Thundershirts, any experience Options

[pqt]

I have just bought a thundershirt for Torey, Torey is 2 years old, adopted from the dogstrust at just over 4 months old. When I first met her she was very shut down, frightened of everything. I feel this was due to no socialisation, the puppies were hidden in a room as the owners landlord did not allow pets, and not from physical abuse. She has made great progress and is generally accepting of most situations if with me and/or the other dogs. She lacks confidence and is very reactive to noise, barking and jumping about.
I thought a thundershirt might help her feel more secure, but am not sure how often or for how long she should wear it. I have put it on during the evening when I would like to sit quiet and have the dogs do the same. Torey will settle but if there is a sudden noise or someone moves, she is up often barking.
does anyone have experience of thundershirts?

[Helen@ruralhome]

Not major experience but my parents bought a Thundershirt for their JRT which should come with an ASBO They reckon it helps- not sure how often they put it on her for though..

[pangolin]

I tried it for Kiki's seperation anxiety with no difference I don't think. But that's not to say it won't work for another dog
One thing I found that has helped her chill (she's been a bit on-edge, even when not left alone, since the housemove) was teaching a proper "settle" on bed. Not just an "on your bed" cue, she already had that, but actually shaping relaxed behaviour - so rewarding her for sitting on it, then for a 'down' on it, then for dropping down onto her side, then for resting her head down etc. - so no sitting on her bed awaiting a reward, but actually relaxing her body into a proper settle. There's videos on Youtube to show you what to do, some do vary a little but a similar enough concept.

This post has been edited by pangolin: 17th Apr 2012, 7:25 am

[kimthecat]

I thought about getting one for Pip for SA but was worried about leaving him wearing it , in case it got caught on something.
Ali

[Tigger27]

Ive got one coming in the post for my little Doodah, hoping it helps him as he is such a constant freaked out mess of a dog

[pangolin]

I thought about getting one for Pip for SA but was worried about leaving him wearing it , in case it got caught on something.
Ali

It only velcros on so if it did get caught it would undo itself with the kind of force a panick-y dog would probably use.

Those thinking about using them, remember that they offer a money-back guarantee so if it doesn't work, you can return it (some retailers are happy to take it back, or you can send it to the manufacturer direct)

[paddyholt]

I have just bought a thundershirt for Torey, Torey is 2 years old, adopted from the dogstrust at just over 4 months old. When I first met her she was very shut down, frightened of everything. I feel this was due to no socialisation, the puppies were hidden in a room as the owners landlord did not allow pets, and not from physical abuse. She has made great progress and is generally accepting of most situations if with me and/or the other dogs. She lacks confidence and is very reactive to noise, barking and jumping about.
I thought a thundershirt might help her feel more secure, but am not sure how often or for how long she should wear it. I have put it on during the evening when I would like to sit quiet and have the dogs do the same. Torey will settle but if there is a sudden noise or someone moves, she is up often barking.
does anyone have experience of thundershirts?

Hi, I got one for my rescue greyhound. The secret is, to put it on the dog WELL BEFORE the stress is going to happen, e.g. sepaation, travel. etc. It certainly works on Millie. Good luck!

[kimthecat]

It only velcros on so if it did get caught it would undo itself with the kind of force a panick-y dog would probably use.

Those thinking about using them, remember that they offer a money-back guarantee so if it doesn't work, you can return it (some retailers are happy to take it back, or you can send it to the manufacturer direct)

Thanks. That's encouraging. It worth giving it a try .

[pangolin]

Also it's fairly tight fitting so not loose like a coat, so probably not that likely to catch on anything, here's some photos from Google of it "in action" if that helps
http://0.tqn.com/d/vetmedicine/1/0/1/a/thu...rt-closeup2.jpg
http://johannthedog.com/Images/GracieThundershirt.JPG
http://caninesunlimited.com/ThundershirtWBIMGP8109_2211.JPG
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SvW22Zdsi80/SonI...hundershirt.jpg

[pqt]

Torey does not have separation anxiety nor is she frightened of travelling, she does settle in her bed of an evening but unlike the other dogs she never seems to be totally relaxed. The slightest sound or movement she is up and alert. should she wear it every evening? ca/n they become to reliant on the shirt

[Tigger27]

Thundershirt and Deweydoodah.....so far so good......

[dog2]

is the idea that it fits snugly so giving the dog an awareness of it being on and a 'swaddling' effect?if so when it starts to get loose as things tend to do when worn a bit will it lose its effect?i am very interested in this.would it help a dog who is scared of other dogs and gets 'aggressive' or is it not that kind of thing?

[mskahoward]

Sorry - middle aged brain syndrome - just read 'Thunderbirds'. Was all prepared to talk at lenght about Scott, John, Virgil, Alan, Gordon, Jeff, Brains et al!!

[Broody]

I have a nervous Collie and when the fireworks start going off he is extremely distressed. He is bad enough with bangs and loud noises anyway. I bought a Thundershirt after hearing so many good things about them, but they didn't work for him. He was terrified of the velcro ( ) and even with trying to de-sensitive him he just couldn't cope with the ripping of the velcro and I had to send it back.

I have tried DAP and bach remedy and nothing works, so at the moment I am teaching myself T Touch and that seems to be helping him.

[dogaholic]

when it starts to get loose as things tend to do when worn a bit will it lose its effect?

As it is velcro you can just do it up a little further if the material does stertch at all. A friend has one for her dog and after 2 years use it is not loose at all, it looks exactly the same when it is on!