Anxiety Vest for Dogs - Especially for Thunderstorms and Fireworks!
How to Make Your Own Anxiety Thunder Shirt You can purchase these online or you can quickly make your own and see if this works for your pooch. If you have some older t-shirts around or get a few at the thrift shop just for your dog and in this video he used a chip bag clip to make it snug.
My best pal Sasha, (pictured in header above) as a puppy, didn't give a hoot about loud noises or thunderstorms, she would race to the window and look with curiosity!
But as she aged, it slowly became apparent that these loud noises and bright lightening were not something she cared for. In the beginning she would simply lay still with her ears down and look frightened, but in later years she actually became dangerous to herself.
She would try to get away from the storm or noise, even a simple loud noise on the TV would set her off into uncontrollable panting, and this panicked need to go under the couch where she could not fit, or try and scratch a closet door open or run down the basement stairs which was a pain because she couldn't get back up on her own. At 65 pounds this became an issue.
The idea is, that if you create a "snugness" they will feel calmer, and it seems to work! You can purchase these calming vests online if you don't want to make your own.
If your dog has got worse as he has got older, then investing in one of these vests would be worth a try. I found simply snuggling Sasha helped without any words, just snuggling her, but this is not always possible so wearing something can help. These "thundershirts" for dogs have good reviews, and many dog owners are totally happy with them, obviously get one that fits well, it can't be loose for it to work. This is perfect for those days at work with your dog home alone. If you see in the forecast there is to be bad weather, put the vest on before you leave, this can save on destruction in your house! Check out the review at bottom of page.
How Does it Work?
No one is quite sure of the actual mechanics of it all, but the belief is that these shirts put pressure on parts of the dog that generate fear. I was amazed at the review on Thundershirts as you can see in the video below.
If your dog, like mine, has got worse with age, and they drive you nuts with their constant pacing and panting and worse, then it is nice to see there are other things than drugs. We resorted to drugs, but really in my case, my dog just wanted someones arms wrapped around her, but a vest is certainly a good idea.
You can also purchase Rescue Remedy.. These are natural stress relief drops that can help along with the vest or shirt. These do work but you must give them to your dog before the real stress starts. They are better, I find, at preventing full blown panic attacks if given early. If you know there is going to be a storm or an event, then give them the drops and put on the shirt ahead of it if possible.
You should try and get it on your dog before the storm approaches the best you can. But check out the news review below and see if this won't give you some peace and quiet on those stormy nights. Listen for the forecast and then get the vest on your dog, even if it means just before bed. Being woken up by a storm is one thing but to be woken up by a freaking out dog is another!
Comfort and calm is the name of the game for our older pooches!