Thundershirt

[Kyoko]

http://www.thundershirt.com/

 

This " Thundershirt" was introduced to me from Charlie's trainer. It is to reduce dog's fear and anxiety and looks similar to the concept of Temple Grandin's "Squeeze Machine". I am going to take a look at one, and may try it for Charlie. Does anyone have try it? If so, how do you like the result?  How about the model of the shirt is a doodle!!!

[Kyoko]

Today, I could not find Charlie's thunder shirt to go to her Rally class. She has been doing really well there, so I thought it would be OK. Well, she was OK, but made a lot of whiny, soft growly like noise!!! I really saw the big differences without the Thundershirt!! You know, the first thing I did after I got home from her school was to look for that shirt!!

[Sally loves Maple & Lucky]

Maples Thundershirt arrived last night. I took it out of the mailing box and placed it on the kitchen floor. Both dogs sniffed it and yawn, so what? Then I took it out of it's package and put it back down. More sniffing. We put it on Maple and she laid right down in it. She likes it but then I thought the way she likes her boating life jacket she'd have no problem. Thank goodness she doesn't freak at the sound of velcro or this would be counter-productive! So far we all love the Thunderjacket.

Has anyone put the jacket on their dog for a few hours in their crate? Thinking about getting one for Lucky when we're at work. She's chewed a few crate liners to shreds.

[Kyoko]

The other night, Charlie kept barking and barking for some reason, so I put a thundershirt on her before we went to bed. She quickly quiet down and went to sleep in her crate. I think it will be ok to wear it in a create....
Maple and Lucy looks like they are each other's best friend!! So cute!!

[Sally loves Maple & Lucky]

Thanks everyone! Yes the girls are best buds, maybe TOO close. We've started doing more individual activities with them to lessen a separation anxiety between them.
My next experiment with the Thundershirt will be Monday night at obedience class. Sometimes Maple gets to the "edge" with the dogs that are bouncing everywhere and not behaving. It will also be interesting to see if it makes a difference with her classmate, a beautiful young German Shepard male. He REALLY likes Maple, but she has told him off a couple of times. Very interesting dynamic.

[Lauria Orr]

We do put the Thundershirt on Melody before putting her in her crate. She seems to be doing better with the crate, although I am certain she would rather roam free!

I was pleasantly surprised that she did not "react" to the sound of the Velcro, and she seems to get startled with many noises. She does great with the Thundershirt. When I put her in the crate, I spray the D.A.P. spray in there as well. It is supposed to simulate the pheromone of their Mothers. I found it at a site on eBay that was much less expensive than the Vet's office.

Good luck with Maple and Lucky!!!! They are soooo cute!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

DAP Spray. I'm reading a lot about pheromone colors, plug ins, etc.

Those of you who use Pheromone products want to start a discussion with results, links, etc ?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

That should say--Collars not Colors. I need to hire a proofreader soon

[Kyoko]

I would like to hear/read about that... I never used it before, so.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Let me go do some research and post a discussion. Possibly we can get some feed back from those who use pheromone scents with their dogs.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

I bought a Thundershirt for my sister's Westie while I was dog sitting for them. Tegan would bark and growl during thunderstorms (which Florida Gulfcoast gets a lot). The shirt worked great for him. No more running around like a mad man, barking and growling. He is now quiet and calm during thunderstorms and even fireworks.