Showing posts with label pheromones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pheromones. Show all posts

Friday, August 1, 2008

Separation Anxiety Help

My greyhound Maggie, has severe separation anxiety, and is also terrified of thunderstorms, fireworks, etc. After a year of major behavioral issues, when I was absolutely at my wits' end, someone at my car mechanic's shop suggested dog pheromones. (To be honest, I thought she was insane.) However, I had nothing to lose, as I had already exhausted my options and tried all of the suggestions that my vet made and that the adoption agency had. I went to PetSmart and bought a Nutri-Vet Pet-Ease dog pheromone diffuser (it plugs into the wall like an air freshener, but you smell nothing). From what I understand, it contains a pheromone that the mother dog emits in the first weeks of a puppy's life that is soothing and calming.

Much to my amazement, it worked immediately. It has now been several months and she hasn't had a SINGLE accident, compared to daily accidents and destructive behavior beforehand. It's not a cure for every dog...from the online reviews it seems to either work very well or have no effect whatsoever. (It covers about 400sf.) But for Maggie and I it has been a lifesaver. Now I don't even have to crate her while I am at work.

Here are some helpful links:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-06-10-thunder-dogs_N.htm
http://www.k9centre.co.uk/dap.php
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1502
http://www.dognthecity.com/articles/greyhound%20adoptio...hound_adoption_4.htm
http://www.azgreyhoundrescue.org/html/separation.htm