Many pet behavior issues are caused – or exacerbated – by fear and stress. By mimicking the stress-relieving pheromones found in dogs, Comfort Zone^® with D.A.P.^® products can help your pet cope with these fears or stress-related issues and make him feel more secure. In some cases, it might be just the thing you need to fix bad dog behavior forever.

Common Causes of Dog Behavior Issues

Before you attempt to solve the problem, understand that dog behavior issues can have a number of causes – and that what might seem like a simple "bad dog" behavior could really have a deeper cause. Some of the most common include:

• Food or Environmental Allergies: Destructive scratching and licking could be caused by allergies, which often trigger itchy skin, making your pet scratch or rub on furniture excessively.

• Infections and Other Health Problems: If your pet has a problem with "accidents," it could be a health issue like urinary tract infection. This is something your veterinarian will need to diagnose.

• Depression or Loneliness: Symptoms of pet depression (as diagnosed by your veterinarian) can include lethargy, loss of appetite and nervousness.

• Lack of Exercise or Play: All pets need entertainment and exercise. If you're not giving Fido plenty of walks he or she might just act up.

• New Pets in the House: Adding a new dog to your home can make pets feel stressed.

Solving Pet Behavior Problems

The first step toward solving pet behavior problems usually begins with a visit to your vet. After all, only your vet can accurately diagnose serious health, allergy or depression issues – and help you find appropriate treatment.

If your pet does suffer from one or more serious medical issues, follow your vet's advice on medication and diet. You may also want to supplement prescriptions or lifestyle changes with other pet behavior solutions, like Comfort Zone^® products – which use natural cat and dog pheromones to ease behaviors like scratching, barking, whining and spraying.

The Comfort Zone^® with D.A.P.^® Diffuser can reduce fear and stress-related barking, whining and howling behavior, up to 65% according to clinical studies*.

*Data on file.

Urine marking. Most unneutered males, and some females, "protect" their territory by marking it with urine. This is normal dog-to-dog dialog that can be triggered by many things:

• The presence of new objects in the home, furniture or luggage (belonging to a visitor).

• The departure of a resident in the home or a new person or pet moving in.

• Conflict between the dog and other human or animal residents in the home.

How to resolve the problem:

• The easiest solution for urine marking is to neuter a male dog or spay a female dog. Neutering male dogs successfully eliminates or greatly reduces household urine marking in 50 to 60 percent of cases**. However, if you want to breed your dog, the likelihood of successfully eliminating or reducing urine marking is lower if he (or she) remains intact.

• If your dog consistently marks certain objects (like your favorite chair or your shoes!), or only marks in certain locations, place treats where he marks. If he begins to associate those objects or areas as sources of food, he may stop.

• Restrict access to things that your dog is likely to mark.

• Comfort Zone^® with D.A.P.^® products can help reduce stress-induced urine marking (See “Stress-related behavior” section above).

• Do not scold your dog – it rarely works.

• Clean previously marked locations with an enzymatic cleaner to minimize smells that can attract your dog and cause him to mark again. You can find cleaners made for eliminating pet odors at most pet supply and grocery stores. Never use an ammonia-based cleanser. Urine contains ammonia!

*Data on file.

**Source: ASPCA Website.

However stressful moving is for you, it could be even more upsetting for your cat or dog. And no matter how busy you are, moving your pet is an essential part of your relocation plan.

Not only can it be difficult to travel with a cat or dog, but the stress doesn’t end when you arrive at your new home. Relocating your pet can make him confused, scared and disoriented for days – or even longer.

Thankfully, there are a few simple steps you can take to help your loved ones enjoy a safe, stress-free journey and adjust to their new surroundings:

• Travel Safely: Moving with a dog or cat in the car? Travel with a pet requires extra care – like ensuring your pet has a safe travel restraint or carrier and following important health and safety travel tips. If you’re traveling with a cat or dog via plane, ensure you’ve read your airline’s policies carefully. Whether flying with a pet or driving with them in the car, also consider taking along some Comfort Zone^® with D.A.P.^® products for dogs or Comfort Zone^® with Feliway^® products for cats. These pheromone-based products can help avert pet behavior problems and keep your pet calm while traveling.

• Prevent Lost Pets: When you arrive at your new home, keep Fido or Felix safely indoors or restrained for the first several days. If a pet gets loose in a new place, chances are he’ll try to find his way back to your old home – and potentially get lost or hurt along the way. When moving with a pet, also remember to keep him safely away from the moving commotion by placing him in a carrier or in a closed-off room. This will not only help keep him calm, but also prevent your pet from slipping out an open door.

• Create a Welcoming New Home: Keeping your pet’s food dish, blankets, favorite toys and other items close at hand during your move will help him feel at home more quickly. You can also use a Comfort Zone^® Diffuser to make your new home – or even a temporary location along the way, like a hotel room - feel more comfortable for your pet. Plug the Comfort Zone^® Diffuser into the wall, preferably near your pet’s sleeping area, or use the Comfort Zone^® Spray to add a comforting pheromone to his favorite blanket or sleeping pad.

No matter where your move takes you, you can make sure your pets remain happy, healthy and safe along the way. For more help and information for your dog, check out our pet advice section, and find out where you can buy Comfort Zone^® products for your next move.

With a sensitive yet devoted commitment to the comforts of both your furry friends and the use of Comfort Zone^® with D.A.P.^® products, don’t be surprised if you find your pets playing together in no time. Learn more about Comfort Zone^® with D.A.P.^® products and find a retailer near you.

*Data on file.

Dog Begging Problem? How do you stop your dog from begging for treats or attention? Here are some simple tips to help stop dog begging and avoid it in the future.

Approaches to Avoid

• Give In to Begging: One of the worst things you can do to perpetuate begging behavior in dogs is to reinforce the behavior by giving in. Consistently avoid treating your dog after he exhibits bad behavior or expect the behavior to persist.

• Get Angry, Scream or Strike Your Dog: Hitting your dog is not the way to solve any dog behavior problems. Getting angry or punishing your dog by slapping him or yelling can result in fear and avoidance. This kind of treatment can also lead to aggression or further whimpering.

Possible Solutions

• Ignore Begging: One of the best remedies to stop dog begging is to simply pretend it is not taking place. If you show no reaction to your dog's attempts to get a treat or table scrap, the begging will desist in time.

• Remain Consistent: Expect the begging to get worse before it gets better. Remain consistent in your dog behavior training and he will come around. Again, giving in to the behavior, no matter how annoying it may be, only brings about a continuation of the bad behavior.

Other Tips

• Eat When He Eats: Try feeding your dog when you or your family are eating as well. This will not only help to keep your dog on a strict schedule, but it will keep him occupied, too.

• Keep Him Busy: If you notice your dog tends to beg during specific times of the day when you are occupied, give him an activity as well. Try a chew toy like a rope, rubber ball or plush toy.

• Wear Him Out: Begging is often a sign of hyperactivity that can be avoided with exercise. If your dog tends to beg during dinnertime, try taking him on a nice long walk or giving him a good run with a game of fetch just before you sit down to the dinner table. This will help to tire him out and decrease a host of dog behavior problems.

• Use Dog Pheromones: Comfort Zone^® with D.A.P.^® (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) products can significantly reduce, or even eliminate, fear and stress-related barking, whining and howling* – behavior often related to separation issues or thunderstorms and fireworks. Learn more about dog behavior problems and solutions.

*Data on file