Gracie and I have tried the Thunder Shirt in the past. A trainer recommended it to us as a way to ease Gracie’s anxiety when riding in the car. Unfortunately, we did not see much success with it.
I took another look at it recently. I bought a larger size because I think the first one was too small. If it is not hitting in the right places, how can it work properly?
My initial approach of soaking the Thunder Shirt in DAP and slapping it on Gracie might not have been correct. According to the company who makes the shirt, slow and steady is the way to go.
I allowed Gracie to give the shirt a good sniff when I introduced her to it. I draped it over her but did not attach it. The next night, I put it in the bed with us so that it could get our scent. Yes, Rescue Daddy shook his head at that one too. Hey, I am desperate!
Over the next few days, I placed the shirt on Gracie for a few minutes here and there. I even presented her with a treat on it, as the website recommended.
When we had a little outing last weekend, I gave the Thunder Shirt a proper test. I placed the shirt on her. She shook for a bit because she knew we were going for a ride. Then, I went about my business, not grabbing the keys or doing any other “let’s go” things. She calmed and bounced around on the bed for awhile. Unfortunately, when I did grab my keys, she began shaking again.
I would love to say the Thunder Shirt did the trick after we got in the car. There is no magic cure for Gracie’s anxiety, though. As the day progressed, I noticed that the car anxiety was still there. However, she seemed to listen more than she normally does. She even lifted her head, looked around, and kept her ears up as we rode in the car. This may not sound like massive progress to you. It is for Gracie.
Was it the Thunder Shirt? Was it more exposure to car rides or the homeopathic remedy I gave her? I am not sure. I will test it more and let you know. The jury is still out.
Rescue Mommy
Showing posts with label Thundershirt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thundershirt. Show all posts
Friday, September 16, 2011
Monday, October 18, 2010
Training Mistake
On Saturday, I decided to take Gracie on a little adventure. I sprayed D.A.P. on her Thundershirt in preparation for our trip. I wrestled her into the shirt. Then, I noticed she was trembling. She was terrified. I made a big mistake.
The only time Gracie smells D.A.P. or wears a Thundershirt is on car rides. She now associates those things with a car ride, which sends her into an anxious state. Things that were supposed to sooth her do the opposite.
My plan now is to use these items at home. She needs to become comfortable with them again and no longer associate them with a car ride. If your dog associates a particular item with the source of his or her anxiety, you must find a creative way to reverse that opinion. Keep my mistake in mind if you too are struggling with a training problem.
Rescue Mommy
The only time Gracie smells D.A.P. or wears a Thundershirt is on car rides. She now associates those things with a car ride, which sends her into an anxious state. Things that were supposed to sooth her do the opposite.
My plan now is to use these items at home. She needs to become comfortable with them again and no longer associate them with a car ride. If your dog associates a particular item with the source of his or her anxiety, you must find a creative way to reverse that opinion. Keep my mistake in mind if you too are struggling with a training problem.
Rescue Mommy
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Shirts, Smells, and Supplements
Before our visit with the trainer, I had tried several different techniques and remedies. I have created a list of some of them so that you can consider them for your anxious pet.
Disclaimer: Before you try any technique/remedy/et cetera, please consult with your veterinarian. Your pet may have a medical reason for his or her anxiety, may be using a medicine that could cause an adverse reaction with the remedy, or have a medical condition that would be exacerbated by alternative medicines.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s review:
Bach Rescue Remedy. It is a homeopathic remedy that contains herbal ingredients. It is advertised as a natural way to relive stress for your pet. It can be used on both cats and dogs. You administer 4 drops of the remedy in whatever way you can get your pet to consume it – on a treat, mixed in water, et cetera. (TIP: A colleague of mine uses chicken broth.)
I have heard some people say it works well for them. I suppose it depends upon how stressed your pet is. In Gracie’s case, I noticed zero improvement.
Lavender essential oil. This scent is soothing to both humans and animals. You put a few drops in water and mix well. You can then apply it to the underside of bedding, spritz it in the air, et cetera. It made Gracie sneeze.
NutriCalm for Dogs by Rx Vitamins. I purchased this through my vet’s office. It is a natural supplement that contains tryptophan, the substance that makes us snooze after Thanksgiving turkey. (Honestly, Uncle Bud, it is the turkey, not your boring conversation, that made me fall asleep.)
The capsules are HUGE for a little dog. I broke open a capsule and shoveled the powder into a treat. Then, Gracie and I wrestled a bit before she finally ate the treat.
I saw very, very little change in Gracie. I first gave it to her at home. She yawned a bit more frequently than normal. I then gave it to her before a long car ride, which causes the highest level of stress for her. I did not see an appreciable improvement. She could have been so overwrought, though, that it did not have a chance to work.
A colleague of mine gives this supplement to her arthritic dog. She swears by it. She said her dog used to be extremely restless at bedtime and did not sleep well. Since her dog has been taking NutriCalm, she rests much better at night.
UltraCalm tablets by Drs. Foster and Smith. These supplements are similar to NutriCalm. They had no effect on Gracie.
Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP). The concept behind DAP is mother dogs secrete pheromones that calm their puppies. DAP mimics those pheromones. It is available in travel wipes, sprays, and a plug-in device (similar to those stinky air fresheners you see on TV).
I tried the wipes. They had a strong alcohol smell that faded after a few minutes. I saw no change at all. I have since learned that I may have picked the wrong delivery system.
The trainer said you must use the appropriate dosage, or it may not work well. She used the spray. She applied 10 sprays to a bandana and tied it around Gracie’s neck. Gracie was also wearing a Thundershirt (more on that in a bit). I saw a gradual calming effect on Gracie. She did not completely chill, but you could see the anxiety easing.
Thundershirt. It looks like a simple jersey shirt. You almost expect to see a cute message to be printed on the back.
The Thundershirt swaddles your dog. It applies pressure that is meant to have a calming effect. I had read about it but was hesitant to try yet another thing that might not work.
The trainer and I wrestled Gracie into the shirt. With both DAP and the Thundershirt, I noticed an improvement. Again, I want to emphasize that she did not completely relax. However, she began to relax. That is the first step in addressing the problem. She began to respond to training, which was my ultimate goal. I could work with her now.
You can get more information about the Thundershirt at their website – http://www.thundershirt.com/. Pay close attention to the chest measurements. The shirt is meant to fit snugly.
I know now that it sometimes takes a combination of things to ease tension in highly-stressed pets. Yes, I realize that I could ask the vet for the doggy equivalent of Prozac. I prefer to use natural methods whenever possible, though. Gracie’s anxiety is not so intense or life threatening that strong drugs are necessary.
We plan to use DAP and the Thundershirt whenever we approach situations that traditionally create stress. Tomorrow, we will discuss how training is used in the next component of our behavior modification project.
Rescue Mommy
Disclaimer: Before you try any technique/remedy/et cetera, please consult with your veterinarian. Your pet may have a medical reason for his or her anxiety, may be using a medicine that could cause an adverse reaction with the remedy, or have a medical condition that would be exacerbated by alternative medicines.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s review:
Bach Rescue Remedy. It is a homeopathic remedy that contains herbal ingredients. It is advertised as a natural way to relive stress for your pet. It can be used on both cats and dogs. You administer 4 drops of the remedy in whatever way you can get your pet to consume it – on a treat, mixed in water, et cetera. (TIP: A colleague of mine uses chicken broth.)
I have heard some people say it works well for them. I suppose it depends upon how stressed your pet is. In Gracie’s case, I noticed zero improvement.
Lavender essential oil. This scent is soothing to both humans and animals. You put a few drops in water and mix well. You can then apply it to the underside of bedding, spritz it in the air, et cetera. It made Gracie sneeze.
NutriCalm for Dogs by Rx Vitamins. I purchased this through my vet’s office. It is a natural supplement that contains tryptophan, the substance that makes us snooze after Thanksgiving turkey. (Honestly, Uncle Bud, it is the turkey, not your boring conversation, that made me fall asleep.)
The capsules are HUGE for a little dog. I broke open a capsule and shoveled the powder into a treat. Then, Gracie and I wrestled a bit before she finally ate the treat.
I saw very, very little change in Gracie. I first gave it to her at home. She yawned a bit more frequently than normal. I then gave it to her before a long car ride, which causes the highest level of stress for her. I did not see an appreciable improvement. She could have been so overwrought, though, that it did not have a chance to work.
A colleague of mine gives this supplement to her arthritic dog. She swears by it. She said her dog used to be extremely restless at bedtime and did not sleep well. Since her dog has been taking NutriCalm, she rests much better at night.
UltraCalm tablets by Drs. Foster and Smith. These supplements are similar to NutriCalm. They had no effect on Gracie.
Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP). The concept behind DAP is mother dogs secrete pheromones that calm their puppies. DAP mimics those pheromones. It is available in travel wipes, sprays, and a plug-in device (similar to those stinky air fresheners you see on TV).
I tried the wipes. They had a strong alcohol smell that faded after a few minutes. I saw no change at all. I have since learned that I may have picked the wrong delivery system.
The trainer said you must use the appropriate dosage, or it may not work well. She used the spray. She applied 10 sprays to a bandana and tied it around Gracie’s neck. Gracie was also wearing a Thundershirt (more on that in a bit). I saw a gradual calming effect on Gracie. She did not completely chill, but you could see the anxiety easing.
Thundershirt. It looks like a simple jersey shirt. You almost expect to see a cute message to be printed on the back.
The Thundershirt swaddles your dog. It applies pressure that is meant to have a calming effect. I had read about it but was hesitant to try yet another thing that might not work.
The trainer and I wrestled Gracie into the shirt. With both DAP and the Thundershirt, I noticed an improvement. Again, I want to emphasize that she did not completely relax. However, she began to relax. That is the first step in addressing the problem. She began to respond to training, which was my ultimate goal. I could work with her now.
You can get more information about the Thundershirt at their website – http://www.thundershirt.com/. Pay close attention to the chest measurements. The shirt is meant to fit snugly.
I know now that it sometimes takes a combination of things to ease tension in highly-stressed pets. Yes, I realize that I could ask the vet for the doggy equivalent of Prozac. I prefer to use natural methods whenever possible, though. Gracie’s anxiety is not so intense or life threatening that strong drugs are necessary.
We plan to use DAP and the Thundershirt whenever we approach situations that traditionally create stress. Tomorrow, we will discuss how training is used in the next component of our behavior modification project.
Rescue Mommy
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