Anyway.............go in your way back machine to this post where I mentioned my pup's fear of thunderstorms. He was a wreck that night and after reading this article on the Animal Coalition of Delaware's Blog I really got to thinking. I hate watching my puppy suffer! In the past the vet never really put much stock in the t-storm anxiety. But, it has been so much worse lately and now is "boomer season" in our neck of the woods. So, I called my vet.
Hubby and I took the Pupster up to the vet last night for a 15 minute meeting that turned into almost an hour. He sat with us and went over everything from behavior modification (which I have been trying), to natural drugs, to anti-anxiety drugs like zanex and prosaic. One of the things that he recommended to try first, along with behavior modification, was a D.A.P. Diffuser that contains dog pheromones. What? Pheromones? Seriously? Well, I must have had SUCKER written on my forehead because I walked out of the office $80 poorer. But, I had that diffuser and a refill!
We got home and I plugged it in. Would this thing really work or would I have just pissed away my last $80 until payday? Well, about a half hour later a batch of t-storms blew thru and some were on the violent side. We had the ultimate testing grounds! Normally the dog would be all up in my lap while shaking his little brains into jelly and panting until he could barely breathe. This time when the thunder boomed he sat up and took notice like he normally would. He also got as close to me as he could get, but he didn't try to get in my lap or walk all over me. He only gave two minor shakes during the whole storm. Eventually, in the middle of the storm, I got him to calmly lay down beside me instead of sitting right up against me. What a difference! It was amazing! I can't wait for the next thunderstorm to come our way because I want to make sure it wasn't a one time thing. I promise to keep you all updated......
Oh, by the way, if you want to try it for yourself, DO NOT buy it at your vet's office. I found it for half the cost at Amazon.com. So, if this thing really does work I'll be buying refills next payday!
Happy Stitching!
9 comments:
Yes, I've heard about the DAP and really appreciate the info on this.
They also have a spray for travel that you can spritz on a blanket for the dog. My Mariposa pup has an issue with travel. We used Bachs Rescue Remedy and it did help but I think I'll add the spriz after your kind review. THANKS AGAIN!
The Pheromone thing works for cats too! When I introduced a new kitten into my home a few years ago my older cat wasn't happy. They started attacking each other and marking. I tried the pheromone diffuser and low and behold they settled in. Truly amazing therapy for a skeptic.
I really hope it wasn't a one-time thing for the sake of your pup! Thunderstorms can be scary be it animal or human. I know that last night we had a clap-boom come out of nowhere and my cat and I jumped out of our skins. She is a bit of a fraidy cat, but not to that extreme.
I'll have to keep this in mind. We're about to welcome a furry bundle of joy here next month and who knows what it's personality will be like, so I'll remember this.
I have a pup who hates thunderstorms and fireworks too. How long does it take to work after you plug it in?
i have used it for our cats. we used to have one that sprayed all the time and the plug in for cats worked like a charm. i was one happy cat owner.
Thanks for the info. We take our dog to my parents place in the summer and they get tons of fireworks at their cabin and lots of thunderstorms so the DAP would really come in handy.
Wow ~ thanks Jennifer! My Sheba has thunderstorm anxiety...we will give this a try!
I am really glad this worked for you!
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