Do Dog Appeasing Pheromones (DAPs) work?

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There are so many Dog Appeasing Pheromones (DAPs) around, it is a question that we are often asked here at The Good Kennel Guide, with that in mind we have conducted our own research into them to help dog owners.

What are "Dog Appeasing Phermones" (DAP)s replica products and how do they work?

There are many synthetic products that are designed to replicate "dog appeasing pheromones". These are the pheromones released by mother dogs in the days after giving birth to her puppies. The pheromone comforts and supports the mother dog and the puppies and gives them confidence to explore the world calmly. They aren't generally detectable from species to species so humans can't detect dogs pheromones but it is likely that dogs can sense human pheromones (due to their strong sense of smell). Products containing replica pheromones can help pets (dogs and cats) to remain calm when they are home alone, if they are nervous dogs around visitors in the home, if they are scared of loud noises such as fireworks or if they become stressed when travelling. In scientific studies, DAP has been proven to help treat dog separation anxiety, and can help dogs in situations where they might be feeling anxious, such as during thunder storms.

Products are designed to release the replica phermones when stress is triggered by the dog's temperature increasing. Most products will last for around 4 weeks so it can be an expensive option. For products such as diffusers and plug ins, you can generally purchase a refill which will be cheaper than buying a whole new item each time. Please bear in mind that it is not recommended to use DAP collar on dog's who have lesions on their skin or skin complaints as these might be aggravated by the release of the replica pheromone. Some products are synthetically produced and others contain natural ingredients.

Do Dog Appeasing Phermones (DAP)s really work?

Feedback is mixed and depends upon your dog, but reviews show that around 70-85% of people rate products as 4 or 5 stars (out of 5). Many people assume that they don't work but then do notice a difference when their diffuser or collar wears out and an improvement when they have been replaced. Studies have shown that dog appeasing pheromone products can work, particularly in younger dogs and puppies when they first socialising with other dogs. Any use of Dog appeasing pheromones or replica pheromones should be in conjunction with positive reinforcement training.

It is important to highlight that whereas any of these products help to manage your dog's stress and anxiety symptoms. they do not treat the anxiety and stress itself. The pheromones are not known to have any negative side effects so it might be down to giving them a go with your dog and seeing if they help your individual situation. It is also worth trying out some of the other remedies we have identified in this article to see what works best for your dog.