Ph.D. who lives in the Chicago area.

Ogden tested more than 30 different musical genres, with individual dogs and focus groups composed of dogs from local animal shelters.

"Sambas tested real high," Haynes said -- and Ogden said dogs prefer peppy, upbeat songs.

Ogden, who performs hundreds of animal consultations a year, used her case notes to choose a dozen or so dog issues that came up most consistently; Haynes crafted songs around them. Ogden, who also is a musician, wrote some of the music and lyrics.

There were heartbreaking moments, Haynes said, such as the time they played "I'll Be Back" for a mixed group of shelter and pet dogs.

"That's what you're supposed to say to dogs when you leave," he said. "But the shelter dogs literally deflated in front of us. The dogs knew no one was coming back for them."

"The simpler it got, the deeper it got with us."

They also learned that certain drum sounds upset dogs because they remind them of gunshots.

Ogden, who said dogs communicate through mental pictures and feelings as well as through words, found dogs weren't interested in songs about riding in a car. They gave their highest rating to a song that would tell their owners how much they loved them.

Any skepticism Haynes had about animal communicators has dissolved, although he acknowledges that many in his buying public will still have reservations.

"It doesn't matter, because it works," he said. "I've seen too many animals adjust their activities based on what (a communicator) said."

Haynes has received encouraging testimonials from people who bought the CD.

"We've had vets say it helps in recovery. People transporting dogs after Katrina used it all the time."

Haynes said that, because dogs are more sensitive and aware than they had imagined, they made their record "the happiest damned CD we could make."

Indeed, Haynes' soothing voice singing "You're a good dog, yes you are" and the perky, rhythmic squeaky toy refrain on "Squeaky Deaky" carry great tail-wagging potential.

The songs also seem to make people happy. Many of those who submitted reviews to Amazon.com said the CD helped them bond with their dogs.

Haynes said his company sometimes sends free copies of the CD to animal shelters, to play for the dogs in cages. Ogden also uses her talents to help shelters place many otherwise unadoptable dogs.

What's up next? The company will be accepting audition DVDs for an "American Idol" sort of competition for parrots in a few weeks. The best-sounding parrot will get a recording contract and earn artist's royalties.

The bird's snappy phrase or tune also will become available as a ring tone for your cell phone.

kimberley.jace@news-jrnl.comLearn More

Kim Ogden's book, "Ask the Animals -- Life Lessons Learned as an Animal Communicator" and information about her services are available at kimogden.com

One of them peed on the floor. Another told animal communicator Kim Ogden, "This is nothing but a sad man talking."

In the end, the dogs' responses guided production of "Songs to Make Dogs Happy," a 12-song collection of tunes designed to give man's best friend something to wag about.

"This really is an album by dogs, for dogs," Ogden said.

"Songs to Make Dogs Happy," is the brainchild of record producers Skip Haynes and Dana Walden. The two California animal enthusiasts' label, Laurel Canyon Animal Company, has a catalog that includes a CD of songs sung by an Amazon parrot and another whose song lyrics were written by Koko, the gorilla who speaks sign language.

"After Koko, we said, this is great, but there are no more animals who can communicate," Haynes said. "We have to find a 'Dr. Doolittle.' "

Instead, they found Dr. Ogden, a former public health official with a Ph.D. who lives in the Chicago area.

Ogden tested more than 30 different musical genres, with individual dogs and focus groups composed of dogs from local animal shelters.

"Sambas tested real high," Haynes said -- and Ogden said dogs prefer peppy, upbeat songs.

Ogden, who performs hundreds of animal consultations a year, used her case notes to choose a dozen or so dog issues that came up most consistently; Haynes crafted songs around them. Ogden, who also is a musician, wrote some of the music and lyrics.

There were heartbreaking moments, Haynes said, such as the time they played "I'll Be Back" for a mixed group of shelter and pet dogs.

"That's what you're supposed to say to dogs when you leave," he said. "But the shelter dogs literally deflated in front of us. The dogs knew no one was coming back for them."

"The simpler it got, the deeper it got with us."

They also learned that certain drum sounds upset dogs because they remind them of gunshots.

Ogden, who said dogs communicate through mental pictures and feelings as well as through words, found dogs weren't interested in songs about riding in a car. They gave their highest rating to a song that would tell their owners how much they loved them.

Any skepticism Haynes had about animal communicators has dissolved, although he acknowledges that many in his buying public will still have reservations.

"It doesn't matter, because it works," he said. "I've seen too many animals adjust their activities based on what (a communicator) said."

Haynes has received encouraging testimonials from people who bought the CD.

"We've had vets say it helps in recovery. People transporting dogs after Katrina used it all the time."

Haynes said that, because dogs are more sensitive and aware than they had imagined, they made their record "the happiest damned CD we could make."

Indeed, Haynes' soothing voice singing "You're a good dog, yes you are" and the perky, rhythmic squeaky toy refrain on "Squeaky Deaky" carry great tail-wagging potential.

The songs also seem to make people happy. Many of those who submitted reviews to Amazon.com said the CD helped them bond with their dogs.

Haynes said his company sometimes sends free copies of the CD to animal shelters, to play for the dogs in cages. Ogden also uses her talents to help shelters place many otherwise unadoptable dogs.

What's up next? The company will be accepting audition DVDs for an "American Idol" sort of competition for parrots in a few weeks. The best-sounding parrot will get a recording contract and earn artist's royalties.

The bird's snappy phrase or tune also will become available as a ring tone for your cell phone.

kimberley.jace@news-jrnl.comLearn More

Kim Ogden's book, "Ask the Animals -- Life Lessons Learned as an Animal Communicator" and information about her services are available at kimogden.com

One of them peed on the floor. Another told animal communicator Kim Ogden, "This is nothing but a sad man talking."

In the end, the dogs' responses guided production of "Songs to Make Dogs Happy," a 12-song collection of tunes designed to give man's best friend something to wag about.

"This really is an album by dogs, for dogs," Ogden said.

"Songs to Make Dogs Happy," is the brainchild of record producers Skip Haynes and Dana Walden. The two California animal enthusiasts' label, Laurel Canyon Animal Company, has a catalog that includes a CD of songs sung by an Amazon parrot and another whose song lyrics were written by Koko, the gorilla who speaks sign language.

"After Koko, we said, this is great, but there are no more animals who can communicate," Haynes said. "We have to find a 'Dr. Doolittle.' "

Instead, they found Dr. Ogden, a former public health official with a Ph.D. who lives in the Chicago area.

Ogden tested more than 30 different musical genres, with individual dogs and focus groups composed of dogs from local animal shelters.

"Sambas tested real high," Haynes said -- and Ogden said dogs prefer peppy, upbeat songs.

Ogden, who performs hundreds of animal consultations a year, used her case notes to choose a dozen or so dog issues that came up most consistently; Haynes crafted songs around them. Ogden, who also is a musician, wrote some of the music and lyrics.

There were heartbreaking moments, Haynes said, such as the time they played "I'll Be Back" for a mixed group of shelter and pet dogs.

"That's what you're supposed to say to dogs when you leave," he said. "But the shelter dogs literally deflated in front of us. The dogs knew no one was coming back for them."

"The simpler it got, the deeper it got with us."

They also learned that certain drum sounds upset dogs because they remind them of gunshots.

Ogden, who said dogs communicate through mental pictures and feelings as well as through words, found dogs weren't interested in songs about riding in a car. They gave their highest rating to a song that would tell their owners how much they loved them.

Any skepticism Haynes had about animal communicators has dissolved, although he acknowledges that many in his buying public will still have reservations.

"It doesn't matter, because it works," he said. "I've seen too many animals adjust their activities based on what (a communicator) said."

Haynes has received encouraging testimonials from people who bought the CD.

"We've had vets say it helps in recovery. People transporting dogs after Katrina used it all the time."

Haynes said that, because dogs are more sensitive and aware than they had imagined, they made their record "the happiest damned CD we could make."

Indeed, Haynes' soothing voice singing "You're a good dog, yes you are" and the perky, rhythmic squeaky toy refrain on "Squeaky Deaky" carry great tail-wagging potential.

The songs also seem to make people happy. Many of those who submitted reviews to Amazon.com said the CD helped them bond with their dogs.

Haynes said his company sometimes sends free copies of the CD to animal shelters, to play for the dogs in cages. Ogden also uses her talents to help shelters place many otherwise unadoptable dogs.

What's up next? The company will be accepting audition DVDs for an "American Idol" sort of competition for parrots in a few weeks. The best-sounding parrot will get a recording contract and earn artist's royalties.

The bird's snappy phrase or tune also will become available as a ring tone for your cell phone.

kimberley.jace@news-jrnl.comLearn More

Kim Ogden's book, "Ask the Animals -- Life Lessons Learned as an Animal Communicator" and information about her services are available at kimogden.com