Thundershirts help ease anxiety in foster dogs
Where to buy
Thundershirts, at a cost of around $40, can be purchased online from www.thundershirt.com or from area pet stores.
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Jaxson, a 1-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier wears a Thundershirt, which has helped relieve Jaxson’s separation anxiety when his owner leaves him alone.
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Buttercup the dog wearing a Thundershirt. Wearing the shirt eases anxiety for many dogs, owners say.
JANESVILLE — When Jolene Schulz began fostering Jaxson, a 1-year-old American Staffordshire terrier, through the pet-rescue group Friends of Noah in November, he was a well-rounded dog with good social skills.
But the once-stray dog suffered from separation anxiety.
"When we'd leave him in his crate when we'd go somewhere, he would drool to the point I thought he went to the bathroom in his kennel," the Milton woman said.
So when Friends of Noah founder Lois Corwin asked Schulz if she'd be interested in using a Thundershirt on the dog, she was willing to give it a try.
The results?
"Unbelievable," Schulz said.
"The first time we came home, the drool was significantly less and not even half as much as it normally had been,'' she said.
A few days later, when Schulz knew she would be gone for several hours, she put the Thundershirt on Jaxson again.
"This time when I came home, there was no drool. It was like a miracle," she said.
Jaxson now wears the Thundershirt whenever Schulz is gone.
"It really reduces his separation anxiety," she said.
Jaxson is among five Friends of Noah foster dogs to receive Thundershirts through the organization.
"We just found out about this grant we applied for over six months ago," Corwin said. "You never know whether you will get anything, but I'm so glad we did."
The grant program's goal is to reduce stress and anxiety in foster dogs, which makes them more adoptable, Corwin said.
"It really helps with their adjustment as they come into a new home and even after they have been in the foster home for a while. All these dogs have to go through huge adjustment periods, and it takes us a while to get them to trust and feel safe again," she said.
A Thundershirt applies gentle pressure on a dog's body and can calm a dog and ease its fear of storms, Corwin said.
"The innovative jacket acts like a swaddling effect—just like with newborns—to make the dog feel comfortable, safe and warm," she said.
"In 80 percent of dogs who wear Thundershirts, the item helps relieve fear of thunder, separation and travel anxiety, hyperactivity, leash pulling and more," she said.
The Thundershirt Co., Durham, N.C., created the Thundershirt four years ago. It partnered with the Petfinder.com Foundation to donate Thundershirts to adoption organizations nationwide that are members of Petfinder.com, which is the largest online database of homeless pets, Corwin said.
The shirts are simple to use, Schulz said.
"Putting it on takes only a matter of seconds and is not difficult," she said.
"It just puts my mind at ease knowing when I'm gone and he's wearing it, he's not having anxiety," Schulz said.
Jan 8, 2013 at 2:25 p.m.
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I swear by the Thunder Jacket! Our dog knows when a storm is coming and is very willing to wear the jacket. For any dog that gets nervous during storms or fireworks, this jacket is worth a try!
Jan 8, 2013 at 1:42 p.m.
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I have used these shirts on a couple of my dogs and I have also loaned the shirt to a number of people. Almost everyone who has used it has purchased one for themselves. They are not magic and do not cure everything but they are a great tool in dealing with dogs who are having issues.
Jan 8, 2013 at 12:43 p.m.
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A friend just told me this works on their dog while they are traveling with him in the car. Prior to using the jacket he would be very nervous and constantly panting but now with the jacket he lays down and sleeps.
Jan 7, 2013 at 8:59 p.m.
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Friends of Noah is a great organization and does wonderful things for stray pets. We've fostered for them before and will do so again. One of our dogs, Jack rescued from Illinois Bird Dog Rescure benefits from a Thundershirt. He is getting older and a little more skittish and the shirt helps him be more calm.
Any help you can give to Friends of Noah, or if you need a dog/cat etc. check them out or any of the other great organizations on Petfinder.com before you spend over twice as much at the mall. I firmly believe that adopted pets know that they have been rescued and are appreciative. Both of our rescued dogs are amazing.
Jim Reif
Jan 7, 2013 at 8:26 p.m.
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I need one for my lab..the poor thing gets so scared during storms, and the 4th of July, and every hunting season...if it works for our dog, I'll let you all know...
Jan 7, 2013 at 7:51 p.m.
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Dubuquedogtrainer - While I won't dispute the efficacy of this product, using the term "acupressure" sets off my Baloney Detector™.
I'm just sayin'...
Jan 7, 2013 at 7:46 p.m.
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What, you have stock in Anxiety Wrap Dubuquedogtrainer?
Jan 7, 2013 at 5:37 p.m.
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The Thundershirt is not an innovation. It is an imitation. The original, and only patented pressure wrap, The Anxiety Wrap was invented in 2001, 8 years prior to the Thundershirt. It was invented by Certified Professional Dog Trainer and TTouch Practitioner, Susan Sharpe who experimented with over 90 different prototypes before coming up with the original design.
The Anxiety Wrap is the only pressure wrap that uses both maintained (constant) pressure and acupressure to achieve its calming effect. It provides much more coverage than the Thundershirt, comes in more sizes and provides a much better, customizable fit than the Thundershirt which is little more than a snug-fitting dog jacket.
The Anxiety Wrap is also the only pressure wrap that has been clinically proven effective, in fact, 89% effective according to a recent research study led by veterinarian, Dr. Nicholas Dodman at Tufts University.
I have seen consistently effective results with The Anxiety Wrap but I have not seen any reduction in anxious behavior whatsoever in dogs belonging to my clients who have purchased a Thundershirt by mistake.
It is important for readers to understand that there is no panacea for separation anxiety or any other type of dog behavior problem. They really need to consult a professional and use any of these products under the guidance of a knowledgeable professional as part of an overall treatment plan once the animal has been diagnosed.
To learn more about how the Thundershirt compares to the original Anxiety Wrap, see this article: http://anxietywrapsays.blogspot.com/2012... To order an Anxiety Wrap and read more about the product, see the company website: https://anxietywrap.com/default.aspx
Jan 7, 2013 at 4:27 p.m.
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I have heard great things about this, makes total sense for the foster dogs to help them ease their anxiety.
Jan 7, 2013 at 4:12 p.m.
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I can vouch for this product! Our weimaraner wears one during lightening and thunder storms. What would, normally, become a serious panic attic for him turns into a gentle snooze on the couch! Works like a champ!
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