do dap diffusers work?

[BlackHillsofDakota]

Our dog is fairly highly strung and gets very hyped up and agitated especially when new people come in to the house.
Usually this isn't a problem as we don't have many visitors but this Christmas we are having the in laws to stay. Also understandably the children are more hyper as its Christmas which then makes the dog worse.
I'm planning a walk before they arrive and a Kong to distract him but wondered if it would be worth getting a dap diffuser. It's not super cheap but affordable if it will make a difference. Anyone have any experiences?

[Cheerfulmarybrown]

They work for some dogs and not others. Zkylene also works brilliantly for some dogs and not others.

Unfortunately the only way to know is to fork out (just what you need at Christmas time!)

What does he do when people come to the house?

[villainousbroodmare]

I am rather dubious about how much difference they make. The first time I used them was the only time my dog ever damaged anything in the house! I'm inclined to think that there are changes you might be able to make in how the household operates over Christmas that might be more effective. I'd very strongly suggest that visitors are firmly instructed (not requested, most people never listen) to ignore the dog totally when they arrive and until he solicits attention, if he ever does. I also think it's very important that he has a safe private retreat or two and that that is respected. There are lots of training strategies that can be used to encourage calmness, though it's possibly a bit late now to see the real results.

[Costacoffeeplease]

They've worked for ours, and especially zyklene tablets, it's noticeable when he's not on them

[BlackHillsofDakota]

So a mixed response then. He literally is on tender hooks the whole time, if someone moves he yelps and springs up and sort of does a little dance, if you raise your voice at all such as laughing or excited chatter he barks and yelps at lot.
It obviously stressful for him but also for me. I'd happily give him a private space but he won't leave the room, if I shut him out he barks constantly and he won't leave of his own accord.
I've actually ordered one so I'll see how he gets on, nothing ventured and all that!

[villainousbroodmare]

It's definitely worth a go.

I'm not a crate fan in most circumstances but it might suit him - he can watch everything but nobody can get in to him.

An animal behaviourist would be able to help you a lot.
As a prelude to consulting one, there is a lot of literature out there which can explain and assist in managing his stress.

There are also drugs - gentle, non-sedating, highly effective drugs - that can utterly revolutionise the life of chronically anxious animals.
They are the same tricyclic anti-depressants and benzodiazepines used in human medicine and don't "zonk out" an animal but change the neurochemical pathways that create panic and anxiety. Clomicalm is probably the first drug chosen but there are others. It's the next step up from DAP and Zylkene and is done in conjunction with behaviour modification involving desensitizing and counter-conditioning.

I'd reiterate - "Guests, please leave Pooch alone. Don't even look at him. Pretend he's not here."