The second heartbeat

A second heartbeat, for when you can’t be there.

A soft companion plush with a rhythmic heartbeat and soft fabric that holds their warmth — for the rescue afraid of being left again, the senior who can’t settle at night, and every dog who rests easier with something close.

♥

The Hartley Companion

★★★★★4.8 · 100+ reviews

$55.00$83.00

Choose your pack

Free shipping · Free Story of Hartley booklet · 30-night guarantee

Add a spare heartbeat unit for $14.99 — the heart is removable, so a backup is handy. Add a reusable warmth insert for $19.99 — gentle warmth for cold nights. Supervised use only.

Why more than one? Many homes have more than one anxious dog, some keep one in the crate and one in the bed, and a Companion makes a thoughtful gift for another dog parent.

Try it risk-free for 30 nights.

VISAMASTERCARDAMEXSHOP PAY

Free shipping on every order · Ships in 5–9 business days · Easy returns

Leaving should not feel this heavy.

For some dogs there is no end in sight — the rescue who flinches when you reach for your keys, the senior who paces and whimpers through the night. Others cry in the crate or follow you from room to room. They are not being difficult. They are looking for comfort, routine, and the feeling that they are not alone.

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Left again, and afraid

The rescue who learned that people leave. Reaching for your keys can be enough to undo them.

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Can’t settle all night

The senior who circles, paces, and wakes at 3am, never quite able to rest.

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Crate cries & velcro days

Puppies new to the crate, and velcro dogs who unravel the moment you step away.

Meet the companion

A companion they can feel.

Inside the soft plush is a steady, heartbeat-like rhythm, wrapped in soft fabric that holds their warmth — a second heartbeat that mimics the close, familiar comfort many dogs instinctively seek when they are trying to settle.

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Rhythmic heartbeat

A steady, heartbeat-like rhythm that feels familiar and close.

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Holds their warmth

Soft, insulating flannel that holds your dog’s own warmth — plus an optional warmth insert for cold nights.

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Soft, huggable plush

A cozy companion made to be curled into and held.

How it works

Simple comfort, built into their routine.

1

Place it beside them

Tuck it into their crate, bed, or favorite resting spot.

2

Turn on the heartbeat

One button starts the steady rhythm; the soft, warmth-holding fabric does the rest.

3

Let them settle

Use it consistently during bedtime, crate time, or alone time.

Some dogs take to it immediately. Others need a few nights of consistent use. Results vary, and that is normal.

Why it makes sense

Dogs are wired for closeness.

Dogs are social animals. Puppies, rescues, seniors, and highly attached dogs often seek body warmth, rhythm, and contact to feel secure. A steady heartbeat-like rhythm and soft, warmth-holding fabric can provide a comforting cue that helps them relax into their space.

You’re away→They feel alone→Heartbeat + warmth cue→Calmer settling routine

A note on comfort vs. care. The Hartley Companion is a comfort aid, not a medical treatment. For severe anxiety, destructive behavior, or panic, consult your veterinarian or a qualified behavior professional.

Who it’s for

Made for the moments they need you most.

The rescue who’s scared of being left again

For the dog who learned that people leave — a steady presence that stays put.

The senior who can’t settle at night

Soft, familiar comfort for the older dog who circles and wakes through the dark.

The new puppy away from the litter

Easing the first lonely nights in a strange new crate.

The velcro dog who follows you room to room

A reassuring something-close for the dog who unravels the moment you step away.

The benefits

Comfort that fits real life.

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Supports calmer nights

A consistent cue to help wind down at bedtime.

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Helps crate time feel less lonely

A familiar presence inside their space.

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Drug-free comfort

No supplements, no medication — just soothing cues.

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Soft and cozy for daily use

Made to be held, hugged, and rested against.

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Great for puppies, rescues & seniors

Gentle comfort across every life stage.

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Easy to add to their routine

Place it, switch it on, and let them settle.

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Portable from bed to crate

Comfort that travels wherever they rest.

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Designed for everyday reassurance

Not just for hard days — for ordinary ones too.

The difference

More than an ordinary plush toy.

Hartley

Ordinary plush toy

Treats & distractions

Rhythmic heartbeat

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Holds their body warmth

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Built for bedtime & crate routines

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Drug-free comfort

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Comfort when you’re away

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Self-soothing

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Premium Double Stitching & Materials

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Comparison reflects product category in general, not any specific brand.

Our story

Named after the dog who started it.

Hartley was the calm our rescue, Cooper, leaned on — the warm body and steady heartbeat a dog who’d already been left finally let himself trust, and fell asleep against every night. When we lost her, Cooper came undone: pacing, waiting at the door, unable to sleep. We couldn’t bring her back. But the first night we tucked a soft companion with a gentle heartbeat against him, he finally settled. We named it Hartley, after her — and made more for every dog missing a heartbeat of their own.

Read the full story →

Comfort stories

Real comfort stories go here.

- Verified customer quotes during launch -

★★★★★

We adopted a rescue who panicked the second we left — pacing, barking, working herself into a state. We’d honestly started to wonder if we could keep her. A few nights with the heartbeat tucked into her bed and she finally began settling when we stepped out. It isn’t magic, but it’s the first thing that actually helped.

Rescue owner

- Marianna O

★★★★★

My old girl couldn’t settle at night — up pacing from 8pm, only sleeping once she’d worn herself out, and dragging us up with her. With the heartbeat beside her she stopped circling and slept through for the first time in weeks. We both finally rest.

Senior-dog owner

- Rebecca T

★★★★★

The first nights home were brutal — nonstop crate crying, nobody sleeping. I tucked this in with him like the guide suggested, and by the third night the crying eased and he’d curl right up against it. Wish I’d had it on night one.

New-puppy owner

- Alissa M

★★★★☆

Honestly thought it was a gimmick — a plush with a heartbeat, sure. It took about a week of using it every night, but my velcro dog now settles with it when I leave the room instead of panic-barking. Didn’t expect to be writing this.

“I was skeptical too”

- Michael T

Choose your pack

Comfort for every dog who needs it.

♥Try it for 30 nights. If it doesn’t help them settle, send it back.

Why more than one? Many homes have more than one anxious dog. Some owners keep one in the crate and one in the bed. And a Companion makes a thoughtful gift for another dog parent — no pressure either way.

♥

30-Night Comfort Guarantee

Try it as part of your dog’s nightly routine. If it is not the right fit, contact us within 30 days. Results vary, and that is okay.

No comfort object is a magic fix for every dog. If yours isn’t calmer, email us for a full refund — keep the plush.

The specifics

Product details

What’s included

The Hartley plush and the heartbeat unit — plus a free Story of Hartley booklet with every order.

A real plush, not a cartoon toy

Modeled on a real, beloved dog, with natural coloring meant to feel like a companion rather than a toy.

Heartbeat Unit Instructions

A steady, heartbeat-like rhythm with one simple on/off button. The unit is fully removable.

Materials

Soft flannel outer with a soft polyester fill. Skin-friendly, non-toxic, and odorless.

Size

Hartly: 15 cm x 44 cm | 5.9 in x 17.3 in
Heartbeat: 8 cm x 7 cm | 3.2 in x 2.8 in

Cleaning

Washing machine/Hand washing safe. Precautions to remove the heartbeat before washing.

Warmth

By default, no active heater — the soft, insulating flannel holds your dog’s own body warmth. An optional reusable Gentle-Warmth Insert is available for cold nights

Safety notes

No hard plastic parts and no choking hazards. Still, supervise based on your dog’s chewing habits and remove the product if it becomes damaged.

Questions

Honest answers

Does this cure separation anxiety?

For some pets it does, and for others it may only work as a way to sooth them. Hartley by no means has the power to instantly fix any issues but you can count on it to provide relief/comfort and do her part. For severe anxiety, panic, injury risk, or destructive behavior, speak with a veterinarian or qualified behavior professional.

Does it actually work, or is it just another gadget?

It is not magic, and no comfort aid works for every dog. What it does is simple — a steady, heartbeat-like rhythm and soft, warmth-holding fabric give an anxious dog something close and familiar to settle against, the way they would rest against another body. Many dogs relax into it within a few nights of consistent use; some take longer, and a few never take to it. That is why it comes with a 30-night guarantee: try it as part of their routine, and if it does not help them settle, send it back.

What if my dog ignores it?

Some dogs need time. Try placing it near their bed or crate during calm moments first, then use it consistently as part of their routine.

Is it safe to leave with my dog?

Use under appropriate supervision based on your dog’s chewing habits. If your dog tends to destroy plush toys and constantly swallows fabric, remove the product and consult your vet about the behavior.

Is the heartbeat loud?

It should feel like a soft rhythmic presence, not a loud sound.

Does it heat up / is there a heater?

By default there’s no active heater — the soft, insulating plush simply holds your dog’s own warmth. If you’d like a little extra on cold nights, we offer an optional reusable Gentle-Warmth Insert that tucks inside. Use it supervised, and remove it before leaving your dog unattended.

Can I wash it?

Yes. The heartbeat unit pops out, and the whole plush is machine washable (hand washing is fine too). Just take the unit out first.

Is it only for puppies?

No. It can be used for puppies, rescue dogs, senior dogs, and dogs who like extra comfort.

How long does shipping take?

Most orders arrive within 5–9 business days. Read our shipping policy here.

The calm after

Picture the quiet that comes after.

The house is still. Your dog is asleep in their own bed, breathing slow and even. You can step out for groceries, or turn off the light, without that familiar knot of dread in your chest.

It doesn’t happen for every dog, and rarely on the first night. But when a routine finally clicks, the calm is real — for them, and for you.

Free shipping on every order30-night comfort guaranteeA real, rhythmic heartbeatDrug-free comfortRemovable heart · machine washableModeled on a real, beloved dogFree Story of Hartley bookletFor rescues, seniors, puppies & velcro dogs