Vet News Puppy-appeasing pheromones promise satisfying socialization—but does it work?
For stressed-out dogs and rambunctious pups, there’s a remedy distilled from their mother’s milk—well, not really her milk, just the pup-soothing secretions from the sebaceous glands near her nipples.
DAP (aka, “dog appeasing pheromone”) is the result of this distillation—just don’t ask me how they get it…I really don’t want to know.
Supposedly—however questionable the method of obtaining such a brew—the stuff can work magic. This according to the company in charge of collecting it. The study this French company funded appeared in last week’s JAVMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), and, of course, its results bode well for its product (a collar infused with the delicious aroma of “mama dog”).
Sidebar: You might think that corporate funding for research is evil and wrong. But in the veterinary world, sometimes that’s all we get. Sure, this backing salts our views somewhat, but that doesn’t mean we discount it out of hand. After all, if someone didn’t go out of their way to fund the research on new products you’d have a whole lot fewer options to choose from. A healthy dose of skepticism is always a good idea, no matter who’s forking over the cash.
Now back to the topic at hand: At issue is whether this pheromone works or not. Can it truly deliver when it comes to calming canine fears and facilitating appropriate interactions with humans and other dogs?
This is the question the study purports to answer, though in a limited application. To prove its worth, the researchers at a Toronto hospital evaluated puppies as they were put through their paces in group training sessions.
The pups (45 participated in this randomized, clinical trial) ranged from 12 to 15 weeks old at the start of their training. They were split into two control (placebo) groups and two DAP collar-wearing groups and were subsequently evaluated weekly for their progress.
Results:
“Dogs in DAP and placebo groups were significantly different with respect to degrees of fear and anxiety; longer and more positive interactions between puppies, including play, were evident in dogs in the DAP groups. Data from follow-up telephone surveys indicated that puppies in the DAP groups were better socialized and adapted faster in new environments, compared with puppies in the placebo groups.”
Conclusions:
“When compared with a placebo treatment, DAP was useful in reducing anxiety and fear in puppies during puppy classes and resulted in improved socialization.”
Well, well, well… Based on this study, ain’t no way anyone should bother training a puppy without at least trying the DAP collar.
Personally, however, I’ve never found to be the DAP collar to be very useful. Few of my clients have, either. The paper did mention the lack of significant findings on a smaller pilot study when the older, less-potent version of the collar was employed. Perhaps its newer incarnation is far more effective.
But then, if I was working hard to market the “new-and-improved” version of any product, what do you think I’d try? I’d do my darnedest to get a study published in JAVMA pre-launch.
Anyone here ever try the DAP collar? What did YOU think?
December 16th, 2008
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Add Comment12 Comments
I wonder if the difference has anything to do with the fact that in the study ALL of the dogs were wearing the collar... and in in-house trials, it's an individual trial. Could it be the dogs reacting to the smell coming off the other puppies (ie all the puppies smell the same) rather than the smell coming from around their own neck?
Just shooting out some ideas...
Kim December 16th, 2008 02:08:35 PM
Here's the official site from the product's makers, Ceva.btw, the stuff comes in a spray and a diffuser and is the sister product to Feliway (which I've used with more success).
Kim: I wonder...it might well be dose-dependent. Of course, that idea bodes well for the newer, stronger product.
Dr. Patty Khuly December 16th, 2008 02:16:35 PM
Our results with the DAP collar are running about 50/50. It seems to work better for some behavior problems then others. In the dogs we have tried it with, no luck with the german shepard with dog aggression, but it worked wonders with 2 weimeriners with separation anxiety. Did not have any effect on in clinic anxiety. Well it is only anecdotal evidence but it is worth giving the collar a shot.
Erin December 16th, 2008 07:38:41 PM
I wonder if anyone out there has any info regarding tubal ligation and vasectomy as an alternative to the standard spay/nueter operations for felines? Thank you!
Pamela December 16th, 2008 08:43:52 PM
“When compared with a placebo treatment, DAP was useful in reducing anxiety and fear in puppies during puppy classes and resulted in improved socialization.”
Useful. Not, as you suggest they're claiming, "Indispensible." No. Merely "Useful." You're misrepresenting the conclusion of the study, and rather sharply. It pays to be conversant with the code words used in clinical trials results. "Useful," in this context, means "It may or may not work, but evidence suggests it probably will." In addition, the tone of the conclusion sentence indicates that it is NOT a magic bullet, but rather a mere tool to add to the toolbox. All that said, basing ANY medical decision on one trial is fruaght with danger; Even well-designed, properly-conducted, ethically-excellent trials can miss the mark - It happens all the time, because biology is so bloody damn complex, and so perversely insists on behaving as it wants to, no matter how inconvenient that may be for the scientists.
Not, mind you, that I'm saying this stuff *does* work - For all I know, it's complete garbage, but even if it is, DO try to correctly characterize the conclusions of the study.
MaskedMan December 17th, 2008 12:56:59 AM
MaskedMan: Criticism accepted. Sometimes I let my keyboard fingers run away with me. Especially when challenged with an if-it's-useful-and-inexpensive-you-should-recommend-it discussion sponsored by a specific company in a scientific journal. But you're absolutely right, my bias is glaring in this case and perhaps unhelpful. Mea culpa.
Pamela: Here's a post on tubal ligation. And another on vasectomy.
Dr. Patty Khuly December 17th, 2008 08:15:24 AM
I'd say this stuff definitely works for sume dogs. We credit it with saving the life of a rescue afghan hound at a clinic where I worked. When she came in and was horrible stressed/anxious, just constantly. We tried everything we could think of to reduce her stress, but nothing worked - no other meds, no doggy friends, no increased walks and attention. We tried the DAP collar as a last resort and she started to look noticeably better. Now, whever something strange happens (new animal, moving, etc), she gets a DAP collar. You can definitely tell the difference between this dog with the collar and without. She's just so much more calm when she's wearing one. It's amazing.
My sister's dog, on the other hand, got no use out of it. I really think this one just depends on the individual animal. It's certainly not a magic bullet or anything.
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