01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, May 28, 2006

BY DR. ROLAN TRIPP
Knight Ridder Newspapers

We've all heard the expression scaredy-cat, but what about a scaredy-dog? Pet owners are often confused about what to do with dogs that become suddenly fearful in certain situations. For these scaredy-dogs, the answer may be just under their noses. Calming pheromones are the key ingredient in a new therapeutic dog collar.

Pheromones are air-borne chemicals released by one individual to influence the behavior of another. For example, a female dog in heat releases a sex pheromone that attracts an intact male dog like a Star Trek tractor beam. A lesser-known canine (synthetic) pheromone is the Dog Appeasing Pheromone, or D.A.P. This pheromone is naturally produced by a female dog while nursing puppies. It sends a wafting message of calm maternal reassurance.

The D.A.P. collar's active ingredient is not detectable to human noses, but a whiff does wangle the canine mind like aromatherapy. A big advantage of the D.A.P. collar is that it stays with the dog at all times, like a child carrying a security blanket.

Deb Nickelson, DVM, Marketing Manager with Veterinary Products Laboratories (www.vpl.com) explains, "The body heat from the dog causes a continuous release of the pheromone that begins about 30 minutes after applying the collar, and lasts up to one month. This product is helpful for dogs exhibiting fear-related chewing, barking, hiding, urinating, or even mild fear aggression."

D.A.P. collars may also be helpful for training, since they reduce anxiety, and anxiety interferes with learning. These collars are safe and have no sedation effect. Caring people can use these collars to send their scaredy-dogs a silent signal, "Relax, don't worry, Mom is near."

Dr. Rolan Tripp is a veterinarian and animal-behavior specialist. You may view his work at www.AnimalBehavior.Net.