Dog Appeasing Pheromone (D.A.P.) Diffuser

StableMum

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Has anyone used one of these and if so did it help at all? New puppy is not settling at all at night so I wondered whether plugging one of these in would help him to settle.
 
I used it for Herman - we got him at 14weeks and he was absolutely NOT HAPPY at the idea of being crated. We got the diffuser (plug it in as near the crate as you can) and sprayed his bed with the spray. We also filled a Kong and left him with that in there too. It took him a couple of nights but it did calm him and we were gradually able to wean him off it.

However :rollseyes: We've had to temporarily move out of our house (building work) and there isn't any room for his crate at his dads house, so he's been sleeping in our room. We will be stockpiling D.A.P for the move back as I cannot imagine for a second that he will appreciate moving back into a crate!
 
We have used Zylkene capsules with much better success than DAP. And several friends swear by it for their dogs in a variety of situations. Here is a brief quote from a vet about how it works:-

"Zylkene is not a drug as such, it is a food supplement made from a protein found in milk. The active ingredient is a peptide (a simple sort of protein molecule) which is able to bind temporarily to certain receptors in the brain. This has a calming influence which is similar in some ways to tranquilliser drugs such as diazepam (“Vallium”), but without the side effects. It has been clinically proven to be effective in dogs and cats (as well as rats and humans). It is supplied in 3 different sizes of capsule, chosen according to the size of the animal to be treated. The capsules are opened and sprinkled on food once daily. The contents seem to taste delicious to most dogs and cats and are easy to give. It is possible to provide treatment for just a few days if it is to cover a particular stressful event, such as travelling away for the weekend. However it is perfectly safe in most situations to give for long periods if needed. Usually a course is given for 2 – 4 weeks then re-assessed."

I got a supply from my vet but there are lots of online vet pharmacys who stock it, no prescription needed. Just check you are getting the correct strength = weight of dog if you decide to try it. Good luck.
 
Has anyone used one of these and if so did it help at all? New puppy is not settling at all at night so I wondered whether plugging one of these in would help him to settle.

Are you doing all the usual, having him spend time in the crate during the day aswell as night and when u are in the house aswell as out, and tiring him out before you put him to bed, and depending on age a teddy bear to mimic a sibling will offer him comfort, and cover the crate, aswell as using a plug in.
 
He is no better at being shut in his crate in the day, even if we are still in the room, He will go into it by himself but gets distressed if the door is shut and he can't get out. He has a filled kong and his toys, but as soon as the door is shut he stops playing with them and starts scrabbling at the bars. In all other ways he is an independent and happy puppy and is learning to sit and come etc very quickly. I think I might puppy-proof the room and leave him tonight with the door open. Also off to get the D.A.P.!
 
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