Please can anybody advise on the suitability of Adaptil Collars for greyhounds? I do know that flea collars can cause severe reactions, and because of this I have so far not risked it. However, poor Kitty is terrified of loud bangs of any sort (starting just over a year ago when she was scared by the sound of gunfire in the woods).

In addition to working with a canine behaviour therapist, who has been of enormous help, I have tried just about everything else including: Adaptil diffusers, Dorwest, Bach Rescue Remedy for Pets and Pet Remedy (Spray, wipes and diffuser). None of these have worked and an Adaptil Collar is probably the last resort if it is not likely to cause harm.

Over the past year, with help from the behaviourist, Kitty did improve marvellously, but now it is the season for bird scarers, and the farmers are also out shooting rabbits and other pests. Also, there is a lot of very noisy building work going on. Kitty has relapsed, and is scared to go almost anywhere, even her favourite beach. She is happy to walk round the village at night, and she loves racing round the garden, but that is about her limit.

Please can you help?

Jo

We have no experience of adaptil collars to help you sadly.

We have only used the pet remedy diffuser that you mentioned for our late boy Billy, he hated fireworks.

I have shared your post on the G.R.F Facebook page for you so you might get some help from there as more adopters seem to be using facebook these days to share their experiences.

Best of luck

George

This is the first reply on there for you. Posted by Teagh Lach

"Adaptil (collar or diffuser) is fantastic BUT in most cases needs to be used in conjunction with other behavioural support/aids. There are other products available as supplements such as Zylkene/Calmex etc but nothing generally works without behavioural input/sound desensitisation. Different things work for different dogs but there always needs to be a multi-faceted approach. A good friend of mine had a very sound-sensitive collie that got so bad she reacted as soon as her husband stood up and even looked towards the window (they are crofters in the Hebrides and the dog started to link him looking out the window and seeing crows or rabbits with him going to the gun cupboard!)...She worked tirelessly to desensitise the dog. It worked but it took daily inut for almost 2 years! Not an easy fix. Good luck!"

This may not be a realistic option for you, Jo, but have you thought about adopting another, really steady, greyhound to reassure her? When I lost a boy lurcher years ago my girl lurcher became really nervous in many situations but she recovered her confidence in full when I adopted my first greyhound, Kim. Celia and Jimmy would be able to advise.

Hi Jo,,

I've never tried Adaptil collars, but did get Lola a Thundershirt last year at fireworks time. I also used it when taking her out after she developed a fear of crowds and started trying to bolt when she saw the kids from school coming towards her. It definitely helped to calm her down. I also got Nutracalm from the vet, which had varying degrees of success.

Good luck

Teresa

Thank you very much George for your reply, and for posting my enquiry on Facebook. I don't use Facebook myself so thank you for passing on the very helpful reply from Teagh Lach.

Thank you Marion for your suggestion. I would love to adopt another greyhound, but unfortunately my current circumstances do not make this possible. Should things change however ...

And finally, thank you Teresa for your reply and for your helpful suggestions. That's given me some new ideas to consider.

It's good to know that Adaptil collars are safe for greyhounds, and that they can be helpful if combined with other supplements. And I shall of course be continuing working with the behaviour specialist. Kitty really enjoys these sessions, and until this latest set-back she was really responding very well.

Thank you all!