Thundershirt: The Best Solution for Dog Anxiety?
Such a simple solution to a big time problem is easily met with skepticism. Can this silly little jacket thing really help my dog’s anxiety problems? The answer is, quite frankly, yes it can! And the Thundershirt can even have pretty amazing results for serious anxiety and fear problems. Even better, it’s inexpensive, easy to use, drug free, and has a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
The Thundershirt works by applying gentle, constant pressure over the dog’s abdomen which has a dramatic calming effect on anxious, fearful, or over-excited dogs. Based on surveys of over two thousand customers, the Thundershirt has caused significant improvement in over 80% of the dogs it has been used on. Another recent third-party survey shows that the Thundershirt is more effective than drug treatments!
As for why Thundershirt’s gentle pressure works to calm a dog, experts such as Dr. Temple Grandin believe that pressure has a calming effect on the nervous system. Using pressure to relieve anxiety has been a common practice for years. For example:
- TTouch dog trainers use pressure to address a wide variety of anxieties.
- Veterinarians use pressure to relax cattle when they are administering vaccinations.
- People with autism use pressure to relieve their persistent anxiety.
- Children with certain behavioral problems use pressure shirts and weighted vests to relax and focus.
- Parents use swaddling to calm an inconsolable newborn infant.
We here at Barks n’ Rec believe in testing the products we sell. We have become firm believers in the power of the Thundershirt, and they have become a staple in our tool box for our dog daycare and for our Certified Dog Trainer. Our first test case was one of our own dogs, Maui. Maui was sent into a furry of panic at the mere sight of the vacuum cleaning. Since using the Thundershirt when vacuuming, her panic and stress has greatly reduced, to the point where she no longer needs to wear the Thundershirt with the vacuum present. The first time we put it on her, we noticed a difference. Her wild pacing turned into calmly walking across the room and laying down. The more we used it, the better and more pronounced the effects became.
We have since then used the Thundershirt on our noise-reactive belgian shepherd with great success. We use them frequently within our daycare for dogs who are new to our program and are stressed about being separated from their owners. Once the Thundershirt is put on, an anxious, stressed dog calms visibly within 15-20 minutes. Going from pacing, whining, and crying to relaxing, exploring and interacting with the other dogs. Our most dramatic transformation was Bonnie, a rescue dog who went into complete panic whenever we left the daycare area. We tested the Thundershirt on her, and sure enough within 20 minutes she was so relaxed and comfortable, she passed right out into a full out sleep on the daycare couch!
We truly believe that this product works, and works well. If you have a dog who is anxious, fearful, or maybe even a bit too excited, the Thundershirt may be a simple, inexpensive, drug free solution. Thundershirts’ website lists possible uses of noise anxiety, separation anxiety (fireworks, thunder, etc), travel anxiety, crate anxiety, anxious/excited barking, pulling on the leash, leash reactivity, and general excitement or hyperactivity. We have had many clients try out the Thundershirt and have not had one returned yet. We are active in the dog training community and many vets and trainers are impressed with this product and are enthusiastically recommending it, as are we! It’s worth a try, and hey, if it doesn’t work, you can return it within 30 days for a full refund.
For more information about Thundershirt, including videos and how to, visit their website at
www.thundershirt.com
