The Gentle Leader Calming Cap is a wonderful tool for easing a dog’s anxiety in high-stress situations allowing an opportunity for easier vet visits, dog-to-dog or dog-to-people interactions and travel. The Calming Cap reduces visual stimuli and lowers the dog’s emotional arousal helping him to remain comfortable, overcome fearfulness, and increase confidence. The single-panel sheer fabric window does not blind your dog, but filters his vision like trying to see under low-light conditions. Dogs can still see well enough to go on walks and play fetch. Most dogs accept the Cap easily.
Groomers-for trims & nail clippings
Veterinarians-for vaccinations, blood samples, exams, and other procedures on fractious or frightened dogs
Trainers & Behaviorists-for use in desensitization, easing dog-dog and dog-people introductions and separation anxiety
Pet Owners-for curbing explosive barking when visually stimulated and reducing anxiety in cars, during travel, and on vet visits
Available in blue or dog print
Read an article about the "Calming Cap' here:
Novato expert develops canine 'calming cap'
Carla Bova
Novato dog behaviorist Trish King can get even the most nervous dog to go for a car ride or visit the veterinarian.
The Gentle Leader Calming Cap she created helps quell angst or aggression or dogs in stressful situations.
"The calming cap can be used to relax dogs during nail trims, medical procedures and social interactions," said King, director of behavior and training at the Marin Humane Society. "It's a great tool for anyone who needs to calm an anxious dog, including groomers, veterinarians and trainers."
The dog's vision is filtered through a gauze-like fabric that gives dogs enough sight to navigate surroundings but reduces visual stimuli that can cause anxiety, Humane Society spokeswoman Sheri Cardo said.
"I did not want the dogs to be blinded," King said. "They can see shades - light and dark - they just cannot see specifics."
King got the idea for the cap in 2002 when a client - whose Australian shepherd/chow mix enrolled in her "Difficult Dog Class" at the Humane Society - complained that the dog barked excessively while riding in the car.
"Together we came up with a scarf-type thing to put over the dog's eyes in the car and it worked well," King said. "The first time, the dog tried to get it off. The second time she just accepted it and the third time she went to sleep."
Though originally designed to calm dogs that got excitable traveling in cars, applications of the cap evolved.
"People started to use it and said it worked for other things," King said.
In 2003 another client had problems with two great Pyrenees.
"They would spin in the car," King said. "I suggested they try it and the dogs fell asleep."
San Anselmo resident Jean Mansen said her malamute, Kodiak, suffers from severe motion sickness.
"He is terrified of being in a car and gets incredibly car sick, so much so he would start drooling when he walked by a car and started throwing up after being in a car for about two minutes," Mansen said.
At nearly 3 years old, Kodiak never outgrew the ailment. Mansen tried several remedies including medications, homeopathic methods and behavior modification techniques.
Everything changed about a year ago with the purchase of a cap.
"Trish did a private consultation for us at home because we could not take Kodiak anywhere," Mansen said. "She had never used it on a dog with motion sickness before but we got one and he was so much better. He still is nervous near cars and still drools a little bit but he never threw up and now he goes up to Lake Tahoe with us. It works and keeps working."
At first, two women in Turlock sewed the caps by hand.
In 2005, Premier Pet Products based in Richmond, Va., which manufactures and distributes pet products, approached King to produce and market the cap.
"We are always excited to produce safe, humane products that help animals," said Sharon Bennett, Premier's chief executive officer. "In the professional market, we saw an opportunity to give veterinarians, groomers, trainers and animal shelter staff an effective tool to allow for easier handling and interactions.
"Above all else, we viewed the calming cap as a device to create stronger bonds between dog and owner."
The cap attaches to a dog collar with Velcro straps.
King said the Marin Humane Society has sold 500 to 600 caps around the country.
The item has been offered through Premier for about six months.
"We knew it would be a valuable product for many pets," Bennett said.
"We have heard from vets and techs that have used the petite-size cap on cats, rabbits and exotic zoo animals."
Published May 17, 2006 in the Marin Independent Journal
Available in four sizes and two styles: Royal Blue and Patterned Print!
Petite
Most Toy Breeds, Puppies, Cats and Rabbits
Small
Shelties, Most Small Terriers, etc.
Medium
Cattle Dogs, Female German Shepherds & Rotties, etc.
Large
Mountain Dogs, Male German Shepherds & Rotties, etc.
The Calming Cap is designed to help reduce your dog's anxiety level in stressful situations. Sometimes, the situation may require professional support. We recommend talking to your veterinarian, behaviorist or a qualified trainer who may provide additional assistance in reducing your dog's anxious behavior.
Important: The Calming Cap will not be effective on all dogs.
