Thundershirt Review - Help With Anxiety

[kalina82]

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.

[AllDogBoots]

I'll try it on Max tomorrow when we go for our walk. He's a problem barker. He starts before we even get out of the house and continues for a minute or 2, non stop.

[Princess10]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

I was actually scared of some of the BOOMS tonight and visualized myself in a Thundershirt

Here it is on Cooper and Max. Max wasn't thrilled but he's still new to wearing clothes.

Attachment 341778 Attachment 341779

those are two handsome little babies you've got there!

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by kalina82

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.

I'm so happy it worked for you too! I agree with everything you wrote above. It makes sense to put it on before the anxiety kicks in.

I'm not sure how it's going to work out with Max. It should be very interesting. However, it's going to be tough to wear the velcro sweatshirt in 90 degree weather!

Originally Posted by Princess10

those are two handsome little babies you've got there!

Thank you! They are cute in 1/2 shirts

[AllDogBoots]

It didn't even rain last night. I'm sorry I am not able to update anything further.

[Wylie's Mom]

This is SO cool! I'm so glad you posted a review as this will be so helpful to others . So many people have wondered about this shirt. Yay Cooper!

[linz06]

Thanks for the review! I am considering this for Layla's car ride anxiety. We are trying other methods first, but if it comes down to it, it's nice to know it works for other people before spending all that money!

[AllDogBoots]

The Thundershirt definitely did NOT work for Max's walking anxiety. Not even a bit. It looks like we'll have to work on somehow.

It's ok though. I'm very pleased with 1 out of 2!

[Princess10]

Thanks for the update. At least it helps your baby stay calm when he's scared.
Maybe they can come up with some "Thunder Goggles" so they don't bark at everything they see as a threat outside!

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by Princess10

Thanks for the update. At least it helps your baby stay calm when he's scared.
Maybe they can come up with some "Thunder Goggles" so they don't bark at everything they see as a threat outside!

I need those and a suit of armor. Max starts as soon as the door opens. I can't get him to stop unless I shut the door. We've been working on this for a while.
(by the way, your signature is hilarious)

[Princess10]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

I need those and a suit of armor. Max starts as soon as the door opens. I can't get him to stop unless I shut the door. We've been working on this for a while.
(by the way, your signature is hilarious)

Princess gets pretty bad too, whether outside or looking out the patio. It's still a work in progress, too. She is def a terrier by all means!

and thanks, hehe, "they" made me do it, so i have to show them MY place!

[salazark]

Beemer is afraid of the room where he takes classes. He was attacked there. You can read about it in this thread - http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/agi...fied-fear.html

I wonder if this might help him overcome that. I'd be willing to try anything.

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by salazark

Beemer is afraid of the room where he takes classes. He was attacked there. You can read about it in this thread - http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/agi...fied-fear.html

I wonder if this might help him overcome that. I'd be willing to try anything.

Oh I'm so sorry. I just read the thread. Aren't there any other classes you could go to instead of try to calm him in that one room?

[salazark]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

Oh I'm so sorry. I just read the thread. Aren't there any other classes you could go to instead of try to calm him in that one room?

Thanks - It really is the only good positive training facility in town. The only other option is something like Petsmart. I've been so frustrated with this. I just wonder what would happen if I put that shirt on him before we left home to go to class. I'm at the point where it might be worth the $36.00 gamble.

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by salazark

Thanks - It really is the only good positive training facility in town. The only other option is something like Petsmart. I've been so frustrated with this. I just wonder what would happen if I put that shirt on him before we left home to go to class. I'm at the point where it might be worth the $36.00 gamble.

The Thundershirt is guaranteed so if it doesn't work you can return it. I understand that it's the only facility in town. In fact, I don't have any training facility for a 50 mile radius so I'm forced to train my boys myself. However, if i were in your situation I wouldn't go back. I don't see a need to put your dog through that. I have a feeling I may be in the minority here.