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The doghouse

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Original poster

Thundershirt- is it really that simple?

56 replies

FaintlyBaffled · 08/01/2017 17:40

We've just cracked and bought one for DDog3.
She's excitable, licky, springy and hugely reactive outside the house. We've just put it on her and she's rooted to the spot bizarrely calm. We can stroke her without being drowned in dribble, she's not jumping up, in fact she's almost catatonic. I can hardly wait to try her outdoors Confused
However hard I've looked, I can't seem to find any guidance on how we actually use it though. Should we keep it on all the time or use it only in situations where we know there's going to be an issue? ATM
I may never take it off as she's cheerfully pottering about the house and not causing mayhem in any shape or form. I'm worried that the effects will be diluted if we use it constantly, but perhaps prolonged periods of behaving "properly" may cause her to see that as normal (as we are hugely praising her at the moment for her calmness)
I really don't want to ruin this "miracle cure" by using it inappropriately.

OP posts:
Original poster
FaintlyBaffled · 10/01/2017 17:30

Snug is what you're after acorns, though there's so much room for adjustments that I doubt there's any difference in having a larger one done up tightly to a smaller one.
DDog3 is in a small and she is a staffieXwhippet, so really a short whippet with a small staffies head on.

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floopyloopy · 10/01/2017 17:38

I agree - about the weird calmness, but i feel like it should be ok. To be in that state of relaxation without all that adrenaline building up. It must be a relief, like feeling dozy and not anxious.

When it's taken off he shakes (like he's been wet) and comes out of his trance. I'm feeling positive.

I just walked him in it, and he did woof at a cat as normal so he's not completely inhibited.

CiBi · 10/01/2017 19:27

Ooh following with interest. We already have one of these, but haven't been using it. Since we've gone back to work after Christmas (we have a dog walker) DDog has developed awful separation anxiety and has been ripping up the carpets, which is totally out of character. Will stick her in the straight jacket tomorrow and report back Grin

Original poster
FaintlyBaffled · 10/01/2017 20:20

I'm sort of hopeful with DDog3 that the new calmness will allow us to work on the desired behaviours.
So she jumps up and licks all the time and it's been impossible to break because she's so hyper, I never have the opportunity to praise the behaviour I want. Now I can praise her approaching calmly and not licking, when I ask her not to jump and lick she has an alternative behaviour to try that she knows we will like

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taptonaria27 · 10/01/2017 20:34

I'd be really interested to hear whether it has any effect on the dog with separation anxiety. DDog is fine while I am with him but not happy to be left (rescue lurcher, currently not left at all, ever, sigh)

Original poster
FaintlyBaffled · 11/01/2017 07:47

A quick update....
DDog3 has been wearing her "knickers" since Sunday afternoon. I took them off last night as I thought her combination of whippet and staffie skin should be properly aired however much we're enjoying the peace Sadly it looks like her constant shaking has rubbed a raw patch on her neck so he will be knickerless for a few days while it heals Hmm

HOWEVER.... the break from off her tits crazy has had a small effect on her behaviour. Greeting us is calmer, (though markedly more exuberant than with the knickers on) and a firm "ahah" when she did jump up caused her to plop all four feet on the floor at once- in nearly three years this has never happened

This morning she's honking round the downstairs, hanging off the boys ears and hurling toys about the place so it's not had any detrimental effect on her character. It's actually really nice to see the old her IYKWIM as the knicker clad version was so far removed from her normal demeanour.

So the knickers will be going back on in a couple days. Until then it's 110mph again round these parts Grin

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floopyloopy · 11/01/2017 13:56

Well naughty dog slept through the night without barking. Thank god!

He's settling so much easier. What a revelation!

taptonaria27 · 13/01/2017 14:17

Any more updates please? Am about to grab the tape measure and take the plunge. Our main problem is separation anxiety, although barking at visitors and barking at other dogs when on the lead is a bit of an issue at times too, as was barking at the vets yesterday - now I list it, there's really quite a lot of barking we'd like to reduce!!

Original poster
FaintlyBaffled · 13/01/2017 14:37

I've yet to try DDog3 out the house with it as it's rubbed her neck sore so we're still not using it ATM.
However the short break in her behaviour has allowed us to encourage the behaviour we want which was previously impossible. So when I come in from work she would be jumping up to head height and licking. Now I can ask her to sit and she remembers how lavishly she got praised for this before so repeats the action which is literally a life changer for us.
As I said I've yet to see how things pan out when we venture outdoors but any improvement is a blessing!

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floopyloopy · 13/01/2017 17:43

Yep. Success all the way here. It's like a straight jacket (sorry for the term). It just calms him instantly. We're not over using it though. Just for manic moments when he's wresting the other dog, jumping up and being reactive.

taptonaria27 · 14/01/2017 13:21

I've ordered one from Amazon last night, should come today, I'll keep you posted!

Original poster
FaintlyBaffled · 14/01/2017 13:55

DDog3 and I ventured outdoors in it today. Obviously there was not a dog to be seen in our heavily dog infested village but she walked nicely for the first time ever!

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taptonaria27 · 14/01/2017 20:23

It's here and it's on but as ddog is catatonic in the evenings (unless the doorbell goes) it's hard to tell yet!

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 14/01/2017 21:44

So, do you think the dogs are calm on a good way or is it just weird?

I'm tempted, but I don't want the dog to be calm just because he's too freaked out to react to something.

I do hope it's the good calm reaction, I must say.

Costacoffeeplease · 14/01/2017 21:54

Ours was a bit freaked to start with, but now it's a good calm, he's perfectly happy, still runs about and plays with his tail wagging, but some of his more extreme behaviours have settled down

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 14/01/2017 21:59

I'm sure some time to get used to it is necessary, so that makes sense.

Shriek · 14/01/2017 23:39

I never had one of these but my ddogs hate 'clothes' most recently as dpup was growing and learning togo in car had to use harness and it had this effect . Completely motionless even for a long time after,looking and behaving very depressed . It took me a long time to get each ddog to actually become relaxed with their car safety harnesses which do the same thing in wrapping round chest and over back. I was very upset and hated doing it to them and if I hadnt had to for reasonably priced safety I wouldnt have.

Shriek · 14/01/2017 23:41

My theory is it triggers the 'freeze' response as if being carried by mother in mouth as a dpup at times of risk

taptonaria27 · 15/01/2017 17:16

No noticeable effect here but I'm hoping it will help when I go out and leave him alone tomorrow

floopyloopy · 15/01/2017 18:28

I think it's a positive calm, not frightened. We're keeping our eyes open, but seems good.

Fishcakey · 15/01/2017 18:30

Our rescue Lab wears one for travel, fireworks etc. I love it! The difference is remarkable.

TatterdemalionAspie · 15/01/2017 18:50

I'm going to order one for our neurotic cocker, based on this thread!

TatterdemalionAspie · 15/01/2017 19:02

It'll be here tomorrow. The power of Amazon!

OhBlissOhJoy · 15/01/2017 19:18

It had no effect on mine at all Sad
I have a faulty dog.

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 15/01/2017 19:34

Off to measure dog.