Can anyone tell me about their success or failure using DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromones)?

Question

I've recently purchased a DAP difuser (one that plugs in) for my 6 month old puppy who is very attached to me and cries loudly and constantly when I'm gone (I can hear him from more than a block away!). I'll be going back to work part-time soon, and I'm trying to slowly get him used to spending time alone. The DAP seemed to help the first few times we used it. But the last time I used it he cried (more like screaming really!) the whole time I was gone and when I got back he ran all over looking for where the DAP scent was coming from. He's done that several times. When he finds it, he sniffs at it madly, almost as if he thinks it's another dog. If I unplug it, he runs like mad all over the apartment looking for the scent. Does anyone have any experience with DAP? What about the collars or the spray, how do they work?

I have crated my dog when we're away (and at night when he was a puppy), but in fact, it's when he's crated that he screams the most! However, when we left him in a small area and put up everything that could harm him, he did okay most of the time. One time however he got very destructive, which is when I went back to the crate and his screaming resumed! As for the difuser, I never let him near it. I put it where he cannot reach it. As for the training, in general he is a very well behaved dog, and very smart. He knows many commands. I did leave him alone for short amounts of time when he was younger, but it seems recently (he's 6 months and going through puberty! lol that he's having a real problem with it. I also don't act excited when I come home... I play it cool and ignore him for a bit or make him sit and greet me calmly. Any other suggestions? I'm thinking of putting an x-pen in the living room...? Wondering if I should invest in the DAP collar...?

Answer 1

I don't believe anything can replace a dogs desire to be with its owner. I think dogs should be crated and secure whenever they are left alone. Most people don't realize but the crate will become a place the dog feels safe and secure until you return. It will also relieve you of the anxiety as you approach your door. Is my dog OK? Did he get in to anything that harmed him? Eventually when both you and the dog figure out it is okay to be crated, you will both feel better.........Oh, I have heard of such products but, don't really like the idea of a dog playing with a plugged in item.

Answer 2

I'm sure you're now finding out that gadgets will never replace training. Your puppy needs behavioral treatment - you need to start leaving home for a few minutes each day so he knows his family will always come back. You increase the time in short increments until he's better. Never, ever make a fuss of any kind when you leave - don't say good-bye, don't look at him, just go out the door. Same thing when you come home, ignore him for just a few minutes while you take your shoes off, hang up your jacket, etc. Then greet him QUIETLY and very calmly, do not make a fuss of him. Save that till later so he doesn't associate it with you coming and going.

Also, there's an antidepressent drug called Clomicalm that vets can prescribe to treat anxiety. A lot of dogs have had really good success with this drug used in combination with behaviour modification. If your dog's problem is severe, you might want to ask your vet about it.

Answer 3

I actually used the feline version of that, but it didn't really work. It was supposed to take up to 3 weeks to modify behavior. I used it for 3 months!

Anyways, a little off topic, talk to your vet. My cat had severe seperation anxiety (much like your dog) and there are many things you can try. I do believe they have Prozac for dogs. I know they gave it to my cat. I don't think that solved the problem all the way, but it certainly did help. He stopped crying so much in the mornng. The marking continued, but I think that was a medical problem. Well anyways, best of luck.