On the 4th of July, it rained during the day. Not only did it rain, it thundered…
And you know what that means… it means a nervous Nala!
If you have a mobile device where you can download apps, and would like to track thunderstorms, don’t miss the end of this post. π
It also meant that Nala and I couldn’t play outside.
Mommy turned over my pool, ’cause it was overflowing from all the rain and
dirt I had brought into it while playing. Look below for another photo. π
Nala is also scared of the falling rain.
This is one of Nala’s usual spots — smack dab in the middle of the hallway.
If she isn’t pacing the floor, she could be standing there for a while.
She isn’t picky though. If you get up, she’ll follow you
and stand right near you… like a statue.
Here she is in one of her favorite spots — under Taylor’s desk.
So… did the ThundershirtTM work for Nala during this midday thunderstorm? Not really. π She shook, hyperventilated, and followed mommy and Taylor around the house… typical Nala panic attack. Mommy was able to distract her a little bit with some treats, but like I mentioned before, once mommy stops the distraction, Nala goes back to her usual panicky self.
At one point, Nala was so scared of the thunder, that she asked to go up on mommy’s lap. She only wants to do this when she’s really scared. Once she was up in mommy’s lap, she was still breathing fast. At that time, all the ThundershirtTM did was keep a lot of fur off of mommy.
Mommy used to believe the theory that if you cuddle a doggie when she’s scared, that would be rewarding a good behavior. But mommy has tried it both ways — ignoring her and cuddling, and she does not believe that Nala will think that being scared is a good behavior. Mommy says that she doesn’t want to start a debate about it, because everyone has their own opinions about how they raise their doggies. She says it’s a lot like raising a child. I wouldn’t know one thing about that, but I do think everyone needs to find what works for them, and then keep at it.
When the fireworks started at night, Nala wore her shirt again. It was the 5th time she wore it. Did it work for her? I think it did, a little bit. I really don’t have anything to compare it to, since I wasn’t around the last time there were fireworks going off in the neighborhood. But mommy said that Nala appeared to be a little more relaxed, and she didn’t shake. Well, she got a little shaky whenever those big BOOM fireworks went off, but even mommy and I shook with those!
I still think we’re headed in a positive direction with the ThundershirtTM. I’m not going to give up yet, ’cause sometimes things just take time. It’s like when I keep wishing for more cookies… sooner or later mommy’s gonna give us some. Usually it’s ’cause she can’t resist my cuteness. I never give up. π
If you have a mobile device or iPad where you can download apps, you should check out the following free app that tells you how far away a thunderstorm is. All you have to do is click the Lightning button when you see lightning, and then click the Thunder button when you hear the thunder.
This app is called: Thunder Clap.
Remember the picture of my pool above? The one that showed my pool turned over? Well, it seems that even turned over, my pool gets filled!
How do you keep water out of a pool?
Keep it on the patio when you’re not using it! π
If you’d like to try a ThundershirtTM for your doggie, you can click here to purchase your own.
Click here for more ThundershirtTM reviews.
Countdown:
Blasting off into space: today at 11:26am EST!
Happy Friday woofs & hugs!
~Bailey (Yep, I’m a girl)
P.S… If you’re a human who blogs about your furry, or a furry who blogs about your human… or even a furry who blogs about your life… I invite you to follow me via Google Friend Connect (see box in the right-hand column –>), and join me on Facebook. Please let me know you’ve visited — I love reading other blogs and making new friends. <3
*Extra Woofies*
For the word verification below: If you are on a computer (desktop or laptop), all you have to do is drag the image that it tells you to, from the left to the right image. If you are using anything other than a computer (like an iPad, iPhone, or other mobile device), you just need to click on the correct matching image on the left (it will tell you). The image will then automatically appear over the image on the right. Don’t forget I have to personally approve your comment, so it won’t show up right away. π
I have no association with the company mentioned in the above review, but I am an affiliate. Mommy purchased this product with her own money, and Nala and I are giving our honest doggie opinions.
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Oh sweet Nala, it’s awful being so scared of something you can’t do anything about.
As Tucker has grown older, he gets more anxious during thunderstorms (and fireworks). He and Nala would make quite a pair together. So far, I’m disappointed the Thundershirt and how it’s working (and not working) for Nala. Okay, I admit that I was hoping for a dramatic difference. Sigh…
Thank you for giving such a great multiuse, multievent review of the thundershirt. Poor Nala really seems to have as hard a time as YoYoMa does so we have been following her reactions with interest. Yo has the added disability of being blind. I guess based on your experiences I am not very convinced it will work any better than his hiding behind my legs pressed against me as I speak softly and cuddle his face.. We will wait and see your final verdict.
Awww, you’re so welcome!! I am determined to try and make this thing work! Well, I’ll give it my all, anyway. Another follow-up review is set for next week. π
Poor Nala! Maybe she’s just even more afraid of thunderstorms than of fireworks. Has your mum tried one of those thunderstorm desensitisation CDs? If Nala’s afraid of the sound of thunder, rather than the feel of it, it might help going through a program with that!
I’m glad the Tshirt helped a little with the fireworks though!
We are so sorry that Nala gets so scared of the thunder and fireworks. Holly is getting that way as she gets older. My last dog,Alex, was very scared of both and would shake like he was having seizures. The worst part would be that he thought he could run from the noise and if given the least little opportunity to bolt out the door,he did and would be gone for hours with me riding the streets in tears trying to find him. I haven’t tried the thundershirt yet but might if Holly gets worse. Thanks for the info for the app!! Lots of love, Debbie & Holly
Have you thought about wrapping the Thundershirt a little tighter? Maybe you might see a difference.
I’ll tell mommy to try that, but I think she’s wrapping it as tight as it can be, without being uncomfortable. π
Phantom used to be bothered by fireworks but he seems to have outgrown that. He is still bothered by t-storms but it is usually BEFORE the storm arrives. Ciara went through a short period of anxiety this spring with the storms. Mom gave her yummy treats with each loud boom. Otherwise we didn’t pay a lot of attention to her. She seems OK with the storms now. Everyone has to do what they think works best for your own pup. We have seen the thundershirt work well for many dogs and not at all for others. Who knows? You just have to do the best you can.
Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
Hmmm w
Mom was thinking about getting that shirt for Lily. We heard it doesn’t work that great. Thanks for the review
Benny & Lily
There was an excellent episode on the “Dog Whisperer” where he helped a dog that had come back from Iraq. The dog was a sniffer dog for finding land mines and was suffering post traumatic stress. HE was terrified of loud noises like thunder and firecrackers – and they helped desensitize him. It was truly amazing what they did to help this dog get back to normal – you might want to see if you can find that episode.
Poor Nala. Thankfully none of our dogs are scared of thunder. Do you know what made her scaed?
hey Bailey,
Sorry to read that Nala is still petrified of thunderstorms. But glad that the Thundershirt at least helped a little during the fireworks. I think your mom is right, perhaps in time it will start having more of an effect. Paws crossed! No one likes to see a pup so frightened, but especially when it is your own sisfur.
Bailey, I don’t think any human would be able to resist your cuteness! :->
Suka
So sorry that Nala was so scared of the storm and the fireworks. I had a dog once that was like that. None of my dogs are scared of either, so I don’t know that much about the Thundershirt, but I wish you the best. Just keep trying what will work for you and Nala. I too have tried both methods of ignore and comfort. All I know is that when I am really scared I like to comforted and that’s what I find works for the dogs. It works both ways for us. π Have a happy day!