{thundershirt}
I'd read about the Thundershirt but I'm cheap and skeptical so I waited three weeks before the lack of sleep broke me down and I finally ordered one. It is a game changer for us, guys. We followed the instructions carefully, introducing Circe to it with a short wear and a few treats. She seemed more bemused than anything. But the first night she wore it she slept like a log. Barely any movement, no growling, no barking. We kept checking to make sure she was still breathing. We've only been using it for a week, but so far it's amazing. We put it on her every night when it's time to go to bed and if we're going to leave her alone for a few hours during the day we'll put her down for a nap with it. She's still adjusting to it a little bit, and she seems uncertain about walking much in it (maybe because we only put her in it for bed?) but she doesn't mind it.
I guess it's equivalent to swaddling a baby? Side bonus - I find it really fun to "unwrap" her in the morning. She completely comatose in the shirt, then she wakes up and perks up immediately once you take it off.
I researched it obsessively before purchasing, so I can tell you that it seems to work for some dogs and not others. However, since they offer a money back guarantee (as long as you don't get it embroidered!) it's definitely worth a shot. Circe is 22 pounds of compact muscle and the medium fits her well. You can order them directly from the manufacturer or on Amazon and I think some pet stores carry them as well.
{circe girl}
It seems silly to have to say this, because I've never done a sponsored post, but I purchased the Thundershirt on my own and the company has no idea who I am.
I wrote a Thundershirt post as well! Like you, I also researched it a ton because I couldn't quite get over the high price tag for a little shirt, but I am so glad that we bought it. Our dog, Henry, was such an anxious mess when out on walks that we felt bad even taking him on one. Once we got this shirt, the change was almost immediate. He started strutting his stuff :) I am so happy to hear that it is working wonders for Circe, too!
ReplyDeleteOh, poor little guy! Glad it worked for you too! It's so funny how they react differently. I can barely get Circe to walk to her water dish when she's wearing her shirt, so I know I'd never get her out the door of the house. But she's only anxious when sleeping or alone, so it's fine. We're probably to blame for only putting it on her when she sleeps (I call them her pajamas, because I'm a super dorky dog person now).
DeleteI mentioned the Thundershirt in my blog this week, too! I use it for my anxious, reactive Jack Russell/Border Collie mix when we travel in the car, and it really seems to help her.
ReplyDeleteI always love your Circe posts - I used to have two dogs named after goddesses :)
Oh, good! It's amazing how it can help soothe them!
DeleteAwww ... goddess names are good ones, right?
Although I should also note that everyone now assumes Circe is named after Cersei from Game of Thrones ...
DeleteI got the Thundershirt for my parents dog when I was doggy sitting (they went to India for 15 days!) and the dog was an anxious mess and I a zombie (lack of sleep)! It does calm him down, but not the point of being comatose (I wish!), but it does help. He is a pitbull/boxer mix and about 55 lbs... it is funny to see such a large dog be so scared of a little noise! Garbage trucks are a nightmare! Glad it worked out for you!
ReplyDeleteOh, that is so sad! My parents had a chow with serious attachment issues and the last time I dog sat her I was basically crying in exhaustion all night because I was so tired and I couldn't get her to stop barking at nothing. I'll admit I broke down and went to the vet for sedatives after the first three days because I knew I wouldn't last another week. I'm weak.
DeleteI am so happy that the Thundershirt worked out well for you! It's true that it works like a charm for some dogs and then not-at-all for others, which our dog fell into the latter half. He had some serious separation anxiety as well as reactivity and the shirt just never seemed to improve the situation (but he was a pretty extreme case of several behaviors). I still recommend it as a possible step to dog owners who are having issues, especially knowing you can return the shirt if it's not effective for your pup. There are so many strategies to take with anxious dogs that sometimes you have to cast about for a long time before you strike one that works. I'm glad that you found something pretty quickly and now you can get full nights of sleep again!
ReplyDeleteBummer! I read so many mixed reviews and I was practically keeping my fingers crossed the first few nights we used the shirt because I wanted it to work so badly. Wish your pup had been one of the ones it was good for! I'm not sure what our next step would have been but I know it would have been a lot more effort than this. Good luck!
DeleteI love when dogs appear 'bemused'. Their expressions are priceless! She's a real cutie, glad to hear you're all sleeping better now :-)
ReplyDeleteI love your comment at the bottom. It's so refreshing to read a non-sponsored post! Also, she is a very cute doggie.
ReplyDeleteDoes she go to dog-daycare when you guys are at work? We never had a dog growing up (bummer!) and I'm obsessed now, but want to wait until we're out of apartments/moving around, it's so much responsibility!
ReplyDeleteWe are super lucky because D is in a dog friendly office so he can take her to work. Makes it so much easier! Although since she's older (almost 9 years) she sleeps A LOT and she'd probably be fine at home alone as long as someone came by in the middle of the day to take her out for a quick walk. But I would feel guilty if she was alone all day, so I'm really grateful we don't have to do it that way.
DeleteBut yes, it is so much easier if you aren't in an apartment! We always had dogs growing up and in a house it's much less difficult to manage. Our dogs could be left alone for a full day and night without it being an issue because we had a dog door and a large yard and they could come and go and keep each other company. Now that we're in an apartment we try to take Circe out at least four times a day and we make sure at least one of those walks is a longer one (at least two miles) to ensure she gets enough exercise.
She is pretty undemanding, since she's older, but it's still a lot of work and juggling schedules!
My dog loves her Thundershirt! She needs it when it gets seriously windy.
ReplyDeleteBy the by, have you seen this video? Cats + Thundershirts = entertainment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOcfS7xwVfY
I truly thought this shirt was a farce, but I was desperate enough to use it. It has been an amazing adjustment for my cat upon introducing to to my two dogs!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this! I've been looking into getting one as well and (like you said) didn't want to spend the money but I think I need to give in!
ReplyDeleteJust do it and then return it if it doesn't work for you! I wish I'd given in sooner, since the risk is so minimal (I think you have to pay to ship it back, but that's not so bad).
DeleteDoes it work on kids?
ReplyDeleteAnd as always, I LOVE that damn dog.
Are you allowed to swaddle toddlers? Maybe this is a business idea just waiting to happen. But I have no idea how kids work. Dogs are so much simpler.
DeleteI love your blog! You inspire me to do more projects and best of all budget which makes my husband oh so happy!
ReplyDeleteI need one of these for my toddler! He's always wanted me close by, and I had to hold him constantly as a baby.
ReplyDelete