Pheromone Scents : Calming Products for Anxious Dogs and Puppy Introduction. Anyone have experiance with Pheromone products?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Recently I have received a lot of emails and have heard others mention that they are using natural pheromone scents in dogs with anxious behaviors.  Here is just a little information, some references AND would love some feedback from those of you who have tried these products.   

What are pheromone scents?
Pheromones released by the mother during lactation give puppies a sense of well-being and reassurance, known as appeasing pheromones.  Also known as appeasing hormones.

How are they being used:
Pheromone Scents are being used to help with some behavior problems such as noise phobias, separation anxiety, territorial behaviors, new people or pets, car travel anxiety, and anytime there are "unpredictable" events.
Pheromone products claim to be natural and a Drug Free alternative for panic attacks in dogs.
 ( please read about the particular product you buy  )

Products

• DAP® Dog Appeasing Pheromone from Ceva Sante Animale
• Comfort Zone® from Veterinary Product Labs

(any other products out there I have not found--please list )

DAP diffusers --The plug-in DAP diffuser releases apaisine continuously. Each plug-in diffuser is believed to have the capability to infuse apaisine into a 650-square-foot area and can even last to as long as 4 weeks

DAP Collar
Plastic collars are worn by the dog and last up to  4 weeks

Pheromone Sprays

Pheromone Plug Ins

A few Helpful  links--and there are many more!

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/behaviortraining/gr/DAP-Dog-Collar.htm

What are pheromones and how do they work in animals    ( a good explanation here )

http://dogappeasingpheromone.com/

http://www.naturalpets.com/feliwayanddap1.html

[Christine & Camus]

Hi, I used the DAP plugin difusser for Nietzsche. He had an extreme case of separation anxiety so I was ready to try anything. Not a miracle worker, however it did help. It seemed to be soothing for him, enough so that he began to take a toy or bone and go outside with it. When the first unit ran out I did not replace it immediately and he reverted to being super clingy, afraid to leave my side. Bought another one and within a few hours of plugging it in he visibly relaxed - going outside again, as well as letting me leave the room for a few minutes without running after me. Not a major change, but it helped him enough to justify the expense. I am going to try the collar for Camus.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Thank you Christine!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Another question--COSTS. Where do you purchase these products and about how much do they cost?

[Christine & Camus]

I keyed "Farnam Comfort Zone DAP for Dogs" in my browser and followed the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=comfort+zone+dap&...

The best price for the diffuser was from EntirelyPets $21.20 with free shipping:

http://www.amazon.com/Farnam-Comfort-Zone-Dogs-Diffuser/dp/B000J3HZ...

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Thanks Christine.

[shelly]

I've been off for a while - crazy busy.... I too am always looking for something to calm the 'savage beast' - lol.... tori still gets SOOOO crazy when people are outside - walking, the mailman, UPS, anyone! The thundershirt's just not doing much at home.. jury's still out as to IF it's working in the car, but she loves wearing it! So I'm willing to try the Dap.. LOVE to hear more too!

[shelly]

I wonder if it has an effect on PEOPLE????

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

A few years ago there was a popular perfume that used pheromones to attract the opposite sex. They say Humans are calmed by lavender. Lots and lots of information on how scents effect humans.

This week while walking outside there was one spot that smelled like Patchouli--a blast from my past! No one was around--but I certainly was taken back to the good old 70's. Smells and emotions--that is an entire book on its own.

When I worked in a hospital visitors where encouraged to bring in scents to help comatose patients...... etc

[F, Calla & Luca]

Pheremones certainly are known to work on people. But I doubt the dog products are effective for people : )

[Kyoko]

I was wondering about that, too. Especially the plug in kind.... We may have a clam happy family.....

[F, Calla & Luca]

I never like the idea of these plug in diffusers because of possible bad effects from the vapors. One of the articles Joanne listed mentioned that this could be a problem with volatile fatty acids. "Precautions and Side Effects
* Fatty acids vaporizing can be quite risky. For example, palmitic acid can irritate the eyes, skin, and the respiratory mucosa. 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z), commonly known as oleic acid is considered as a mutagen, tumorigen, and primary irritant, as stated by NIOSH."
I don't think a collar would be the same problem though.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Whoa--F. Parker, I am your biggest fan! Diffusers have caused me problems on more than one occasion. Fabreeze and a few others really bother me. I have even tried to investigate getting them out of public places because of the misery they've caused me. I thought Canada has already outlawed diffusers in public places (?)and I believe Detroit MI, did as well.
I've spent hours on the internet looking into this--not much luck. I read what you read but was a little reserved about placing it in the discussion except for the little note:
( please read about the particular product you buy ) because I've been told I was crazy--there are NO listed complaints against diffusers and that I must be just causing trouble. I even lost one job because I complained about diffusers placed in the cars--something I just could not tolerate.
This week with my current job I walk into my office, hold my breathe, get my stuff and get out. I have a bad cold and the diffuser just sets me off for the rest of the day.
Before you posted, I had already thought to myself, collars look good to me, diffusers were OUT in my situation.