Controlling Puppy’s Separation Anxiety

About six months ago, after finally landing a job, my daughter moved 1500 miles away. Her boyfriend travels a lot for business, so recently she bought the puppy she has “always wanted” to keep her company.

This adorable little Beagle was about 12 weeks old and the last of the litter to leave her mom. It didn’t take too long to discover that this little girl had a big case of separation anxiety. She cried nonstop unless she was being held and very soon my daughter was at her wits end from lack of sleep, and from fear of getting kicked out of her apartment!

Health-wise the pup checked out fine, but she was too small for prescription anti-anxiety medication. She got plenty of exercise and had a large kennel which she seemed to like, however nothing seemed to work to calm her at night, or when left alone for even a few minutes. The puppy had temporarily cried/barked herself hoarse and we were scrambling to find a solution before she found her voice again.

A chamomile collar seemed to help the symptoms a little – for about a day. Then I found a product online that seemed to be getting good feedback, but the price seemed a little high ($40-$50 range). Being the online shopper that I am though, (clears throat) I found it at almost half that price HERE. It’s called Comfort Zone with D.A.P., and it looks like one of those plug-in air fresheners. Even though I had my doubts, I bought one and a refill and had it shipped to my daughter via priority mail (2 day delivery).

Plugged in near where the puppy’s crate is kept (out of her reach, of course) – it started working that first day! She slept much better and the whining and incessant barking was greatly reduced. Apparently the D.A.P. in the diffuser is a synthetic pheromone that mimics the type of “appeasing pheromones” emitted from nursing female dogs, which have a calming effect on pups.

After the first week, the diffuser no longer needed to be plugged in 24 hrs a day, and it is now only used when she is going to be left alone for several hours. I am sure that results vary depending on the type of dog and/or it’s history, but Comfort Zone is definitely a safe option that is worth a shot when you are confronted with doggie anxiety problems.