Thundershirt Review - Help With Anxiety
 

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. :eek:

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.

That is great!! Please let us know how it works tonight.

My maltese Sugar has anxieties with thunderstorms. She will shake and pant and try to keep climbing further up on you. We had a thunderstorm this morning and she was so stressed out. It would be great if this worked for her.

I have always wanted to buy one of these but have put it off. Bogey is also a wreck during storms and the season is upon us. He takes Anxitaine which really helps but he's still reactive, just not as bad.
You will have to keep us posted how things go again tonight during your storms. I'm going to take a look at the link right now. It's so upsetting when you want to make them feel all better and all they do is shack. :(

How wonderful the Thundershirt worked for Max.....what a relief for you all!

Thank you for writing this review, I've wondered if these really worked. I don't have anyone here terrified of storms but know of several pet owners that experience this problem. It's great to know of something that works and it isn't a drug.

I suppose the true test will be the middle of the night when everyone's sleeping. I really hope that it will comfort him. I've heard really great reviews of the Thundershirt but I've been really skeptical. I've also heard reviews where it did nothing, but the product is guaranteed. If it doesn't work it can be returned and all returns are donated to shelters. That alone sold me.

Cross fingers!

I'm eager to hear the overnight review! I sure hope that it is not very bad there tonight for you all. I hate loud, windy and lightening-filled thunderstorms myself so I need a Thundershirt!!! Tibbe is fine through them but not me!

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

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

Attachment 341778 Attachment 341779

I'm really glad to read you have had a great experience with the Thunder Shirt.
As I mentioned in another post I bought one at the dog show a few weeks ago and didn't have any luck with mine last night, BUT I am going to try it again when we get more t-storms. I just hope this may have been a fluke.

I'm really happy for you.

I was just thinking of you and wanted to update the other thread. Did you try the conditioning? Not sure how much this would matter, but the instructions say to put a treat on it and use it as a plate before putting it on your dog. I also put it on Cooper before the storm really started.

Thank you so much for posting! My great Aunt called today and said she didn't know what she was going to do with Bella this week when the storms come in.

Her dog Bella has already been in a tizzy over the neighbor working on his motorcycle all day so by tonight Bella will be shaking and under the bed.

My G.Aunt is not able to bend under the bed to get her out and just leaves her there and spends the rest of the day worrying about her.

I sent a link to the thunder shirt to her and hope she will order it.

Those are really sharp looking. Hope they continue to help.

I just saw these last night and I wondered if they worked. Keep us posted!

looking forward to hearing how it worked I have one that may benfit from something like this
thanks

I wonder if they work for separation anxiety. Will have to check out the link!

I'm so glad that worked for your baby, it's so hard once they get scared of something it's almost impossible to snap them out of it. I'd be very interested in knowing if it helps with problem barking--that could be a God send!

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'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.

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

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!

Thank you! They are cute in 1/2 shirts:rolleyes:

No Update - Sorry
 

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

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!

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!

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!:)

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!;):p

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.:rolleyes: 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!:p

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?

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.