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Audible for Dogs - Audiobooks for Canines

Osher Günsberg and his dog Frankie sit listening to an Audible for Dogs audiobook
Audible for Dogs: from chasing tails to soothing tales ...

Audible.com.au announces curated selection of audiobooks chosen for their canine calming appeal. Borne from study finding listening to audiobooks makes dogs left at home happier and more relaxed.

Audible.com.au today announced the release of Audible for Dogs, a curated collection of audiobooks for dog owners to play when leaving their furry friends at home

Curated in collaboration with dog lover, Osher Günsberg, and animal behaviourist, Dr Susan Hazel, Audible for Dogs was inspired by an independent study by Hartpury College in the UK. The study suggests listening to audiobooks can positively influence kennelled dogs’ behaviour, spending less time alert and more time resting compared to other audio influences like music[1]. The selection of audiobooks is now available at Audible.com.au/dogs.

It’s no secret Aussies love their pets, with 38% of households taking ownership of the 4.8 million pet dogs in Australia[2]. While we spend a whopping $12.2 billion on our pets each year[3], we’re busier than ever, and our dogs spend more time in the home than 50 years ago, often only able to socialise at assigned walking times[4]. That’s ruff! 



Basenji dog grins wearing headphones playing an Audible for Dogs audiobook
The Audible for Dogs collection has been designed to give pet owners peace-of-mind and keep their precious pups company with the comforting sound of the human voice.

Audible.com.au worked with Dr Susan Hazel and Osher Günsberg to curate the Audible for Dogs collection, chosen for their calming narration, evenly paced narrative, and length to cover a full workday away from home. 


Selections include Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice narrated by Rosamund Pike, Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield narrated by Richard Armitage, and Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, narrated by Rachel McAdams. Selected audiobooks from the curated collection have been bundled together, so dog lovers can choose a Classics collection for high-brow canines, or an Aussie collection for their true-blue heelers.

The Hartpury College research also suggests a narrator whose gender, accent and tone are similar to the primary owners may contribute to calmer canine behaviour[5]


Australian audiobooks Cloudstreet by Tim Winton, narrated by Peter Hosking, and Kerry Greenwood’s The Spotted Dog, narrated by Jennifer Vuletic, were also included, along with Osher Günsberg and his precious wedding ring-bearer pup, Frankie’s favourite, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien and narrated by Rob Inglis.

The research shows audiobooks can potentially increase the likelihood of rehoming kennelled dogs[6], so to celebrate Audible for Dogs, Audible.com.au has partnered with the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home. Audiobooks from the Audible for Dogs collection are being played for their rescue dogs, who may find the shelter environment stressful. 


From today until 2 November 2019, Audible.com.au will donate $1.00 per purchase of any audiobook in the Audible for Dogs collection to the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, up to a maximum donation of $10,000.

Dr Susan Hazel, Senior Lecturer, Animal Behaviour, Welfare & Ethics, from University of Adelaide said: “Recent research suggests listening to audiobooks can reduce high-stress indicators such as barking, howling, pacing or standing in kennelled dogs. Humans have selected canine companions over thousands of years based on those that like being with people the most. Which now means they may not like it when we leave them alone. For some dogs, audiobooks may be helpful when an owner is not at home, providing a calming human voice.”
Osher Günsberg's dog Frankie smiling as he listens to his favourite audiobook from Audible for Dogs


Osher Günsberg, host of reality TV franchise, The Bachelor Australia, said: “I’m passionate about mental health, and that extends to my dog Frankie’s wellbeing too. I’m stoked to partner with Audible to bring spoken-word entertainment to Aussie dogs to help keep them company when we’re out and about. I feel more at ease knowing Frankie is in the company of specially curated audiobooks chosen for their calm and even narration. Lately, I've been leaving him listening to The Lord of the Rings which, he seems to enjoy.”

Leanne Cartwright-Bradford, Country Manager, Audible.com.au said: “Move over dog-eared books – we’re excited to bring Audible for Dogs to Australian dog owners, harnessing the power of spoken word entertainment to help provide comfort to our dogs. There are so many ways our customers use Audible, from listening while commuting, to doing the housework, relaxing at home or exercising at the gym, and now keeping their dogs company when owners aren’t at home.”

Faith Harrsen, Marketing Manager, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home said: “Many of our rescue dogs find the shelter environment stressful, and we’ve found having a familiar voice and tone playing daily from the Audible for Dogs collection has contributed to a more calming space. 


Aladdin, currently our longest-term doggy resident, has been listening to Sherlock Holmes narrated by Stephen Fry, along with our other kennelled dogs. He can be reactive, barking as other dogs pass his kennel, but our team of behaviourists have observed that when the audiobook is playing it appears to distract him and he usually listens quietly and calmly, which has been wonderful to note.”

With a 30-day membership trial, new listeners can enjoy one free audiobook, including any one of the specially curated Audible for Dogs collection at Audible.com.au/dogs.

MEDIA RELEASE, 2nd November 2018
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