Soothe and Settle Hush Muff

I'm very excited to have The Hush Muff from Soothe and Settle at The Curious Dog Company. Rachel, the founder, is a small business friend of mine and I've watched this product become a complete game changer for dogs (and their humans) all over the world.

And while you'll probably see me talking about it a LOT in the run-up to Bonfire Night, The Hush Muff isn't just a product to help with fireworks. That's actually one of the things I love most about it.

The Hush Muff is designed to muffle external noise, rather than completely block or cancel it. Independent audio testing found that it can attenuate lower and mid-range frequencies by around 6–12dB, with higher frequencies reduced by up to 12–18dB. In practical terms, that can make loud or sudden sounds less intense for your dog.

But there's another really important part to this...

It's not about changing your dog's fear response.

Putting a Hush Muff on a terrified dog when the fireworks have already started isn't a magic switch that suddenly makes them feel fine. The aim is to introduce and condition the Hush Muff when your dog is calm, so wearing it becomes familiar, comfortable and predictable. Over time, it can become part of your dog's signal of calm, something they recognise as part of their routine when they need a little extra support.

Soothe and Settle provide guidance for gradually getting your dog comfortable wearing their Hush Muff, and I strongly recommend taking the time to do this before you actually need it.

🤓 TCDC Top Tip: Start on an ordinary, boring day when absolutely nothing exciting is happening. Let your dog investigate it, pair it with treats and positive experiences and gradually build up the amount of time they wear it. You're trying to reinforce that “Hush Muff = good things happen and I feel safe”, not “Hush Muff = OH GOD WHAT IS THAT NOISE?!”

So when can you use it?

Yes, fireworks and thunderstorms are obvious ones. But once your dog is comfortable wearing it, there are lots of other situations where reducing the intensity of surrounding noise may be useful.

Think:

🎆 Fireworks
⛈️ Thunderstorms and heavy rain
🚗 Car journeys
🩺 Vet visits
✂️ Grooming
🏠 Overwhelming or busy environments
🛏️ Crate rest
🎵 Other loud or unpredictable environments

It's even suitable for use outdoors as the fleece is water resistant.

This isn't something I want you to buy, stick in a drawer and dig out once a year when someone announces the first fireworks of the year...

Condition it. Use it. Make it part of your dog's toolkit.

A little bit about the design

The Hush Muff is a soft, close-fitting, fleece head covering that sits over your dog's ears and around their head. The gentle pressure and reduced external noise can provide an additional layer of comfort for dogs who find certain sounds overwhelming.

It has a registered design, is machine washable and can be worn indoors or outdoors.

I've gone for the most popular cow print design as well as a forest green to compliment my brand colours but keep your eyes peeled for me growing the range. 

Choosing the right size

All the measurement info can be found in the product images. Please measure your dog's head carefully before ordering. Soothe and Settle recommend measuring the widest part of your dog's head and going up a size if your dog falls between sizes.

If you're unsure which size your dog needs, message me before ordering and I'll help you work it out.

Need a less common size? Sizes A, C and F are stocked in smaller quantities. If your size is out of stock or you need a specific size for a bundle, just drop me a message and I’ll see what I can do.

Please note: The Hush Muff is designed to help reduce the impact of external noise. It does not completely block or cancel sound, and it isn't intended to replace appropriate training or veterinary support for dogs with significant noise-related fear or anxiety.

Care: Machine wash up to 40°C. Do not tumble dry.

Play it safe! 🐾 Always supervise your dog while they are wearing the Hush Muff and introduce it gradually. Never force your dog to wear it. If your dog shows signs of distress or discomfort, remove it and take a step back with the conditioning process.