Ok, not sure if this is the place for this or not, but has anyone tried or know someone who has tried the Thundershirt? Our old-timer, Linus, is still terrified of thunderstorms. He has a daily medication (Quamicalm sp?) and then on days we know we're gonna have storms, we give him Xanax.
I know, most here do not believe in medicating if it can be helped, but really, it became an issue of his safety (and our sanity due to destruction). All meds are the lowest possible doses. If it weren't for Sadie, our neighbor, I have no idea what would have happened, as she comes & takes him to her house when we are at work and can't get home during a storm.
Anyway, the vet recommended we try the Thundershirt. I have heard many good things about it, but can find no one who's actually used it or had experience with it.
Any info would be so helpful, whether good or bad. I hate to think of him medicated for the rest of his life. He's around 9-10 now.
Thanks!

We just had an article in the local newspaper about the Thundershirt the other day. Hope this helps in your decision to get one or not.

http://www.buffalonews.com/life/article516780.ece

Thanks! I think I've pretty much decided to go for it.....was just hoping to talk to someone who has actually seen its "power to calm"!

Please let us know how it works! My sister was looking into this for her dog. Her dog gets so scared that even a homeopathic vet recommended medication for her. One night it was drizzling with thunder in the distance so she took the dogs out to go potty before it got heavy. Her dog actually pretended to pee so that she could run back in the house, lol.

Yes, please let us know about how it works!
Storm gets anxious when he hears it storming outside! (Isn't that ironic that his name is Storm?!) He's not that bad at all, but then the thunder wasn't too loud. I thought about getting this to see how it worked for him, but by the time I found his size, we were past the stormy weather!

My mom was transporting a blind golden for rescue and he had one. She said he wasn't as anxious with it on, but then again she only had him over night.

I don't have any experience with it as I don't have any need for it with my dogs but I have heard nothing but good things about Thundershirt, never heard a single negative comment about it. I know it's not much help to you but figured it was worth mentioning.

If you get one, please write up a review of how well it does (or doesn't) work. If I had a dog that was very fearful of thunderstorms I would have tried the Thundershirt long ago. Fortunately all my dogs are calm during storms.

The thundershirt puts Seamus into sleepy mode. I call it his off button He's not terrified of storms though, it just goes on when he's in a wild mood.

Quite truthfully if the thunder phobia is that severe (our Malinois had it) you would probably still need to medicate- perhaps not the whole dose though.

Thanks for the info. Going on line this weekend to get it on order. The things we do for our babies!

Wow. Interesting! I think the theory behind it is sound for sure. I'm sure as with most things, each dog is different, but I would certainly try it if I had a dog fearful of storms!

So I was at the local Farmer's Market yesterday & there is a woman with a booth who sells pet items. I asked her about the Thundershirt & what do you know? She happened to have some. Bad news, she only had Larges. She said she didn't realize her latest shipment only contained that size. I need a Medium for the Linocerous. So, she gave me her card & told me to stop in next Saturday & she'd be sure to have one for me. It will save shipping costs if I buy from her, so that's a bonus, Of course, we had a couple of bad storms roll through last night, so would have been a PERFECT opportunity to try it out. Oh, well......

My mom just got a thundershirt for Bruiser. The thunderstorms here have been horrible and reality hit my mom when we were initially threatened by Irene. She realized that if we were to get hit by a hurricane, Bruiser may actually have a heart attack.

She just put the thundershirt on him and he has been standing in the same spot for more than 5 minutes now, not moving at all. He is scared of the damn thundershirt!! It is really sad, but funny at the same time. We'll see how it works during a storm.

Good thing she went to the vet and got some Xanies for back up.

Aw no, Bruiser!
(I do have to admit that did make me giggle but still, poor Bruiser!)

FINALLY got Linus his Thundershirt. (Actually about 2 months ago, first chance to discuss it).
For a dog that's been terrified of storms as long as I've known him (about 9-10 years) it does a good job for him. He is still anxious, but the pacing & panting has stopped. So has the shaking & shivering. I like the fact that we can leave it on him when we're gone. Make no mistake, we still give him the daily anti-anxiety, but the Xanax are now pretty much over. I am hearing more & more of success stories with it, and think the $36 was worth it. Our vet started carrying it, so were able to save the shipping costs.
I would say that putting it on correctly is important, as Hubby found out last night. Tommy couldn't figure out why it wasn't working as well for Linus after he'd put it on him....well....let's just say Tommy needs practice!
It is like a lycra material, stretchy, but tight around him. All in all, I am impressed. I wish there'd been one of these available when Lino was still a pup...I think his anxiety would never have reached the severe state it had. BONUS:being non-husky, it's a dapper little jacket for cool mornings & evening runs!

Thanks for sharing your input on it, Amy. I think I might need to seriously suggest this to my mother in law for her dog.

I found the key with my BC that was terrified of storms, fireworks, etc. was to get it on her in advance. When I was able to put it on before she became anxious (at least 30 minutes prior to the event) it made a dramatic difference. You also need to put it on really snug. She would sometimes sleep through the storms with it on. It really was the only thing short of complete sedation that worked.

It works for us - too. Like many said, you want to get it on them before they get anxious. We put it on last night too late before we crated them for an hour and Frosti was still anxious. When we put it on about 1/2 hr before leave and just hang out - it totally zones her out and she relaxes.

Harrise - I don't understand your post. Are you asking for pictures, more information? You can read more about the Anxiety Wrap here: https://anxietywrap.com/default.aspx.

I will try to upload a photo of my own dog with the Anxiety Wrap on, but you have my word on it as a professional trainer that it works. I would never endorse a product I do not believe in.

Sincerely,
Cindy Ludwig, M.A., KPA-CTP
Owner/manager/trainer, http://www.dubuquedogtraining.com/
Dubuque, Iowa

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