Comfort Zone Adaptil Collar, Large Dog, 1 Pack, for Dog Calming

I purchased two of these - one for my greyhound and one for my chihuahua. I had recently gone through a move and both dogs were having trouble with the transition. I do want to say that this collar did NOT seem to work on my chihuahua. A friend also tried this collar for her chihuahua and confirmed that it did not work for her either. HOWEVER - I am giving this product 5 starts because it works perfectly for my greyhound, who has the worst anxiety and used to have severe separation anxiety. When I put this collar on her, she is very calm and sleeps heavily for about 4 days (which is great when you're taking a long road trip and your dog hates car rides - yet another reason why I keep purchasing this collar for her). After that initial period, she is still calmer than usual but doesn't sleep as much. The collar seems to work for about 2 weeks, a little less than the 4 weeks it says on the box. Despite this, I'm still giving it 5 stars because it works. My greyhound is my first dog with anxiety, and quite honestly, I was desperate for anything that would work outside of prescription pills.

Unfortantely this literally had the OPPOSITE effect on my poor rescue. He is BEYOND traumatized by fireworks, so in prep for the 4th I bought it and put it on him in the end of June. After wearing it for about 7 hours.. he was acting like he was HEARING fireworks - but there was no comforting him. Frothing at the mouth.. frantically looking for someplace safe, spinning, digging.. crying, barking.. this was NOT what I needed him to go thru.. I also contacted the manufacturer with a question about this silly 'loop & string' that was embedded - but started to separate off. The directions were not clear if it should be pulled off or not. I have it on the floor in his safe place.. (it's July 3rd as I write this review, and my neighborhood sounds like a war zone) and he won't go in there (its my husbands side of the closet) - so I took it out and put it in a bag.

I read all the reviews and worried about using a collar on my Min Pin service dog. I saw the photos of a dog who got a rash and read reviews that it had no effect on other small dogs. I have never used a collar of any kind on my dog and worried that it might be uncomfortable. However, I became desperate due to his increasing anxiety with construction around us. He began whining and hiding and was inconsistent with his tasks that he usually loves to perform for me. A veterinary behaviorist evaluated him and recommended an Adaptil Collar but I tried the spray instead. When the spray helped, I ordered an Adaptil Diffuser--which also helps indoors. But suddenly my dog began barking at strangers and unfamiliar dogs. He lost interest in his favorite treats and pastimes. I got help from his trainer and tried behavioral training for the triggers. Things were improving a bit then yesterday, just before the collar arrived, something frightened him (I don't know what) and he managed to escape from his harness and run naked through a crowded and heavily trafficked shopping plaza where I had just undergone a medical procedure. I prayed if I ever got my dog back, through a miracle, I would use the Adaptil collar when it arrived. It is truly a miracle that I have my dog back. He was so spooked that he didn't come when I called. He ran up to a building across heavy traffic and a woman brought him into her office, when she saw him running on the railed deck. Luckily, her office was below a dog groomer's place and the groomer was helping me look for my dog. I was still sedated from the medical procedure, and in a wheelchair, but the able-bodied groomer called my dog's name and whistled for him to come. The woman who had my dog heard the man call and returned my dog to me just in time for dial-a-ride to take us home.I have never used a collar on any animal and worried this would be difficult. It is super easy. There are also videos on YouTube that demonstrate.I got the small size made for dogs and puppies, recommended for his breed, and it fits perfectly.He loved the scent the minute I opened the box (I can't smell anything) and even bent his head so I could slip it on. You slip it over their head and adjust it afterwards.The new upstairs neighbor was making a lot of noise moving in but my dog didn't whine or hide. He cuddled up beside me, closed his eyes, and went to sleep amid all the commotion.I know there are other calming collars out there but I haven't tried them. I'm sticking to what works. Sentry makes a calming collar that a friend recommended--I didn't like the color for my boy dog and don't want to smell lavender. Plus, his veterinary behaviorist and his vet only recommend Adaptil.The instructions say keep it on at all times except when grooming. It is very lightweight, soft and pliable and will break free if caught (a concern I had).It may not work for every dog but if you are desperate like I was, try it. Read the directions. Follow the directions. Don't make the collar too loose or too tight (should be able to insert 2 fingers). If too loose it won't work because depends upon the dog's body heat. And if too loose or too tight it might cause irritation from twisting, turning and rubbing.So far it works. The next step would have been prescription Paxil--I don't want my fur baby medicated.It works but remember it's not all we are doing. My dog has regular training with a service dog trainer and we also use the Adaptil spray and Adaptil diffuser. Perhaps it's working because it's part of a whole anti-anxiety program designed by his veterinary behaviorist, who knows and understands him.

Have a senior dog at 13.5 who is losing his hearing and started bad whiny anxious vocalization. goodbye sleep for me. his worst times were in the morning (like 5AM) and near his dinner feeding time by a few hours. during this summer, when this all escalated, he was whining and pacing most waking moment. not even napping for more than 5min. i was desperate and went to a local pet store...HELP. they only had seresto in stock so i tried that first. that one has a strong lavender odor. still, not much improvement. maybe a little, but not consistent enough to say for sure it's working. tried another brand less stinky, same result. these were lower on pheromone content and more based on chamomile/lavender. every one i kept on my dog for 4 weeks as directed. so this is my #3 trial. i started using the diffuser in the room (for sleep time only) few days ago, but can't say that alone has made a difference. collar arrived yesterday AM, and this morning, NO WHINE. i actually woke before him. PM feeding time? NO WHINE. this must be working!! all reviews point to the fact some dogs will respond to one type of DAP collar over another, so gotta keep trying.update: i'm on CZ collar #2. at first, i gave 5 stars...was so excited! but after a few days, similar results as the other collars. some better days, but mostly same as before. Downside of this collar--it does not stay at the notch i keep, which is a big problem since collar has to stay snug. friction from movement against dog's skin stimulates the odor release. from my research, main reason people say it does not work is that it is not snug enough. Within a few hours, the collar is loose. by 2 notches. this sucks. noticed it in both collars i've used. i did not have this problem with the other brands since they did not have a notch design. my dog has gotten more used to losing his hearing, so his anxiety has calmed down. think i'll move on from the DAP...it may work on some dogs but no luck for me.