Loading ...Managing Dogs Fear of Noise This 4th; D.A.P is Pet Product of the Week
The folks at D.A.P (Dog Appeasing Pheremone) are encouraging dog owners to help calm their dogs from the thunderstorms and fireworks this weekend. D.AP., made by Ceva Animal Health, is a synthetic pheromone-based product that helps soothe noise induced stress in pooches, and can help fear, anxiety, and erratic and unwanted behaviors like panting, cowering, hiding and house destruction.
“By replicating the comforting pheromones of a mother dog, D.A.P. helps alleviate fear and stress-related behaviors to calm our dogs,” said Dr. Debra Horwitz, a leading veterinarian and authority on canine behavior. “Research has shown that the appeasing pheromone can be very effective in providing simple, effective treatment for dogs with stress and fear-related conditions.”
Available at vet clinics in three convenient forms, the D.A.P. products include:
- D.A.P. Diffuser: an easy-to-use, electric plug-in diffuser that comes with a 48 ml bottle of D.A.P. For up to one month, the diffuser releases the active ingredient into any environment that dogs may seek refuge in during noisy events. Refill bottles are available.
- D.A.P. Spray: a 75 ml spray bottle that can be applied directly on comfort surfaces for dogs (crates, bedding, etc.) in conjunction with the diffuser.
- D.A.P. Collar: stays with your dog, providing pheromone therapy during loud events that can cause fear and stress. Each collar lasts up to one month.
Dr. Horwitz also offers up some other tips on managing dogs’ fear and stress through storms and fireworks:
- Sweet Distractions: try to distract the dog with playful activities, or training with food during the noisy event.
- Lighten the mood: be careful not to reward negative behaviors by petting and reassuring the dog as it acts out; this will make the dog feel even more so like there is something to fear. Instead of a sympathetic voice, use a happy or playful voice. This will lend the dog confidence.
- Shelter from the Storm: avoid keeping the dog enclosed in a particular room, and instead provide them with a safe and comfortable area, such as their crate in a quiet room or familiar resting place.
- Volume of Confidence: try familiarizing the dog to a particular noise by playing audio from thunderstorms or fireworks softly, gradually increasing the volume as the dog gets used to it.
- Treating the source: use a pheromone therapy, such as Ceva’s D.A.P. to work in conjunction with these tips as well as a larger behavior modification program. Unlike medications that sedate the dog or can cause other negative side effects, D.A.P. provides a sound and gentle solution, mimicking the natural pheromone released by a mother dog to calm her pups.
To order D.A.P. products, click here. Have a happy July 4th everyone, and good luck during this thunderstorm season!
I hope woo have a safe holiday!
The golf khourse has a display at dusk but I’ll be with my SibeStas -
Merdie my Golden(doof)Triever khousin is staying with us fur the weekend…Mom will take good khare of her tomorrow night!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
I am all for natural and safe treatments! And I wish a safe and happy 4th of July for all of our furry friends.
UGH! I hate fireworks! I will be velcro’d to mom’s leg during all the noise! The boomers don’t bother Mitch! He’s a boy!
Have a happy 4th!
Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch
We have used D.A.P. diffusers for Phantom in the past but never noticed a big difference. Thanks for all the timely suggestions.
Woos, the OP Pack
When we have had fireworks displays close to us, we like to play music or have the television going. It can help the firework noises blend in to the background a bit.
Happy 4th of July!:)
Thanks for great information. If I had a dog, I’d try one of the D.A.P. products. My elderly cat naps most of the time and about the only thing that gets her attention is the smell of my husband cooking.
Have a happy 4th!
three of us hate the fireworks, and Baxter just sleeps. what a kid.
woofs.
Hi
Norwood’s cousin Tula uses DAP. Every little bit helps.
Happy 4th and 5th
norwood
Happy 4th of July!
I hate fireworks.
xoxo,
Thor