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Post by chantel on Aug 14, 2014 14:41:18 GMT
Hi Guys, once again i could really do with your help on Riley, most of you will know about his phobias with noise etc and anxiety issues.
I was wondering if anybody had tried out the thunder shirts, Riley was very stressed out last friday when we had the bad storm, the storm lasted for quite a few hours so you can imagine his stress levels and mine too. I have tried several things e.g - giving him his favourite toy/treats, tried to play with him to distract him but when he is freaked out he is not interested in anything even his evening meal which he normal scoffs down. He is still taking his sereme-um tablets which normaly help him with his day to day anxiety issues which do not sedate him, i don't really want to go down that road, we have sedatives from our vet for the fire works. When he hears the thunder he starts panting, drooling,climbing on thw furniture but most of all he climbs all over me and he isn't a light weight either. We have tried popping him in the cage we got when we first got him to try and make a den for him but he will not entertain it, he just wants to sit on me really. My main concern for him his if their was a storm whilst we was at work. Like today thunder was forcast for this afternoon, so i left the tv on in the lounge and the radio on in the kitchen just to try and block out the noise if possible.
Any way have any of you tried the thunder shirts ? Also are they something i could put on him whilst i was at work due to a storm. I don't really want to purchase one if they r not that great as they are quite expensive.
Thanks guys for reading Any advice would be really appreciated. P.S i could do with one for myself:-) :-)
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Post by scallywag on Aug 14, 2014 16:22:11 GMT
Hi Chantel I can relate to all that with Beau, he lets us know a storm is on its way, before it hits. He becomes clingy, and wants to sit by us. I just do as you , turn the music / TV up and not make a deal out of it. Fortunately for me I work from home. Sorry not much advice from me, but hope you find a solution xx
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Post by bextull on Aug 14, 2014 19:09:39 GMT
I don't have a thundershirt but if you are apprehensive about getting one because of the cost it may be worth having a look at a body wrap instead. They are much cheaper and work in the same way as a thundershirt - mekuti.co.uk/bodywraps.htm I have used a body wrap before (but it was just my scarf at the time as I wasn't expecting Oscar to react like he did), and I found that it helped a lot.
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Post by chantel on Aug 14, 2014 19:43:24 GMT
Thanks for your prompt reply Bextull, i tried the link but it wouldn't work, i will have a look on amazon. I will let you know the outcome.:-)
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Post by bextull on Aug 14, 2014 19:55:27 GMT
The link isn't working for me either. Hmmmm..... Here's the site, mekuti.co.uk/Just scroll down and you should see the body wraps. I hope that link works.
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Post by scallywag on Aug 14, 2014 20:21:52 GMT
The link isn't working for me either. Hmmmm..... Here's the site, mekuti.co.ukJust scroll down and you should see the body wraps. I hope that link works. Remove the https replace with the www. www.mekuti.co.uk.
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Post by tonib on Aug 14, 2014 22:24:34 GMT
the reason the original link doesn't work is that there is a space at the end of the actual link - it throws the browser - https is fine. However it doesn't really matter how you solve getting there, just thought I'd let you know in case anyone has similar problems in the future:) I know you'll be saying Toni's putting her techie head on again !!!
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Post by zahada on Aug 15, 2014 10:46:30 GMT
I haven't tried a thundershirt as never needed one. My dogs never had a problem until one of them got to about 14 years. Then she seem distressed. We solved the problem by letting her climb onto our laps and cuddling her. She would calm down very quickly.
You could try wiping Riley's fur with a an anti static sheet - the sort you'd put in the tumble dryer.
Also trying Zylkene instead of Serene-um to see if they have a better effect.
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Post by teegiebear on Aug 18, 2014 16:37:44 GMT
Fortunately I've never had these problems with my dogs but a friend I worked with said he mums dog was very bad with storms and fireworks and about 2/3months ago bought a thunder shirt for her dog and it's been fantastic for her. I think it will differ between dogs on what results you will get but if touch soothes Riley then maybe some sort of tight wrap may help. I'm sure I saw somewhere they have a money back guarantee?
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Post by zahada on Aug 18, 2014 18:01:39 GMT
Working on desensitising with 'storm'CDs should help. It could be a long process, but for me it's not the length of time but the results. And you can't do better than a happy,relaxed dog. And happy relaxed owner.
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Post by chantel on Aug 18, 2014 18:27:38 GMT
Fortunately I've never had these problems with my dogs but a friend I worked with said he mums dog was very bad with storms and fireworks and about 2/3months ago bought a thunder shirt for her dog and it's been fantastic for her. I think it will differ between dogs on what results you will get but if touch soothes Riley then maybe some sort of tight wrap may help. I'm sure I saw somewhere they have a money back guarantee?
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Post by chantel on Aug 18, 2014 18:30:32 GMT
Thanks i was thinking about a body wrap, riley won't sit with anybody but me or should i say he won't sit on anybody but me. Time for some more research i think.x
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Post by zahada on Aug 18, 2014 18:34:15 GMT
Don't be afraid to do what feels right for you and Riley. Experiment, you have nothing to lose except fear. Riley's and yours.
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Post by teegiebear on Aug 18, 2014 20:03:36 GMT
Great advice above!
Might be worth getting a hold of a storm and firework cd and playing it at volume 1 and you not reacting to it and after Riley doesn't react gradually increase it. Its difficult since he will pick up on your vibes but if you don't fuss over him when there's noise he may learn there is nothing to be worried about, it will take a while but for a short time in very low volumes every day or so and you should make good origress
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Post by charlottte on Aug 19, 2014 6:30:48 GMT
I used a Thundershirt when Jasper was in kennels at college He seemed to be able to chill out but he still wasn't 100%
I also used DAP spray and he was surrounded by other dogs that were used to being kennelled so there wasn't a massive overall stressy environment.
I do feel it helped a little bit and if he's having a bit of a stress on when doors slam in the house etc then I'll put it on him and he seems to chill out a bit.
Have you tried DAP or Pet Remedy plug ins?
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