LONDON (Reuters) - The right doggie perfume may be all it takes to soothe a savage beast, scientists say.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh managed to quiet noisy pooches in an animal welfare shelter, and make them friendlier to strangers, by plugging in a machine that emitted special perfumes: Dog Appeasing Pheromones (DAP).
Elaine Todd and Natalie Waran of the university's Royal School of Veterinary Studies studied 37 dogs over seven days.
"These pheromones -- special chemical odors containing messages familiar to dogs -- had the effect of reducing the frequency and noise levels of barking among the animals," the university said in a statement.
The dogs also became friendlier, showing more interest in unfamiliar visitors who knelt in front of their kennels, it said.
"This study suggests that DAP is a useful palliative tool for reducing the severity and occurrence of some behavior associated with canine stress and fear," Todd said.
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