We need to do something new to help our wound-up dog. Could using a Thundershirt help our dog stay calm, instead of stressing us out with his wild shrieking, Punk Rock impressions? Whenever anyone arrives at our door, Sydney sets our teeth grinding. We have to cover our ears.
Although we have tried many training methods and strategies to change this behavior, nothing has worked so far.
Sydney failed out of two previous homes and came to us, seven years ago, with a history of biting vets and groomers. Animal shelter workers nicknamed him “Sid Vicious” because he chewed on their fingers. This anxiety biting got him left alone, and neither of his previous homes taught him to behave or house trained him. Sydney would not let them brush him or look in his ears and mouth. He even bit us for a while.
Anxious dogs challenge their families and caregivers.
We tried oral medicine for vet visits, but those pills made him weirder not calmer. And we have trotted him into the vet’s office often, giving praise and treats for walking inside, so he knows our vet’s office well.
We love our high-energy mutt. He’s super in every way, except for his moments of fearful snapping or crazed-shouted greetings. Right now, Sydney needs to have his teeth examined, so a Thunder Shirt may offer a solution to let a vet look in his mouth without getting bitten.
Like with people, anxiety doesn’t just disappear. Anxious dogs can be trained, but training does not take way their worries and fears. They can become more secure in their families when they know the rules, and when they feel safe.
Dogs also need to be treated fairly. Yes, dogs do have a sense of fairness. Research studies show dogs notice when other dogs are rewarded more than they are and dogs that felt unfairly treated, stopped performing tasks.
Sydney’s temperament puts him right in the middle of dog personalities. He is confidant not aggressive. Being only fourteen pounds, Sydney notices big and aggressive dogs. His alert-quick reaction saved his life once as he ran from a prey driven dog that attacked Sid’s little buddy. Sydney’s buddy spent the night in a veterinary hospital from the bite of a dog ten times his size.
Real dangers exist from other dogs, from traffic and from people’s mistakes. Dogs know this. But when a dog cringes at the sound of a vacuum cleaner year after year, or hides when someone rings the doorbell, that dog needs help.
I started my search for a Thunder Shirt on the Internet, and then I called local pet shops. A major pet shop stocked them, but when I arrived I learned they didn’t carry an extra-small size to fit Sydney. Finally, I found Western Farm stocked shirts for small dogs. And to my delight their price was ten dollars under the major pet shop chain.
I will keep you posted on how Sydney does with his Thunder Shirt. I hope he is one of the 80% of dogs that receive benefit. What a welcome relief we all would enjoy, greeting people at our front door, and riding in a car with a quiet Sydney.
What makes your dog anxious?
What has worked to calm your dog’s anxiety?
Try this link for an excellent explanation on Thunder Shirt Anxiety Wraps and how they help anxious dogs. www.thundershirt.com The cool thing about this product, unlike many others, it comes guaranteed. Within 45 days, we can return it for a full refund.
For Europe try Anything Dogz http://www.anythingdogz.co.uk/dog-products/Thundershirt-/Thundershirt-Anxiety-Wrap-grey-Only-576.html
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