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Originally Posted by AllDogBoots  Cooper's Thundershirt came today. I tore it open and put it on him, and like every other shirt he owns it looked like a half shirt. Eh, it fits. It was fairly tight and fit like a glove around his chest. They say it's the constant soft pressure that is soothing to the dog.
Cooper is very afraid of thunder. When there are storms here he goes and hides in a dark corner and shakes. He doesn't react to his favorite toy, bully stick, treats, soft music or anything. Nothing has helped thus far.
I was a little disappointed at first because it really seems like just a heavy shirt. But since I spent $36 on it I sure was going to give it a try. And this evening was the perfect time since storms were on their way. At the first sound of thunder I put it on him and continued playing fetch with him. Slowly, the thunder got louder and louder and lightening started beaming. Cooper had absolutely no reaction to the storm. The lights even flickered on and off and still Cooper was fine. I'm certain he heard the thunder because he glanced at the window at every boom.
An hour later at the end of the storm we took the Thundershirt off. I am in complete shock. It worked. It actually worked. 
We are expecting intense storms tonight and there are warnings all over tv. I'm going to have Cooper sleep in his Thundershirt. A few weeks ago we had a storm in the middle of the night and I sat with a flashlight cuddling Cooper in the corner.
I'll report back tomorrow.
Here's the link if you want to take a look: Thundershirt | The Best Dog Anxiety Treatment
It's also supposed to help problem barking so I'll let Max try it on one of our walks this week. |
oh yay!!! I'm so happy it worked well for Cooper today and hopefully it will continue to work great throughout the night with the t-storms. I bought one for Morgan last spring for the same reasons. I too was disappointed at first by the look of it. It looks like a sweat shirt with velcro straps, LOL. But after the first use I was thrilled. Wish it came in more colors though. Morgan would love a pink or purple one. hehe
I think the key to the shirt is to put it on before the anxiety starts. I found that it works best this way. If i know there is going to be a storm (or fireworks) then I will put the shirt on earlier in the day, or before i leave for work. Since its just like a regular shirt I feel safe leaving it on her unsupervised. If i put it on when the storm has already started and she has already started panting and hiding I will still see good results but it takes her longer to relax and she is still a little on guard. The shaking and panting will stop and she'll sit with me, but she is still very aware of every noise outside.
Anyway, I hope the shirt works for Cooper tonight and I can't wait to hear how it works on Max's barking on walks.