Thunder shirt for dogs

[tedmus]

Anybody tried these?

My boy gets so stressed out with fireworks on Bonfire night, are these any good or just a load of rubbish?

Rescue Remedy does nothing, we turn the volume up on TV/radio etc but with a pub at the back of us that usually puts a display on it's a nightmare.

[Janluke]

We have one for one of our rescue Jack Russells and there is a noticeable affect, she becomes a little calmer and less clingy. I wouldnt say its a cure all but it does help. They have lots of adjustment and according to the instructions do need to be quite snug to work otherwise its just an expensive dog coat

[bexVN]

Have had some positive feedback from clients at work. One owner said the difference in her dogs behaviour was more than she could have hoped for. It's not for all dogs but worth a go I'd reckon.

[Efbe]

better results with taking the dog out for walks late a night for the week before so she gets acclimatised to loud bangs, and can see that it doesn't phase me.

[bexVN]

Efbe said:

better results with taking the dog out for walks late a night for the week before so she gets acclimatised to loud bangs, and can see that it doesn't phase me.

Not a great idea for truly phobic dogs. Seen some horrific injuries due to dogs freaking out when fireworks have gone off whilst being walked.

[Spiffing]

I made one for my dog out of an old t-shirt and some Velcro straps. It has helped him, but as it is thunder rather than fireworks it's more difficult to get the timing right to put it on him as I like to put it on an hour before to relax him. Putting it on after he has sensed the thunder doesn't work as well.

[Jasandjules]

Had no effect on our rescue, nor did rescue remedy or the skullcap and valerian tablets he was popping like smarties. Homeopathy however has meant he is quite happy to sleep through fireworks or thunderstorms now.

[tedmus]

Jasandjules said:

Homeopathy however has meant he is quite happy to sleep through fireworks or thunderstorms now.

Is there anything you would recommend?

Presumably you would dose up in the weeks before?

[Jasandjules]

tedmus said:

Is there anything you would recommend?

Presumably you would dose up in the weeks before?

Unfortunately it doesn't work like that, because there are a few tablets which might work BUT it is subject to the personality/behaviour of the person/animal.

I think if you speak to Ainsworths they might be able to go through with you this issue and the personality of your dog and advise what should work. If not I can suggest a homeopathic vet or in the alternative my OH might be happy to take a look - she is kind of studying this now as we have cured allergies to wheat and grass in our pets with it too..

And yes, we previously used a low dose daily, it appears now that there is enough in the system that we need only dose when he is exhibiting signs of distress, sometimes he will sleep through or ignore Thunder and shooting and fireworks.

But again someone who knows much more about it that I would be better placed to advise on what dosage might assist.

[Efbe]

bexVN said:

Efbe said:

better results with taking the dog out for walks late a night for the week before so she gets acclimatised to loud bangs, and can see that it doesn't phase me.

Not a great idea for truly phobic dogs. Seen some horrific injuries due to dogs freaking out when fireworks have gone off whilst being walked.

was meaning miles from the fireworks. definitely not near them. so they can get used to distant noises like this. But yeah obviously dog dependent.

[parakitaMol.]

Didn't find the Thundershirt worked for my anxious boy - also tried skullcap & valerian with no luck - however after 6 weeks on Zylkene he seems a little less anxious

[ben5732]

Massively helped with ours. He would destroy the house if left alone for any period of time and we almost had to give him up. As a last ditch effort we tried a mixture of the thundershirt and putting him in his old crate whilst we were out to see if it would help at all... He managed to escape from it one time we came back and he was just laying on the sofa so decided to make a quick trip to the shop the following day hoping him not damaging anything wasn't a fluke. 1 year down the line he still has free roam of the house and garden when we are out and he hasn't damaged a thing. I'd say it's definitely worth a go

[parakitaMol.]

Adaptil collars have worked really well for my boys this fireworks week this year (or should I say two weeks)... I have just got the valerian drops as well to put in their food.