Good Behavior Collar by Sentry

First, I would like to thank the folks at Sentry for the samples provided to us.  This product was tested by three separate dogs, two rescue dogs and one prior rescue dog.

The intention of the product is that is impregnated with the pheromones that mimic the pheromones the mother dog uses to calm and reassure her puppies.  It is intended to help a dog cope with stress and anxiety.

The collar is a very stiff collar and initially disperses a powder coating. It is pleasant smelling, almost a bit too perfume scented.  The powder coating does eventually wear off after a day or so, but do be prepared for it to coat your hands and immediate surface.   Because the collar is so incredibly stiff, it does not lay in a good way.  In fact, the dog looked like one of those ring toss pop bottles at the fair with this hoop around his neck.

Former rescue dog with anxiety including circling behaviors and floor licking:
    The collar did seem to have an effect, however, it took several days for it to be noticeable.  While the
     circling behavior did not stop, the floor licking improved.  He was also more willing to allow people to join
     him on the sofa or bed if he was already sitting there, where he would often feel the need to defend that
     space.  His owner has indicated she intends to continue the use of this collar.

Current rescue dog with storm anxiety:
     The foster mom found the scent of the collar over-powering and the stiffness of the collar somewhat
     annoying.   She did not notice any change in behaviors with this collar and felt that the cost of $14+ was
     too much to pay for continued use, even if it had worked.   She did use if for the full 30 days.

Current rescue dog with fear and severe shyness:
     I tried this product on a foster dog who had some significant fear issues and severe shyness.  I had
     fostered him for six months until we finally found a home a significant distance away.  I tried the collar on
     him in hopes that it would help his transition.  He seemed a little less skittery, but otherwise I didn't notice
     a massive improvement.   However, his new parents reported that he settled in much quicker than they
     expected, he was wary and went to his crate for safety often, but was not as fearful as they expected,
     considering his normal behavior.  They did leave the collar on for a week after his arrival, but once they
     were sure he felt confident in his new home, they removed the collar.

In all, the cost of the collar is significant when compared to the actual results we experienced.

The Naked Dog gives this product 2 paws up.

Gracie has passed away...

It is with a heavy heart that I announce our dear, sweet Gracie passed away this evening.   She suffered a massive seizure and was not able to come out of it.   Her poor little damaged brain just couldn’t take anymore. After discussion with her vet and rescue, it was decided that her brain was just giving out and we made the decision to peacefully let her go.  In her last final act, Gracie was able to lick my face one final time as if she were  trying to comfort me as I sobbed my farewell. 

Over the past few weeks, I noticed that her medication seemed to not be working as well and by the weekend, she had nearly regressed fully.  She was even forgetting what housebreaking she had learned. 

My heart is heavy, but I know she is free from that cage which was her mind.  My thanks to Dr. Mansfield for being there for us both at the end, and for trying so hard to find a way to fix her. 

Ho-hum

The new year came and went and I am still looking for a home.

It's been very hard on me, not getting as much exercise as I was used to when the weather was nicer.   We had a couple of days where it go to be 40 degrees and bunch of that horrible snow melted.  I loved those few days.  I got to run around outside, which is my favorite thing in the world.   My foster mom hated it.  She said it uncovered all the dog poop, so she had to spend those days picking it up.  If she didn't we were just going to track all that mushy poop mess into the house and on the white furniture.

Yes, my foster mom has white furniture (and they think I'm the crazy one).  But she says because it's something called "my-crow fiber" it's easy to wipe down with a little cleaner.   I hope that doesn't mean that it's made out of real crows.  All the crows I've ever seen are black, unless they made them out of albino crows.  She said next time she is getting leather.  I know that comes from cows because it's kind of like the chews we get.   Now don't worry, I would never chew on the couch.   I'm a very good girl, I don't chew on things I'm not supposed to.

My foster mom has been very busy.  She has to do a pet expo soon so she has been sewing dog coats and making jewelry.  It's what she does best.  I don't get to go to this one.  Normally, she said she would take me, but it's far from home and she worries it might be a bit much for me and if it is, I'm stuck there.   She's taking my foster sister, Baby.  That way Baby gets to promote "Baby Be Sweet Lip Balm."  Baby is the spokes dog after all, and her face is on the label.    She said I get to go to the next expo, which is here in town.  If it's too much for me, she will just bring me home.  Expos mean a lot of activity and crowds and that can over-stimulate me, making me more hyper than normal.   I just get so excited to see everyone.  

I had to go to the vet this week just for some routine tests to make sure my medication wasn't causing any problems and every time someone came in, I got so excited I could hardly contain myself.  Everyone came over to pet me.  They all said my tail goes a mile a minute. Actually, I think it's faster than that.  I was so excited when Mark, the vets helper came to pick me up, I tinkled on him.  The good news was my lab results were all perfect.   Did you hear that?  I'm perfect.  Now if I could just find someone who thinks so too.

                                            - Gracie