my 4 month jack russell is terrible when we leave her. we put her in the kitchen where she has her bed, a cushion, plenty of toys and water and a heater, radio, etc, but the second we shut her in she goes mental, scrabbles at the door and makes noises not dissimilar to a flock of seagulls (?) she seems fairly settled when we get back, and very very enthusiastically happy to see us, but i don't know how long the stressy stage lasts. is this separation anxiety ? well anyway, i was wondering if a DAP diffuser would help this situation or do they only really work if u use them as soon as they leave their mum ? has anyone used one ?

please help, it makes leaving my baby very hard :( (although taking time off college to stay with puppy seems like an excellent idea :D )

sarah

what every you do don't use a zapper on a pup when left alone it will drive her mad. teach her to be left alone when you are there. leave her for a few minutes in the kitchen when you go up stairs or another room when you go back DON'T praise her just walk in and carry on as if nothing has happened if you make a fuss you are making a big thing about leaving her. Gradually extend the time she is left alone and things should improve.

All pups carry on like this at first, how long do you leave her? I stuff a smoked bone with some meat to keep mine quiet when she is bored, works wonders.

I have just heard an awful story about a Ridgeback that wears a zapper coller when let out in the garden. He has a perimeter boundary activator and when he goes through it zaps him, owners out all day cleaner lets him out and forgets him, doesn't check him, he runs through the boundary gets zapped and goes mad and has now attacked the sheep in the farmer field and killed 17 sheep. Family say he is a lovely dog no trouble but the farmer found him totally demented and foaming at the mouth, did the zapper send him mad for a bit with fright? who knows but the owners weren't there to find out.

I think the poster is refering to a plug in scent diffuser - like Glade etc only instead of perfume it gives off a scent which is similar to the scent a bitch has to calm the puppies. I know of someone who feels it calmed her bitch when in labour, but i am waiting to hear if anyone has had any definite results with puppies....anyone???

Why mention zappers?

Yappy,

"have just heard an awful story about a Ridgeback that wears a zapper coller when let out in the garden. He has a perimeter boundary activator and when he goes through it zaps him, owners out all day cleaner lets him out and forgets him, doesn't check him, he runs through the boundary gets zapped and goes mad and has now attacked the sheep in the farmer field and killed 17 sheep. Family say he is a lovely dog no trouble but the farmer found him totally demented and foaming at the mouth, did the zapper send him mad for a bit with fright? who knows but the owners weren't there to find out. "

You certainly did hear a "story." A dog being driven mad by a static containment fence, foaming at the mouth and killing 17 sheep is utter tripe. It is completely absurb, but perhaps more believable to some than a spaceship came down and aliens killed the sheep for experiments - after driving the dog mad.

Anyway, zappers and diffusers are two entirely different things.

Stacey

I have used one successfully with my one girl for her fear of fireworks. I know of others who have used it for similar situations to yours. Some with success and some not. It's definitely worth trying. You'll need to try for at least a month though. It takes a couple of weeks to saturate the environment, so you are likely to not know for sure until a month has gone by.

Also remember to refill it monthly - even if there's liquid left.

Wendy

I agree with Wendy, it is def. worth trying.

My girl was disturbed by the fireworks this year, :( and the DAP diffuser def. helped her to relax. It took a few days to notice any difference and i would say that it took the edge off her anxiety. Towards the end of the main bout of fireworks, she was able to actually relax and doze off when the fireworks werent too near.

If there was a bang close by, instead of getting very upset, she would just come close to us and sit by us. To sum up, i would say that i would def. recommend giving it a go.

Lindsay

I tried a DAP last year, it did nothing to calm the dogs but reduced me to a dream like state

I used a DAP with one of my dogs when he was a pup as he wouldn't settle through the night and I tried every trick in the book beforehand. It worked a treat and I now use it for fireworks and it certainly takes the edge off of the anxiety.

thanks for all the replies, i've now ordered one so hopefully in a few weeks i'll see if it helps, either she'll be happy or i'll be doped up a treat ! :D

sarah

I was toying with the idea of getting them for my "puppy packs" so if they help my babies settle in their new homes I'll go with it.

As I understand it, for best results they need to be used in a relatively small space (ie small kitchen with door closed) to be effective - it would be no good in a large open plan house for example. Don't expect instant results - often takes 2-4 weeks.....

Hi Digger

I thought that too, but Wendy and my vet put me right :)

We have a very long living room and the DAP works well in there.....but you are supposed to plug it in as close as possible to areas where the dog spends some time.

Lindsay

Hi where can i get one as my 8mth old rottie still whines when left

i just ordered mine from http://www.naturalpetcare.co.uk
they seem to be the cheapest place

Hi Digger - nope doesn't have to be in a small space - they actually have a good range.  I have an open plan and only one plugged in downstairs and that has made a huge difference.  If I had my ideal I'd have another in the bedroom upstairs, but there is no available convenient place to plug it in.

Wendy

De Montfort University at Lincoln are researching how effective DAP plugs are and are interested to hear from any puppy owners who are planning on using them.  I'm not sure about contact details but the Animal Behaviour Unit at the University has a website http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/dbfs/research/index.html 

How many people are there from Lincolnshire(I presume you are jo!!!)
Lea :o)))))))))

Hi

I contacted Lincoln as I am about to start this with Lola (my HyperDobe)
Anyway, their research project is now finished and they say - depending on the cause, it is very effective for anxiety!!

Hope it works in Lola! She has taken to chewing the carpet when left. She isn't alone as she his our other dog for company and they have a dog flap. Shhh don't tell anyone!! A DobeFlap is big enough for my 21 year son!!!:)

:) Annie :)

I thoroughly recommend the DAP Diffuser.  I used it on my dog as he was absolutely terrified of firewoks and became anxious when I put him to bed even if the fireworks weren't going off.

It really settled him within a week.  Well worth the money.

I would also recommend the DAP diffusers, my 6 year old Beardie developed an intense fear of fireworks 3 years ago, he used to slavver, shake and literally crawl up my back, it was so distressing for him. Fireworks go off around here from about August to end of November. I bought mine at Darlington Champ. show, and plugged it in straight away, though I was very sceptical of it. I would not say he is 100% cured, but now he just comes and sits next to me (or the plug), and has been relaxed enough to chew his kong etc. For the price of them, I would definately give them a try.

Kay