Dog Grooming Fiasco Part Three: Prevention

It’s disheartening to think a groomer caused serious bruising to a sweet little poodle. Groomers can avoid pet wrestling by using the following to put pets at ease:

Pheromones for dogs
Pheromones for cats
Calming music
Essential oils, such as Young’s Peace and Calming
Treats
A body wrap
Diazepam

1. DAP is a pheromone that calms pets because it smells like their mother did while she nursed them as puppies. D.A.P releases a pheromone, which is a scent message. The pheromone does not register with humans and we can’t smell anything, but for dogs, D.A.P. is calming because it affects the rhinencephalon, the non-thinking part of the brain where basic instincts are generated. Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) is available with an atomizer that can be plugged into the wall to slowly release pheromone. It is the best calming technique for dogs that has been developed in years.

2. Feliway is the feline calming pheromone. Feliway calms cats because it smells like the secretions from the scent glands on cats’ chins and heads. Cats leave secretions from these glands when they rub against objects they love—such as our legs. Feliway affects the primitive region of the cat’s brain and helps bring about a primal peace. Feliway is available as an atomizer that is plugged in and as a spray. The spray is useful for scenting cushions, car seats, and cat carriers. Feliway helps with grooming, with anxious cats that go outside the litter box, and with inter-cat aggression. It is the best calming technique for cats that has been developed in years.

3. Canine Lullabies is calming music for pets that is based upon the human response to music. Terry Woodford produced Canine Lullabies, a CD for dogs that decreases anxiety. Canine Lullabies uses nursery rhymes and childhood songs with a pulse similar to the heartbeat. This rhythm helps lessen anxiety and promote relaxation. Songs such as “London Bridge,” “Lullaby and Good Night,” “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb” induce an almost hypnotic calm in dogs. Although information on using the CD with cats is not available, it may be equally effective for them. The website for the CD is www.caninelullabies.com.

Tomorrow: Dog Grooming Fiasco Part Four: Prevention Continued