Rotate the music
Kennelled dogs were calmer while music played, but the effect faded when the same genre repeated. Rotating genres through the week kept it going.
Bowman, Dowell & Evans (2017), Physiology & Behavior. Read the paper
Inside Hushpup
Built around one idea: structure without monotony.
Dogs settle when they can predict what happens next. They also tune out anything that never changes. Hushpup gives them a fixed cue at the two moments that matter and variety in the hours between.
The research
What the studies say
Hushpup draws on research with shelter dogs, where stress is easy to measure and routines are tightly controlled. These findings shaped what the hub plays, what it diffuses and how often it changes.
Choose calming scents
Dogs exposed to lavender and chamomile spent more time resting and less time barking than dogs with no added scent.
Graham, Wells & Hepper (2005), Applied Animal Behaviour Science. Read the paper
Keep it gentle
A diffused scent fills the room and a dog can’t walk away from it. That’s why Hushpup releases short, light bursts instead of running all day.
Applied Animal Behaviour Science (2018). Read the paper
The gates
Location instead of a timer
The first Hushpup ran on timers you set by hand, and it couldn’t tell when you were actually home. Hushpup 2.0 uses two rings around your home, set once in the app.
| Gate | What it does |
|---|---|
| Main gate, close to home | Crossing outward starts the leaving routine from the front pod. Crossing inward starts the homecoming routine from the back pod, early enough for your dog to settle. |
| Second gate, further out | Tells Hushpup you’ll be gone a while, so it switches to the long routine and rotates sounds through the day. |
| More than one person | The leaving routine waits for the last person out, and homecoming starts with the first person back. |
Exploded side view, drawn to scale from the Hub v2.2 dimensions.
Anatomy
Seven parts, assembled bottom to top
- BaseØ110 × 11 mm, flush with the knit. The Hushpup mark is engraved 0.6 mm deep at the front.
- ChassisHolds the electronics and the scent outlets.
- SpeakerFaces up into the knit, so sound spreads evenly through the room.
- LED boardOne board drives both the face and the status ring.
- Knit shellØ110 × 42 mm. Soft to the touch, open enough for sound and light.
- Top discØ63 mm with two pod ports, 26 mm apart, front to back.
- PodsPush about 1.5 mm past the seat and release. They latch with a click.
No pods seated
Each X turns to a check as its pod clicks in.
Specs
Hub v2.2
| Body | Ø110 × 42 mm, knit over ABS |
|---|---|
| Base | Ø110 × 11 mm. White oak, carbonised bamboo, dark walnut or brushed graphite aluminium |
| Height | About 54.5 mm with the rubber foot |
| Pods | 2 × 3 ml, Ø18 × 22 mm, clear glass with a linen cap, push-to-latch |
| Face | 18 × 8 dot matrix at 2.5 mm pitch, warm yellow, behind the front knit |
| Status ring | Warm yellow light on the rim of the top disc, readable from above |
| Location | Two gates set in the app, using the phone’s location |
| Camera | None |
Who it’s for
Made for mild distress and long days alone
Hushpup supports a routine. It doesn’t treat separation anxiety, and it shouldn’t be the only thing you try for a dog in real distress.
A good fit
- Dogs who are restless, bark or chew a little while you’re out
- Owners with irregular schedules
- Homes where days alone run 6 to 9 hours
Talk to a vet first
- Dogs who panic, injure themselves or try to escape
- Dogs who won’t eat or settle at all while alone
- Sudden changes in behaviour
Severe separation anxiety usually needs gradual training with a vet or certified behaviourist.
From 2021 to 2.0
Fewer inputs, more calm
Hushpup started in 2021 as a wall-mounted device with a camera, speakers and three program buttons. The goal for 2.0 was to remove as many owner inputs as possible.
| Hushpup 1 (2021) | Hushpup 2.0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | A timer you set | Two location gates |
| Form | Wall-mounted plate | Knit tabletop hub |
| Scent | One fluid pod | Two sealed pods, leaving and homecoming |
| Inputs | Three program buttons | None on the device |
| Camera | Yes | Removed |
Questions
Does Hushpup cure separation anxiety?
No. It gives your dog a predictable cue and a calmer environment, which helps with mild distress. For severe cases, work with a vet or certified behaviourist.
What if my phone dies or I leave it at home?
Hushpup won’t see you leave, so nothing runs. You can start the leaving routine from another household member’s phone or from the app on the web.
Is the scent safe for dogs?
Pods hold diluted oils chosen for dogs and release short, light bursts. Keep the hub out of reach, and stop using a scent if your dog avoids the room.
How long does a pod last?
It depends on how often you come and go. Hushpup tracks each pod’s level and sends refills before it runs out.
Does it record my dog?
No. Hushpup 2.0 has no camera and no microphone.