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has anyone tried "thunder vest" for dogs? sm

Posted: Jun 9, 2011

Saw infomercial today for these thunder vests/shirts and wondered if they work. Website says the pressure (lycra type material) calms dogs during thunderstorms and my dog just trembles everytime it storms.

If any of you have ideas - things you do for your dogs who are afraid in storms, please share your ideas !

TIA for any info. BTW, vest costs $35.

;

Thundershirt - Dog lover

[ In Reply To ..]
I bought one about a month ago but have not had a chance to use it because it has not rained here except on the day I received it in the mail after the thunderstorm. I am hoping it will help with the July 4th noise.

I have tried it on her twice and she really likes it, which surprised me. She gets so scared and shakes so bad that I am willing to try anything.

Go on their website and watch the video that a news magazine did to test the product. That is the reason I bought it because it was not the company testing the shirt but an independent news show. It was very convincing.

I will keep you posted on what happens the next time we have a thunderstorm.

Just a thought. Does this vest put pressure - on the chest in certain SM

[ In Reply To ..]
areas? The reason I ask is I was thinking it might correlate to something I saw a while ago. Maybe some of you know more about this than I do. It was an adult autistic woman who had designed a type of structure similar to what they put cows in to calm them before slaughter (Oh I just hate thinking of that). Anyway, she made this thing, and when she went into it, it put pressure around her chest area and it was very calming. I also saw a TV show where a therapist had a special hold that she used on an autistic or Asperger's patient, a hold around the chest in a certain way, and it worked. Just wondering if there is any correlation here.

Yes, I read same thing - sm - bbb

[ In Reply To ..]
Reading about these vests, I saw the same thing -- that a similar vest that puts pressure has been used on autistic children with great success at calming them. This is what made me think this might actually be a useful product. Thanks to you both above for your responses. Please let me know if you find the vest is helpful for your dog. Very intriguing and think I will order one -- seems worth a try.

A couple other things - Anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm not familiar with the Thunder vest, but think you could make your own by just making a bube with some stretchy lycra.

My mom used Bach flower essence "mimulus" that she mixed with water and put in a spray bottle and misted her dog.

I've also heard that wiping them with a dryer sheet cuts down on the electricity in the air during storms and calms them down.

Also, when they're terrified, you should not try to cuddle or soothe them, which only reinforces their concept that storms are scary. You're s'pose to sing and dance and act happy.

Great tips - thank you so much sm - bbb

[ In Reply To ..]
especially interesting about the dryer sheet -- and makes sense too. Love these forums where all you smart people can help me !! Thanks.

Thundershirt - Typergirl

[ In Reply To ..]
I live in SW Florida and have a 51 pound collie/spaniel mix who is 14. We have been here for 11-1/2 years and she gets clear cut "panic attacks" every time it storms. I have tried it all, from CD, melatonin, and doggie valium. I did get a thundershirt and have used it 3 times in pretty good sized storms. It does calm her down, she is aware of the storm but does not try to get under my shirt or in my lap. When the storm starts, I ask her if she wants her shirt and she walks towards the office where it is kept. Does it make a difference? In her life, yes, in my life for sure.

Cost of shirt: $36 Well spent dollars.

Cost of piece of mind (mine and hers):
Priceless.

Thank you for first-hand experience - sm - bbb

[ In Reply To ..]
I just saw you post (squeezed in between all the Casey Anthony posts - HA). Thank you so much for answering -- this was what I was looking for, someone who has actually tried the vest. I believe I will try this, sounds postive from your post.
P.S. -- I love that you ask your dog if "he would like his shirt" - so cute !!

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