Influence of dog-appeasing pheromone on dogs during training

Etkin Şafak; Nesrin Sulu

doi:10.33988/auvfd.1749724

Influence of dog-appeasing pheromone on dogs during training

Abstract

The welfare of working dogs during training is crucial for their health, learning capacity, and long-term performance. This study investigated the efficacy of the Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) in mitigating acute stress responses in Belgian Malinois during a structured 7-day basic obedience training protocol. Thirty-three dogs were randomly allocated to three groups: Group 1 (control, no training or DAP), Group 2 (training without DAP), and Group 3 (training with DAP). Physiological indicators (heart rate, body temperature, salivary cortisol) and behavioral stress markers (ethogram-coded postures) were recorded daily. Dogs in Group 2 exhibited significantly elevated stress responses across all parameters compared to Groups 1 and 3 (P < 0.001). Group 3, treated with DAP, showed physiological and behavioral measures not statistically different from the control group, indicating effective stress mitigation. Specific stress behaviors—such as ear retraction, lowered head, and semi-low posture—were markedly reduced in DAP-treated dogs. Strong positive correlations were observed between physiological and behavioral indicators (e.g., cortisol and body posture: r=0.503; cortisol and tail position: r=0.744), supporting the reliability of behavioral observations in stress assessment. This is the first study to integrate behavioral and physiological metrics to demonstrate the stress-buffering effect of DAP during active training. Given its non-invasive and non-sedative nature, DAP represents a promising tool for improving welfare in working dogs without compromising performance. Incorporating DAP into training protocols may support ethical handling practices and enhance the well-being and functional success of dogs in demanding service roles.

Keywords

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Etkin Şafak ^*
0000-0003-3869-3749
Türkiye

Nesrin Sulu This is me
0009-0004-7660-9266
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

January 21, 2026

Publication Date

January 21, 2026

Submission Date

July 24, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 29, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 73 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1749724

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA89RD68KS

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Şafak, E., & Sulu, N. (2026). Influence of dog-appeasing pheromone on dogs during training. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 73(2), 167-176. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1749724

AMA

1.Şafak E, Sulu N. Influence of dog-appeasing pheromone on dogs during training. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;73(2):167-176. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1749724

Chicago

Şafak, Etkin, and Nesrin Sulu. 2026. “Influence of Dog-Appeasing Pheromone on Dogs During Training”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73 (2): 167-76. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1749724.

EndNote

Şafak E, Sulu N (April 1, 2026) Influence of dog-appeasing pheromone on dogs during training. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73 2 167–176.

IEEE

[1]E. Şafak and N. Sulu, “Influence of dog-appeasing pheromone on dogs during training”, Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg, vol. 73, no. 2, pp. 167–176, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.33988/auvfd.1749724.

ISNAD

Şafak, Etkin - Sulu, Nesrin. “Influence of Dog-Appeasing Pheromone on Dogs During Training”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73/2 (April 1, 2026): 167-176. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1749724.

JAMA

1.Şafak E, Sulu N. Influence of dog-appeasing pheromone on dogs during training. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;73:167–176.

MLA

Şafak, Etkin, and Nesrin Sulu. “Influence of Dog-Appeasing Pheromone on Dogs During Training”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 73, no. 2, Apr. 2026, pp. 167-76, doi:10.33988/auvfd.1749724.

Vancouver

1.Etkin Şafak, Nesrin Sulu. Influence of dog-appeasing pheromone on dogs during training. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026 Apr. 1;73(2):167-76. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1749724