I just read about these in a thread on the Married Life Board and went to their website. I am thinking of getting one for our newest dog who was a stray we adopted from a shelter. He is very anxious and barks at everything that dares to go by on the road (cars, people, birds). He is also very anxious around children and other dogs. I know a lot of it is training but this might be a tool that could help?
My question is: do they eventually not need it? Do they wear it all the time? Thanks!
Post by kellbell191 on Jun 28, 2012 12:23:30 GMT -5
For your dog, I would really amp up positive reinforcement training like Nothing in Life is Free. Make sure he has consistent boundaries, a regular schedule, etc. It took each of our dogs a few months to settle down and feel comfortable in the house. We do use a thundershirt for thunderstorms with one of ours, but its accupressure, so I'm not sure using it all the time would help.
We discovered by accident that this works for our dog. We got him a shirt to wear outside in winter because he would shiver. After a couple of times we noticed that he would calm down and relax whenever he would wear the shirt.
Honestly, a shirt seems to work just as well as the Thundershirt for our dog (we have both for him).
We have what we call 'Scooby shirt time'. It's usually after dinner when it's time for him to settle down. We put it on him, he yawns almost immediately and then goes over to his bed. We only use it when he really needs it. It's seems like he doesn't know how to calm himself down and jumps and bites a lot. A shirt seems to help. Shirts are also cheaper than Thundershirts.
We discovered by accident that this works for our dog. We got him a shirt to wear outside in winter because he would shiver. After a couple of times we noticed that he would calm down and relax whenever he would wear the shirt.
Honestly, a shirt seems to work just as well as the Thundershirt for our dog (we have both for him).
We have what we call 'Scooby shirt time'. It's usually after dinner when it's time for him to settle down. We put it on him, he yawns almost immediately and then goes over to his bed. We only use it when he really needs it. It's seems like he doesn't know how to calm himself down and jumps and bites a lot. A shirt seems to help. Shirts are also cheaper than Thundershirts.
^o) Thundershirts have built in weight that provides accupressure, that's how they work. Normal shirts don't.
We discovered by accident that this works for our dog. We got him a shirt to wear outside in winter because he would shiver. After a couple of times we noticed that he would calm down and relax whenever he would wear the shirt.
Honestly, a shirt seems to work just as well as the Thundershirt for our dog (we have both for him).
We have what we call 'Scooby shirt time'. It's usually after dinner when it's time for him to settle down. We put it on him, he yawns almost immediately and then goes over to his bed. We only use it when he really needs it. It's seems like he doesn't know how to calm himself down and jumps and bites a lot. A shirt seems to help. Shirts are also cheaper than Thundershirts.
Thundershirts have built in weight that provides accupressure, that's how they work. Normal shirts don't.
They do? I thought they work b/c of the deep pressure from wrapping the shirt tightly around the dog. Shows how much I've been paying attention to Eddie's TS, I guess
OP-we have a TS for our pit mix who is, like your dog, an anxious guy in general. We didn't start trying it with him until we'd had him for at least six months, but noticed a change right away if he was wearing it during situations that particularly stress him out (like when my H would have the boys over to play poker, or when we have thunderstorms). It doesn't completely calm him, but definitely seems to take the edge off his anxiety. Like I said though, we waited a bit until we were fairly certain he was good and settled in with us before introducing it (and eventually introduced anxiety meds, about a year after we adopted him) but damn does he love that shirt. Every time we get it out, he comes running over wagging his tail, with his "Omg mom I'm scared!" look...and once we get him velcroed in he visibly relaxes a bit.
How long have you had this dog? Re: the barking-Eddie did the same thing for probably the first month or so after we adopted him. He barked at anything he saw in the front window, anything he saw in the backyard, random noises he heard in the house and outside, etc (he had lived outside on a chain for the first 8 months of his life and had only been fostered for maybe 6 weeks before we adopted him so he had a lot of adjusting to do). With time, though, he has 1. gotten better about not barking at everything and 2. responding to my cue to either "knock it OFF!" or "Uh-UH!" when he barks in the house. It definitely took some time, though. (barking at nothing at all was handled completely differently, I admit. Two rounds with the spray bottle cured that little behavior...that was a last resort though, because the demand barking at us was worse than the barking at actual things and I was thisclose to losing my mind)
Post by proclickertrainer on Jun 28, 2012 23:25:00 GMT -5
I don't know if you're aware, but the Thundershirt is a knockoff. The original, patented Anxiety Wrap that came out in 2001. The Anxiety Wrap was the first pressure wrap and is the only patented pressure wrap on the market. It was invented by certified professional dog trainer and T-Touch Practitioner, Susan Sharpe who experimented with over 90 different prototypes before coming up with the original design.
I have seen the Thundershirt - several of my clients have purchased it by mistake when I directed them to purchase an Anxiety Wrap. We saw absolutely no reduction in anxious behavior.
It is important to understand that you really need to consult a training and behavior professional for assistance with solving this problem. You should see your veterinarian for a diagnosis and to rule out any medical problems, and then try to find a qualified professional, reward based trainer with experience in behavior modification. Your dog would probably also benefit from clicker training. Try to find a certified professional, You can start by looking on the Karen Pryor website: www.karenpryoracademy.com/find-a-trainer
In answer to your question, no dogs do not always need to wear these things, but you need to understand that behavior modification is a complex process that requires the assistance of a professional. If you decide to order an Anxiety Wrap, make sure you follow the manufacturer's recommendations, and good luck!
We discovered by accident that this works for our dog. We got him a shirt to wear outside in winter because he would shiver. After a couple of times we noticed that he would calm down and relax whenever he would wear the shirt.
Honestly, a shirt seems to work just as well as the Thundershirt for our dog (we have both for him).
We have what we call 'Scooby shirt time'. It's usually after dinner when it's time for him to settle down. We put it on him, he yawns almost immediately and then goes over to his bed. We only use it when he really needs it. It's seems like he doesn't know how to calm himself down and jumps and bites a lot. A shirt seems to help. Shirts are also cheaper than Thundershirts.
Thundershirts have built in weight that provides accupressure, that's how they work. Normal shirts don't.
Well, a regular shirt works just as well for our dog. I don't notice any weights in the Thundershirt. I think there are pressure points where the fabric is a little thicker, but it doesn't feel weighted. It must be the feeling of being wrapped up that calms him (like swaddling a baby).
Thundershirts have built in weight that provides accupressure, that's how they work. Normal shirts don't.
Well, a regular shirt works just as well for our dog. I don't notice any weights in the Thundershirt. I think there are pressure points where the fabric is a little thicker, but it doesn't feel weighted. It must be the feeling of being wrapped up that calms him (like swaddling a baby).
No I think its awesome that works for you guys. I wonder if your dog could also be picking up your scent. I just know our thunder shirt is a lot heavier than a normal shirt and seems to be weighted in areas so I'd worry the OP would tie a t shirt on her dog and it not work, you know?
I've also had several friends use the Thundershirt (this is the first time I've heard of the Anxiety Wrap - guess they didn't have enough marketing as Thundershirt) and they all highly recommend it. Some for anxious cases like yours, and some for literal thunderstorms. As for how long the dog would need it, I have no idea.
The thunder shirt doesn't work for my little guy. Oh how I wish it did, as he is highly anxiousduring storms and all kinds of loud noses, including the food processor. It is beyond annoying and keeps us up/wakes my dd up all the time. We've been working with a behaviorist to stop/curb the excessive barking (people walking by, neighbors, etc) but it is a slooow process.
Post by whiskeytails on Jul 13, 2012 14:46:24 GMT -5
Look into the calming collar. That worked well for my little one and ER fear of cars. She still doesn't sleep on our 6 hour ride to Michigan, but she doesn't shake or pant the whole time either.