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New “Pig Perfume” Spray Stops Barking Bad Dog Behavior

Christina Peden
by Christina Peden
Published:  August 27th, 2014
No, it doesn’t smell like bacon, but “Stop That” spray may stop your dog from acting like a ham


Sick and tired of your dog’s endless barking or excitedly jumping on you and your guests when you walk in the door? Well, the solution may come from the unlikeliest of sources.


Enter “Stop That” spray, aka “pig perfume”. The spray was created by Texas Tech animal scientist John McGlone, and the idea came about as a complete fluke. He, too, was getting fed up with his Cairn terrier Toto’s non-stop barking, and happened to have a can of “Boar Mate” spray on hand from a previous study. (Boar Mate does exactly what you would think: it’s a pig pheromone that helps pigs along in the mating process.) Instead of water, McGlone sprayed the pig perfume at Toto and noticed an immediate change: no more barking.


The “secret” ingredient is androstenone, a steroid and hormone produced by male pigs that, when detected by females in heat, makes them find the males more attractive and gets them ready to mate. While the spray has a strong smell, it’s still completely safe for both dogs and humans. And most importantly, it seems to work.


Before releasing the Stop That spray, McGlone and his colleagues tested it out on four different groups of barking dogs who were in separate kennels. They wanted to test how effective the pig hormone was, as well as whether the mere act of spritzing the dog was enough to startle them out of their misbehavior.


The first group of dogs only had a person with another dog standing out in front of the kennel. The second group of dogs was sprayed with a placebo (meaning it did not contain the pig hormone) that still made a loud spritzing noise. The third group was sprayed with a lower concentration of the pheromone in combination with the spritz sound. Finally, the fourth group was sprayed with a higher concentration of the pheromone, again with the spritzing noise.


In the first group, 25% of dogs stopped barking. In group two (spritz sound only), 44% stopped barking. In the third group (low pheromone + spritz sound), 78% of the dogs stopped barking. Group four (high pheromone + spritz sound) saw the most promising results: 100% of the dogs (6 out of 6) stopped barking.


McGlone’s only concern was that the product, being a strong pheromone, might have an impact on the dogs’ heart rate or cardio function; happily, this proved not to be the case. The spray can also be used effectively for cats.


In the meantime, McGlone is continuing his work: he’s now testing pheromones released by dogs, cats, pigs and horse to see if they might work in future products.


[Source: Discovery News]


Photo credit: Jo S/Flickr

WOW
Christina Peden
Christina Peden

Christina Peden is a lifelong animal lover and avid wordsmith. She lives in Toronto with her boyfriend Ryan where they are proud pet parents to puppy, Matilda and cat, Oscar. In her spare time, she can be found enjoying Toronto, Canada's all-too-short patio season, taking advantage of the city's numerous parks or curled up with a good book.

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Hypothermia in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

When a dog gets too cold, they’re at risk of hypothermia. But what is hypothermia, what are its symptoms, and what can be done to treat it? Below is a brief guide to dog hypothermia so you can have a better understanding of this condition and why it’s so important to prevent it.What Is Hypothermia in Dogs?Hypothermia develops when a dog’s body temperature drops to 99°F (37.2°C) or lower. A dog’s normal body temperature range is 99.5-102.5°F (37.5-39.2°C).There are three levels of hypothermia: mild, moderate, and severe.Mild hypothermia occurs when a dog’s body temperature is between 90-99°F (32.2-37.2°C).Moderate hypothermia develops when the dog’s body temperature falls even more, to 82-90°F (27.8-32.2°C).Severe hypothermia develops when the dog’s body temperature falls below 82°F (27.8°C).Giving a dog the right treatment to bring their temperature back up is critical, as hypothermia can cause damage to organs, and it could be fatal.  Some dogs may be at greater risk of hypothermia. Puppies, seniors, and dogs who are thin or small are a few examples. Dogs who are ill, including those with chronic conditions, can also be more susceptible. Also, hairless dogs and those with short coats are other examples.What Causes Hypothermia in Dogs?Dogs who are in the cold for too long are at risk of hypothermia. And if they get wet, their body temperature can drop more rapidly. Never leave a dog outside when it’s too cold or windy, or when it’s raining or snowing.It doesn’t have to be extremely cold for dogs to feel the effects either, as a temperature less than 45°F (7.2°C) could put some dogs at risk. Before going outside with your dog, check the wind chill, too, as this will give you a better idea of what it actually feels like out there, and what the risk of frostbite and hypothermia really is.    Also, certain medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism and shock, could increase a dog’s risk of hypothermia.Symptoms of Hypothermia in DogsAs a dog starts to feel cold, they’ll exhibit changes in behavior. Warming them up right away can prevent them from getting even colder. If hypothermia continues to set in, the situation will become more dire as the symptoms progress.Here are some of the symptoms to watch out for:Mild hypothermia may cause a dog to shiver and experience weakness. They may also be less alert, and may try to find ways to stay warm, such as curling in a ball. If you were to feel the dog’s skin, ears, paws, legs, and tail, they may be cold to the touch.Moderate hypothermia may cause the breathing to become shallow and slow, and the muscles may become stiff, resulting in difficulty moving. The blood pressure may drop, and the dog may be even more lethargic and confused. If you were to check the gums, they may be pale.  Severe hypothermia may cause the pupils to become fixed and dilated, and a dog may have trouble breathing. They may not be as responsive, or they may become unresponsive. Also, they may not be shivering anymore. Collapse and coma may occur.How to Help a Hypothermic DogThe symptoms of hypothermia must be taken seriously. Contact your veterinarian even if you think your dog might only have mild hypothermia, as they can provide guidance on what to do, and they might advise bringing your dog in to be examined and treated.In cases of severe hypothermia, a veterinarian will need to treat your dog, so don’t try to fix this problem yourself.Here are a few steps you can take if your dog has mild hypothermia (again, talk to your vet first to be sure you’re taking the right steps and you can treat this at home):Dry your dog if they’re wet. Bring them to a warm area of your home, such as near a heat source. Wrap them in a blanket—you could even warm it up in the dryer first. Use products like the PetFusion Microplush Quilted Pet Blanket, which is super soft and has a light fill that provides more warmth.

It's a Match! Winnipeg Rescue Intro's Doggie Dates

Prospective owners can sweep their prospective partner away for the night, a weekend, or a week, before deciding to commit.

Never Scoop Again With Litter-Robot, The Purrfect Gift For Cat Lovers

Cats like a clean litter box just as much as cat owners do, but scooping clumps can be a hassle. Whisker’s Litter-Robot, the highest-rated, self-cleaning litter box for cats, eliminates the need to scoop the litter box. The newest model, Litter-Robot 4, provides a clean bed of litter for your cats after every use. It features patented sifting technology that sifts out waste after every use and deposits it into a tightly-sealed waste drawer, helping to keep odor under control. For Black Friday, you can scoop one up for less, with $75 off bundles with the Purrfect Litter-Robot accessories you will want.What Sets the Litter-Robot Apart? Litter-Robot 4 features an advanced, patented, sifting technology with QuietSift™ for nearly-silent sifting. That’s right, you don’t have to scoop and you don’t hear the litter being sifted. What could be better?

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