The Thunder Shirt does the trick for calming an anxious dog

My friend has a wonderful, loyal dog  - Beatrice - who is kind of a nervous Nellie. She literally guards my friend - her owner - and can be perceived as somewhat aggressive (when she is really anxious) to any non-family member who enters the house or approaches my friend. Beatrice is a barker and bark she does when she is guarding her territory. My friend has had a training expert come to her home on a regular basis and work with her and Beatrice and she has made great strides in training - and calming - her down. One interesting training tip she learned is that Beatrice not only needs regular exercise, but she needs to feel as if she is working, so when they walk, she should carry a pack (obviously a special dog pack, not a child’s back pack). One purchase that she swears by is this Thunder Shirt for dogs. It claims to “apply a gentle, constant pressure that has a dramatic calming effect for over 80% of dogs.”

Whatever it does, it works. We were having dinner recently and Beatrice was on edge so out came the Thunder Shirt and she definitely settled down. I imagine it’s like receiving a constant hug and I know I could use that some days. Plus it’s kind of jaunty and stylish. I think it would also be handy around the 4th of July, parties, and other chaotic events. The price is right - $39.95 at thundershirt.com.

Have you used a Thunder Shirt for your dog or cat? Share your stories here.