DAP (dog appeasing pheromone)

I've heard mixed reviews, so I think the answer is probably that it varies from dog to dog, some it really helps and others won't even notice it.  IMO, for a dog with SA, it would be worth trying, since it can be such a debilitating and painful problem for both dog and owner.   

I used the spray with Jeagar and it seemed to work - a little. He had a very, very severe case of SA though. I also used one when I first got Casey - as he was sooo stressed - that was the first time I had used one, so I don't really know if it worked, or if he just got used to my house.

I think, at the very least, it's worth a shot.

Yeah, I'm thinking its definitely worth a try, but I'm not sure how the owner is going to feel.  She's pretty skeptical about training methods in general, and I'm sure she's going to want some proof that his stuff works.  But I really think that, even if it helped a little, it would be great.  I realize that its probably not going to stop the behavior altogether (especially since he's a 3y/o and has probably been doing it for those three whole years), but any help would be something. 

DAP did *not* work with Maggie's confinement anxiety (not true SA, but appeared like it when she was crated).  On the various training lists I'm on it appears that about 50% of dogs respond to it.

 I tried it on Dakota and it seemed to work for the first couple of days. After that it didn't seem to help.

I'm going to try it on my SA puppy though. 

Honestly it sounds like another lame attempt for a quick fix. Why is it that 50 years ago dogs were less likely to have SA, needs prong collars and have abnormal issues, LOL?

People today are too impatient and arnt willing to put the time and energy into training a dog. Gosh how did humans get along without such tools for DECADES, LOL. Its laughable to me.

What else has she tried?

I tried the spray when we went on vacation.  I sprayed it on a dog shirt and Kenya wore the shirt.  I can't say whether or not it worked.  She didn't really have any bad reactions so maybe it worked, or maybe vacation just didn't stress her out.

AuroraLove

What else has she tried?

 At class Wednesday she basically told me that she'd given up and just put the vacuum in front of the door (apparently he is terrified of the vacuum cleaner, so he won't tear up the door if they leave it in front of it).    I'm just wondering how long it will be until he decides to start tearing up something else instead.  But hey, I can't give help if she doesn't want it.  She said that she didn't even try the crate thing, so obviously she doesn't care too much about it.

Where do you get this stuff?

My vet brought it up at our appointment on Friday.  He thinks it would help Luke with his *mild* stressing during thunderstorms and/or fireworks.  Moreso, he wonders if a few calmer episodes with the assistance of the DAP would make his issues go away entirely.  I, personally, don't think that Luke's reaction to thunderstorms is THAT bad (mild panting at thunder), but my vet doesn't want it to get worse.

He also wondered if the collar version would be of any use in Kaiser's people-issues.  If it's not terribly expensive I wouldn't be opposed to trying it.

Karissa, I got a spray version at Petsmart.  I spray it on the crate cover and crate pad (Kenya goes in her crate on her own), or spray it on a dog sweater and have the dog wear it.  Just don't spray it directly on the dog.  I think the spray was less than $10.  The diffuser thing for an outlet would have been more like $30 or more.

I'd definitely suggest the spray for starters, because you can put it anywhere.  And it isn't too expensive, but I guess that depends on how often you use it.  What I would do instead of getting the collar (because, the way I understand it, it only lasts for one month, regardless of how much you actually need it), is spray it on a bandana and just have the dog wear that around his neck.  The shirt idea is also a good one, but I know that not everyone has doggie shirts.   

Workingdoglover

she'd given up and just put the vacuum in front of the door (apparently he is terrified of the vacuum cleaner, so he won't tear up the door if they leave it in front of it).  

OMG how sad! It must be very hard for you to bite your tongue and listen to her tell you that. What a horrid way to try and manage her dog.

Oh, believe me, it was difficult...but like I said, I can't help her if she doesn't want it...sadly...  :(  I feel for the poor dog, though.

Thanks for the tips!  I'll have to look the next time I'm at PetSmart.  We can definitely try the bandana route.