When Amman Ahmed founded RelaxMyDog, the idea of music made specifically for pets was still considered fringe. Fast forward, and his latest project has taken that idea into new territory. Dreaming Dog is an album designed for canines but produced with enough depth and intent that it speaks to human listeners as well.
Ahmed enlisted GRAMMY-winning producer Antaeus to lead the sessions, with co-production from Daniel of Mosadi. The collaboration came together under meaningful circumstances—shortly after Mosadi’s own dog passed away—giving the record an emotional anchor from the start. What began as a way to soothe anxious pets turned into an album with equal footing in ambient, lo-fi, New Age, and even touches of Amapiano and reggae.
The guiding principle was to build music that relaxes without becoming bland. That meant leaning into genre influences that have atmosphere and groove while shaping them with research-backed choices proven to help dogs settle.
Music With A Purpose
Every decision on Dreaming Dog was tied to specific goals for canine comfort. Tempos hover between 50 and 70 bpm, a range shown to ease tension in animals. Bass frequencies were softened so the low end feels present but never overwhelming. High frequencies were rolled back to avoid irritation, and environmental sounds like fireworks or children playing were woven in gradually to create desensitization over time.
The result is music that doesn’t feel clinical. Instead, the technical decisions form a framework where the compositions unfold naturally. Tracks can function in the background for a dog resting at home, but they hold up when played through headphones or speakers for human listeners. It’s a rare balance between functionality and artistry, and one that the producers were conscious of throughout the process.
Daniel from Mosadi summed it up clearly: the intention was to make something people could enjoy repeatedly while still serving its calming role for pets.
A Team Effort
To achieve that, Ahmed and Antaeus brought in an impressive roster of contributors. Pianist Charu Suri, the first Indian jazz artist to perform five sold-out shows at Carnegie Hall, added harmonic depth. Greek vocalist Erini, known for her work with Cirque du Soleil, provided gentle melodic lines that float across the album like lullabies.
Engineering and finishing touches were handled by some of the best in the industry. Joe Maldonado, a GRAMMY-winning engineer with credits for Pharrell, Nicki Minaj, and Charli XCX, recorded and mixed sessions at Contrackz Studio in New York. Chris Sulit, a two-time GRAMMY and Peabody Award-winning engineer, also shaped the sound. For mastering, they tapped Alex Psaroudakis, whose multi-GRAMMY track record brought clarity and cohesion to the final release.
That combination of research-driven intent and world-class talent gave Dreaming Dog a platform bigger than its concept. The release also aligns with RelaxMyDog’s recent acquisition by Create Music Group, positioning the brand to expand its mission of creating calming media for animals on a much larger scale.
For Ahmed, the album is less about novelty and more about broadening the conversation around how music can serve different purposes. “Even though this music was crafted with dogs in mind, its impact reaches far beyond,” he explained. “It’s for all animals. And all humans.”
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