Anyone Tried A Thundershirt For A Dog?

[fairycakes69]

My dog is 12, always been scared of noises, doesn't even have to be loud. He is getting worse. Have tried CD's, tried sedatives for 5th November, but don't know what's going to set him off any more.
Seen Thundershirt on Amazon, has anyone tried it and if so did it help?

[woofgang]

I chat on a dog forum where many people have tried them, I guess its about 50 50 whether they work or not. The best option i have found for my two scared boys is Zylkene and melatonin together. You can get melatonin through Amazon, shop around for the Zylkene, it costs an arm and a leg.

[jules77]

I havnt personally, but I know people that have and said they have worked. From past experience, it best not to make too much fuss of them as then they think there is something to worry about. Close your curtains and turn up the TV/Radio.

[jules77]

Zyklene..........

http://www.petdrugsonline.co.uk/p-1431-zylkene.aspx

[anneasquith]

I have an extremely noise sensitive dog, over a long period we and the vet have tried just about everything, he was at one time on 40mg of valium daily,very gradually we have been reducing the medication, at present he is on 2.5mg daily, eventually we hope he will manage without medication, but although improved he will remain a bit nervous re noise , but will cope with it better hopefully,

[pastafreak]

I've read that a very snug tee shirt can do the same job as a thundershirt. Apparently its the snugness that makes the dog feel secure. I may try it on sally this year...I'll have to find a child's tee.

[RATTER15]

I have heard good things about the Thundershirts.
We fortunately don't need them, in fact we took our Merlin to a firework display a few weeks ago, he looked a little unsettled for a few minutes then lay down and enjoyed the display. We do work on hours to get them used to loud noises etc from an early age. I know not everybody has the chance to do this though.

I would be tempted to buy a Thundershirt if I was having problems with my dog.

[ladybirder]

They worked for mine and I think they are brilliant. No more frightened out of his wits on bonfire night, just relaxing on the sofa fast asleep. Couldn't believe it. Amazing. They are not expensive and if it doesn't work you'll easily sell it on Gumtree. You must try it, better than drugging your dog. Good luck.

[ladybirder]

Agree Pasta, it is the same concept as swaddling a baby really.

[anneasquith]

ladybirder, my dog was never 'drugged ' as such and the valium was only used as a last resort, as my dog was so unhappy, are the thundershirts available on amazon. ?

[Tilly2]

I have a CD which I got from Pets at Home. It's called Crash, Bang, Wallop.
You play it softly at first and gradually increase the volume and the dogs get used to different sounds. It has worked brilliantly on my two. We never have any trouble with fireworks, thunder, motor bikes, etc.

[ladybirder]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thundershirt-Anxiety-Coat-Dog-Grey/dp/B0029PYC3K

[RATTER15]

There you go:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=thundershirt

[woofgang]

The problem that I have with my dogs (its been discussed on here before) is that they know the storm is coming long before it hits. I think it was FredPuli who said the same. They seem to hate the whole thing, the pressure drop and so on as well as the noise. They hate fireworks as well but its the high pitched whistling that they hate rather than the actual bangs.

[anneasquith]

I do wonder if the thundershirt is more of a garment for around firework season, as opposed to a dog who is constantly 'noise sensitive'' ??

[sandyRoe]

I think it might depend on the dog. I have a Cairn terrier who's terrified of firework bangs and last year at Halloween the wrap-round bandage seemed to help a lot.

[fairycakes69]

Thank you for your answers, I'm going to give it a go, don't really want to use sedatives, as the least little noise sets him off, even on the tv now. So would be on sedatives most of the time. We don't make a fuss, but it's awful seeing him so scared and he is getting worse.
Will let you know how we get on.

[woofgang]

Just a thought, have you talked to the vet about dementia?

[fairycakes69]

Just looked up the signs, but he is fine in every other way. We got him at 12 weeks, he'd been mistreated and fireworks were thrown at him, which explains his fear of noise, even the sound of the training clicker sets him off, so isn't just loud noises, we have over the years done what we could, just seems to have got worse over the last month, the tv never used to set him off, will try the Thundershirt if no joy back to the vets.

[RATTER15]

I really hope it works fairycakes.

[anneasquith]

have you thought of using a DAP collar, we used it with some success.?