This might be a cheap thundershirt alternative.

meritaten

While I agree that dogs DO pick up nervousness from an owner, I fully accept that there will be SOME dogs who are 'bundles of nerves or really terrified' of fireworks. I have been extremely lucky in that none of the pets I have had have reacted to fireworks - except the staffy, who loved them.
I do think its a bit patronising to blame 'overanxious' owners for the animals reactions. it must be awful to have a pet you just cannot calm when fireworks are going off - for what seems like year round 'festivities'!
could people just stick to just offering 'solutions'? instead of smugly stating that THEIR pets aren't bothered at all? its really beginning to annoy me now!

pawsies

Cheapest thundershirt is a kids t-shirt.

As for reinforcing fear that is not true.

http://eileenanddogs.com/2014/06/28/reinforce-dogs-fears/

Feral_Moon

I was offering a solution. One which was taught to me by several trainers and appears not only to work for my dogs but also others that come along to the training classes. I accept some people might have problems with older dogs, especially those they've not had from pups as they have no idea whether the pups were adequately socialised or not. But I still think wrapping dogs up in "thunder shirts" still emits a level of unnecessary anxiety based on my experience of someone I know who uses one. When the dog stayed with me for a weekend she had a completely different reaction to that with her owner during a thunderstorm.

Raksha

The Ttouch body wrap may also help -
http://www.crvetcenter.com/ttouch.php

meritaten

Feral_Moon wrote: »

I was offering a solution. One which was taught to me by several trainers and appears not only to work for my dogs but also others that come along to the training classes. I accept some people might have problems with older dogs, especially those they've not had from pups as they have no idea whether the pups were adequately socialised or not. But I still think wrapping dogs up in "thunder shirts" still emits a level of unnecessary anxiety based on my experience of someone I know who uses one. When the dog stayed with me for a weekend she had a completely different reaction to that with her owner during a thunderstorm.

in which case you are probably right in the 'owner anxiety' theory for that dog. I didn't mean my post personally btw - but this comes up every year and so many people post 'its the owner not the dog/cat'! I was hoping to nip it in the bud!

pawsies

Feral_Moon wrote: »

I was offering a solution. One which was taught to me by several trainers and appears not only to work for my dogs but also others that come along to the training classes. I accept some people might have problems with older dogs, especially those they've not had from pups as they have no idea whether the pups were adequately socialised or not. But I still think wrapping dogs up in "thunder shirts" still emits a level of unnecessary anxiety based on my experience of someone I know who uses one. When the dog stayed with me for a weekend she had a completely different reaction to that with her owner during a thunderstorm.

Yes but you cannot assume that the anxiety was because the owner was reassuring it. The dog was in a different environment with you, different triggers and more distractions at yours. Dogs are so hypersensitive and can sense things we can't- maybe the dog could tell the distance of the thunderstorm, pressures etc.

pawsies

My favourite analogy is if a burglar broke into your home you'd be so scared, you might panic whenever you see the outside light turn on, you might continuously check the door is locked, ensure the alarm worked etc.

Then your mum comes in and offers you tea and biscuits. Does the tea and biscuits reinforce your anxiety?

No.

It is irrelevant and the same is true of dogs. They can be so worked up over something and giving treats is a way of changing the mind from involuntary emotions to voluntary behaviours.