Hi there, I really want some advice on the DAP diffuser?
Has anybody had positive results with it?
I have a x collie who has recently started to tear things up and howl a lot whilst i am out?
He has become a different dog since he had to stay in at vets a few months ago? I put him in the kitchen when I am out or at work and he was fine for the first two months(we have not long moved) and after he was in vets for a week, he now shakes and cries when i leave him?
He even has the radio on. he blankets and his toys.
Our neighbour is now complaining....
will one of these help, i was thinking about some lavender oils and rescue remedy?
Karlai

Sounds as if the vet visit may have sparked something off. I have had excellent results with the DAP, but I also know of others that feel it has made no difference to their dogs. Maybe it depends on the individual.

Take my dog, a BSD bitch. She was brought up by her breeder and by me to be fine with noises and fireworks and, for such a sensitive breed, was really calm and accepting until one day we had some teenagers let off those very loud bangers close by. She was very frightened and of course, that led to fear during the firework season which really started when the bangers came out :(

The following year, I got the DAP and plugged it in a few days before we expected any fireworks, and also ensured my own behaviour and that of my partner was not adding to any anxiety... after a few days, she was actually dozing whilst fireworks went off all round!

I also used to play with her toys and give her tasty titbits when fireworks went off nearby to help her associate them with pleasant things.

I haven't used it for any other kind of anxiety, but based on my experience with fireworks, I woulds say there's no harm and it may help!
You do need to keep it switched on all the time though. and ideally I would imagine get to the root of the problem (ie is it true SA or are there noises in the house or outside he is scared of, and so on). It might be an idea to get in a reputable behaviourist to assess the problem also :)

There are also a few books re separation anxiety, if that is what it is.

Good luck
Lindsay
X

Thanks!
I have been reading up on the DAP and it sounds like a really good idea, i gave him rescue remedy yesterday afternoon, and my neighbour said he never heard a peep out of him? :)
so maybe that will help.
Lucky is also scared of fireworks, REAL BAD! :(
We have neighbours who let them off all night and he gets very scared, so i think it wld be wise to invest in one one of those diffusers as i will need it eventually?
Thanks again!

I have used the spray at classes and so far I think a good result, unless the dogs were just quieter that week.:-) I have also used Ignatia for seperation anxiety for my border collie. Worked very well. I also know someone that used the cd for thunder and fireworks, gradually using it over the months leading upto firework night, if there is such a thing, as they always seem to be going off. But she said it has worked quite well for him, he is also a sound sensitive border collie. :-)

Too good to be true, i went out for an hour today and Lucky went MAD!
:( i gave him the Rescue Remedy like yesterday and set up the video camera so i cud see what he was up to.
He howled for about half an hour and went thru the bins?
No such luck for me eh? :(
I thought it were sorted....

Have you tried the ignatia yet? Everything takes time but the ignatia worked very quickly with my girlie. Worth a try. Also when you go out break down each bit of getting ready into individual bits. Put makeup on, comb hair. Take a seat for a few mins. Go to the loo, sit for a few mins, pick up car keys, change mind put them down, wait and then pick them up again. Gradually make your way to the door. If the dog is settled then go out door wait and listen. If you can hear noises from inside go back in and pretend that you have forgotten something. Don't speak to dog just pick something up and leave. If all is quiet go to car and start engine, leave engine running and return to door, listen and repeat the process if needs be. Also you could make a tape of household noises and play in another room when you leave so that the dog still thinks you are in. Good Luck, give it a go and let us know what happens. It will take time. Explain to the neighbour about the problem that you are having since going to the vets and ask for their understanding. Tell them you are taking steps to help the dog be more settled and ask them to let you know how long it is before he starts to make a fuss. They might be compounding his problems by leaving shortly after you, in which case a car being started up could also be put on the tape of noises. 

Hello,

Thanks for your help, I do leave the radio on so I dont know why it didnt occur to me that i can make a tape of houshold noises!
I dont know what ignatia is? is it a oil? and where can i get it from?
Yesterday we pretended to leave on a few occasions but sat on the stairs to see what noises he made. I have never heard a dog howl like mine did! He did calm down after 5 mins or so? I got some stuff from Pets at home, which has St Johns Wort in it? But it doesnt say how long to give it to him before i go out? :/
We had set up a video camera and watched him on TV? he was better.
We have been talking to our neighbour, explained we never knew and we are trying our best to sort it.
He knows we are trying.
I am goin to keep pretending to leave and see what happens, each time make it longer that i am 'out'.
Karlai

Ignatia is a homeopathic remedy that comes in tablet form. You can get it from Ainsworths Homeopathy in Surrey. Their telephone no.is 01883 340332 Ask for 30c potency and give one tablet three times daily for up to a week. You may find it works quicker than a week but if not try it for the whole week then stop for a few days and start again for a few days. Give it preferably 30 mins before feeding and leave 30 mins after giving before feeding anything. I hope it works for you. Nothing worse than a dog that pines when you are away. Good Luck. :-) 

OK, i will be trying everything i can!
i have ordered off internet a DAP diffuser and will also be get getting some ignatia as well.
Anything that will help, today we left for an hour. he was palying with his ball, chasing it around the kitchen for about an hour and then he started barking, but not for long, about 10 mins?
We are goin to try and leave him a bit longer tomorrow.
I go bk to work on Tues and am worried.... :(
We have explained to the neighbour that we are doing what we can and it wont stop overnight. He seems to be happy that we are doing what we can...

Can I ask where you ordered the defuser from as I am thinking about ordering one

Thanks
Lynn

hiya
i got mine from ebay? £17.99 inc P &P
lots of pet shops online do them too, this was the cheaper option for me. :)

Thanks, I will look on ebay. What was life before ebay

jumbuck,
got my ignatia today!
how long do i give it to him for? only a week?
do i wean him off them IF they work?

You have to monitor him each day for a change in behaviour and if it looks like it is working then gradually reduce dosage over a few days. If it doesn't then give for a week and then stop to see if there is any difference. Wait for about three days and start again. You may find that they will work straight away or they may take another few days to work. All homeopathic treatments are used over a short duration and then stopped for awhile and then resumed for another few days. Some are used on a 'on/off' treatment regime. Some are used longer, but ignatia in my case worked quite quickly and helped even after I stopped using it. Thank goodness. :-) Good Luck, let me know in about a week how it goes. If it doesn't seem to work you can always combine it with scutellaria, but more about that after trying ignatia.

thank you :)
i will keep u informed on how we get on?

how are you getting on, would love to know as have parsons terrier with really bad seperation anxiety, not had much luck with rescue remedy, though the DAP seems to help with night time, she has now made it onto the landing.

has the homeopathic stuff helped?

Chloe and Buffy

Karlai has emailed me to say that there has been improvement with the ignatia so hopefully we are winning.:-)

Hiya,
he has been on these tablets for just over a week and he is no lnoger howling, he has good days and bad days, we figured he doesnt like the radio and stopped leaving that on now.
he still does cry when we leave but not destructive or howling now.
Karlai

Thats great I might give them a try If things don't improve over the next week or so.... Buffy is a fantastic dog but currently I can't leave her at all, night times are much improved and she has now spent four nights in a row on the landing all night with no crying! yey!! with her DAP which I think has made a difference?

I can leave her in the car for hours at the yard in her crate with the boot open out of her sight... but try it the house and all three sets of neighbours can here exactly when shes left!! so much for the burglar alarm..... I think its a burglar all clear system!!!

My trainer has been a great help... so will discuss with her these tablets!

This sight is great, I now know I'm not the only one having these problems

Chloe and Buffy

You are def not on your own!
I love this site too, cos everyone is soo helpful :)
We have a DAP diffuser on standby as well. We dont want to use that until we are done with these tablets, he is soon to be weaned off them soon.
We made a tape of us talking and played that for the first few days and he settled a lot quicker, he is in the kitchen with the dog gate up and we boarded off one side so he cant see thru. He must think we are on the other side of the gate! LOL
My neighbour complained, but i think he is bk on side now. :)