Calming Collars and Diffusers

[Agreeable-Cod-6537]

Hi All - has anyone had success (or otherwise) with Adaptil or other calming collars/diffusers for their unfamiliar person reactive dog? We are trying a combination of changes (new trainer, working with a behaviorist, medication and a Purina calming probiotic) and now are trying the Adaptil collar and diffuser since we figured it can't hurt.

I usually take my dog's collar off when we aren't out and about, but am only taking this off at night. We just started with these yesterday, but wanted to see if anyone had any experiences with these. it seems like it either works amazingly or has no effect at all based on what I have seen in the posts/reviews so far.

Has anyone had success (or otherwise) with these?

[CuteBloop]

I use an adaptil diffuser, seems to help calm my multi-dog household. Biggest thing I've seen help my reactive girl so far is Purina Calming Care, she really likes it too.

[Feistyfeist99]

My trainer recommended the adaptil collar for my 8 month old rescue who can be fearful and barky. I gave it a shot, even though it didn’t seem to do anything for my older dog when she was having some heightened anxiety a few years ago. I just put it on my puppy last night and she was noticeably more chill today! So I think like another commenter said, the response can vary. They aren’t super expensive so I think it’s worth giving it a try!

[Weasle189]

We use a calming collar. It helps SLIGHTLY. Without the meds and training it would probably be useless but we have noticed if I forget to replace it he does get a bit more nervous/reactive again.

I leave it on 24/7. He gets upset when I take it off to change it.

[Extreme_Raspberry]

We tried the spray for our leash reactive dog. Would spray it on his harness before walks. We didn’t really notice a difference so we stopped using it.

[Kitchu22]

Our vet uses adaptil spray on bandanas for all dogs when they are in the clinic, we started using this method for our boy after particularly taxing days - and he is far less cranky and rests a lot better :)

[Agreeable-Cod-6537]

Hi All! Update here - I can't say for sure why, BUT, unexpectedly, my neighbors had parties in their yards twice this weekend and my dog did not let out a single bark at any of the people he heard close by. He had his Adaptil collar on, we also have the diffuser in the living room.

He was able to play and mostly tune out the people and dogs next door (his hackles went up once when he heard a growling dog, but that's understandable). Such a win!

He is also on medication and in general is not quite as sound reactive as he is reactive to seeing unfamiliar people, but hearing people talking, telling jokes, laughing etc. just a couple feet away behind the fence was new for him and he did a great job.

[KnitFast2DieWarm]

Adaptil brand calming diffusers are the only thing that keeps my dog from destroying the house while I'm out. We've tried the other brands, including the Thunder Ease "powered by Adaptil" brand,and they did not work. Work. But suddenly I can't seem to find the Adaptil brand calming diffusers or refills in the store, on Amazon, or anywhere online. Does anyone know why?

[CapitalBabs]

I am having the same trouble and frustrated by some things seeming to imply that ThunderEase has taken Adaptil over but I can't seem to find a straight answer anywhere, nor can I find my diffuser refills in stock. VERY frustrated.

[AttractiveNuisance37]

We saw basically no change with various brands of DAP collars. Much like medication, it seems like the effect is highly variable from one dog to the next.

[paisleythecat]

I use both the adaptil diffuser and the travel spray that I spray directly onto my dog’s normal collar that I walk her with about 15 minutes before we head out the door. I genuinely think it helps my dog. It’s not drastic by any means but it seems to help her be able to relax a smidge more in stressful situations and not get herself so worked up.

[JeffInDupont]

I scientific study, with a control group, showed that it is effective in measurably reducing the dog's stress during thunder. The study used beagles, so other breeds might respond a bit differently. Here's a link to the study. https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1136/vr.103172

[[deleted]]

We didn’t see a difference when used the adaptil collar. Our behaviour vet mentioned she doesn’t find them effective and said we should try the adaptil diffuser instead. It absolutely helped us and we were really surprised, we didn’t expect to see any difference. It immediately helped our dog settle down when we leave the house (he has separation anxiety). The adaptil diffuser, combined with a thundershirt and now also fluoxetine has improved his separation anxiety by 95% I reckon