# Calming Agents I am doing some early research for a method of calming for a shiba inu. With Kitsune right now, I'm working with training and conditioning and amping up his socialization, but I wondered if you can share any calming agents that you have used that work well for you. I am open to holistic approaches… ## Thread In Behavior · started by tsukitsune · 13 replies - **Category:** [Behavior](https://nihonken.org/community/c/behavior) - **Forum:** [Nihon Ken Forum](https://nihonken.org/community/) ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2008-11-19T17:42:28.000Z I am doing some early research for a method of calming for a shiba inu. With Kitsune right now, I'm working with training and conditioning and amping up his socialization, but I wondered if you can share any calming agents that you have used that work well for you. I am open to holistic approaches moreso than pharmaceutical medications, but I'd consider anything in this stage of the research. -To date, we've only tried Rescue Remedy for Pets, and while I think it slices into the edge of the anxiety, it doesn't last long enough nor is it effective enough for longer term stressors, like a grieving period or after you move or an addition/ removal to the pack. It works great for thunderstorms or fireworks in an appropriate and consistent dosage. -I do have Bach's flower essence of Walnut on order (thanks Jessica:) to try. ## Sabrina · 2008-11-19T17:52:14.000Z I really like the DAP. Dog Appeasing Pheromone. It the pheromone that mother dogs give off to their puppies to keep them calm when they are nursing sleeping ect. There are three ways to use it the most popular is the diffuser its like a glade plug-in. They emits the pheromone into the air of a room for about a month then you replace the cartridge just like the glade plug-ins. You can get these at almost any pet store. Then there's the spray, you spray it on bedding or in an area to calm the dog down. The spay last for a few hours and is great for traveling in a car or in a crate for the first time ect. You can get these at almost any pet store. The most effective is the color. Its a collar that the dog wheres like a flea collar and it emits the pheromone into the air around the dog. It goes every where with the dog so it works with almost every kind of nervousness and aggression. You do have to get the collar from the vet though. DAP works amazingly the trainer I work with recommends them to a ton of people. And since you are not drugging the dog the dog learns that the situations he encounters are not really all that bad and allot of times the DAP does not need to be used forever. I hope this helps! ## brada1878 (admin) · 2008-11-19T19:19:13.000Z We have had great results from DAP too - I recommend it! I hope these changes you speak of are good ones. ---- ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2008-11-20T10:53:47.000Z Thanks for the suggestion! We had been given a DAP but gave it to someone else shortly afterward, they needed it more... we'll have to pick one up! The changes are both great and not so great, but such is life. ## TeamLaika · 2008-11-21T21:06:00.000Z The DAP is a great suggestion. Check into Resources supplements. They have an "anxiety and stress formula" with melatonin, chamomile, passionflower, uncaria, schizandra, B vitamins etc. They are only supplied through veterinarians. www.genesisvets.com Most of these sort of products need to be given continuously for best results. When looking at homeopathic remedies or supplements, at the very least ensure that they are recognized by the NASC (National Animal Supplement Council). There is NO FDA oversight on these types of products and quality and content varies. See http://www.nasc.cc/ for more details. If there is an event that is very stressful, but unlikely to persist forever, talk to you veterinarian about some alprazolam. This an anxiolytic (different than a sedative) and is often prescribed for dogs that have thunderstorm or other phobias. The fact that it addresses the underlying anxiety and doesn't simply zonk them out can make it a very useful tool combined with counterconditioning. Alprazolam is a controlled substance. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2581 Dogs also tolerate fluoxetine well, with few side effects if the dose is slowly introduced and manipulated. Generic is available, but there a product labeled for dogs from Eli Lilly brand name Reconcile. Some dogs have a loss of appetite initially and some drowsiness. Note though, the message about the potential for disinhibition. See http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=2742&S=1 The Freedom of Information Summary for Reconcile can be downloaded at http://www.fda.gov/cvm/FOI/foiabst2.html Scroll down to NADA number 141-272 My friend has a Staffy Bull Terrier rescue who has had outstanding results with fluoxetine! Good luck. In the meantime, invite lots of people over to your house and have them all bearing treats for Kitsune & Tsuki! Also provide them with a safe haven place in case they get overwhelmed. Somewhere that they know noone will bother them. ## lindsayt · 2008-11-22T09:22:59.000Z All the people we sold DAP to really liked it. ## AkiraleShiba · 2008-11-22T17:53:06.000Z I have heard about Zilkène, maybe you could research it ? I have not tried it but I've heard it's natural and it helps dogs deal with new situations. ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2009-01-15T18:04:51.000Z I have a kind of philosophical question that I hope you will indulge: If you have an anxious dog (when in public) and you give it a calming agent (mild, like walnut ext or rescue remedy) before going into a public situation (like a beginners agility class) - do you think OTHER DOGS can sense the alteration of my dog's natural state and react differently than they normally would if he was not given a calming agent? Last night we took Kitsu to an agility class a friend's dog is taking, to see how he'd react to the facility, equipment and people there. Kitsu is altered and well socialized with other dogs when properly introduced. He was fine for the most part (thanks Rescue remedy?) until a standard poodle gets all reactive in his face, which I think was more confusing than anything since this dog came out of no where with hackles raised and teeth showing (this dog was also intact). But I'm wondering... was it because he was a male, a little scared, or because he was on a calming agent? My mind is just wandering... ## CrimsonO2 · 2009-01-15T19:59:26.000Z I think we're also missing a control variable to your summary here. Has the poodle had any past interactions with Kitsu and how did it go? It might not be your dog, it might be the poodle? We can go in so many different ways with it. Jesse ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2009-01-16T11:01:13.000Z Good questions, Jesse! No, the poodle has never met Kitsune - which is why I thought it odd that he automatically just jumped down his throat first meeting... like either the poodle was off or he thought Kitsu was off. ## lindsayt · 2009-01-17T23:32:36.000Z Well, lots of dogs that show take rescue remedy before going in the ring and standing near other dogs and they are not allowed to be aggressive or reactive as the judge will excuse them. So if the majority of dogs have a good mellow going on, no-one gets upset. I think you need to give the poodle some rescue remedy:)...I'm sure they can smell the herbs in the drops but if the individual dog is acting nervous or fearful, I would think that would be more likely to encourage another dog to to try and correct that. Beebe has tried to correct other anxious and nervous dogs before during class, she was there herself and the other dogs tried to correct her. It just takes a little time. That's cool you're doing agility! ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2009-01-18T19:14:30.000Z Kitsu was a bit anxious even though we tried to give him a RR mellow... maybe that was bothering the poodle more than anything. A lot of factors, I know, but I had to wonder if giving him RR before meets would be worth it or not. We're excited about agility! This is the place we're going to: www.forpawsandatail.com (the website is shat and hard to read..) classes start this week and on the only night I don't have classes! yay! ## lindsayt · 2009-01-19T00:35:31.000Z This weekend we have been hotelling it, strangers and dogs every where, and the RR has seemed to make it easier for Ike and Beebe to cope with all the new situations, people, noises and dogs. Beebe is able to focus better on me and respond to commands and isn't appearing to be as anxious/on guard as she has been before. I think whatever effect it has must not be very long lasting though. You will be posting agility pictures, I assume...That looks like so much fun! ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2009-01-19T11:12:55.000Z If he actually does anything in the class, we'll take a picture of it for sure! We've been working on focus training with him a lot in preparation for this, and I'm hopeful, but he's such a wishy washy shiba sometimes so we'll see. --- **Navigate:** [Forum home](https://nihonken.org/community/?format=md) · [Sitemap](https://nihonken.org/community/sitemap.xml)