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Pheromonal Mind Control Mellows Moody Mutts
StefanJ writes "Two researchers at the Royal School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh have been experimenting with DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) a chemical that calms down dogs.
The study described in this press release subjected dogs in a shelter to the hormone. The homeless animals barked less, and reacted better to visitors.
I've heard that realtors prepping a house for show sometimes put a drip or two of vanilla extract on a kitchen stovetop, in the theory that this particular scent makes people feel at home. A specific Human Appeasing Hormone would really up the ante. You spray it on elementary school kids when the weather is nice, or when a substitute teacher is due. And on jail inmates. And people in malls who are sitting on benches instead of shopping, the damn freeloaders! Oh, Brave New World, that has such psychoactive scents in it!"
The best way to mellow out a dog,
from the dog's point of view.
A long walk through the woods.
Followed by a pork chop or steak.
Then a long belly rub.
There is a similar product already on the market for cats. I have to wonder, though, whether long-term use would be harmful, for example by desensitizing the animal to certain pheremones. If a cat or dog suddenly finds that everything smells "comforting", you might end up a few years later with an even more nervous animal that doesn't feel comfortable anywhere. I think I'll stick to old fashioned training with my cats...
A specific Human Appeasing Hormone would really up the ante.
It already exists. It's called marijuana.