We’ve had rain here and there since the last time I reviewed the ThundershirtTM, and Nala wore the shirt each and every time. But this past Tuesday I saw the worst shaking during an afternoon thunderstorm…
Before I share my latest review, I wanted to give you an update on the ant situation in my yard. After almost 2 weeks of using a combination of Bug B Gone granules by Ortho to kill the entire colony, and spraying bug sprays to kill temporarily, I am glad to announce that there have been no ants sited in at least a week! Yay! I am so happy to have my entire yard back — how I missed running around my pool.
To anyone battling ant problems, I suggest you don’t give up! My mommy kept at it, even when it seemed like even the granules wouldn’t work. It was hard keeping Nala and me away from the one side of the yard (many times we had to go outside on leashes), but we won (for now)!
Now for my latest ThundershirtTM review…
This past Tuesday we had an afternoon thunderstorm. The thunder was very loud, and there was some rain, but that didn’t matter to Nala. To her, any amount of thunder and rain throws her into a fit of panic.
As soon as the first sound of thunder struck, mommy put the ThundershirtTM on Nala.
First Nala paced the floor back and forth, from the kitchen, to the living room, to the bedroom, and back. Then she went over to mommy and sat on the floor next to her. Mommy pet her for a few minutes, then Nala went to go sit next to Taylor nearby. Neither of them made Nala feel any better.
Nala was shaking so much during this latest storm.
We took a video of her shaking — it was the worst yet!
Poor Nala — I wish there was something I could do.
She sat next to Taylor, but only for a few minutes.
That didn’t seem to help calm her.
During the storm, I was fine. The noise doesn’t really bother me.
A mango falling from the tree onto our roof bothers me more!
Then Nala got up and came in my direction. I thought she wanted
to sit next to me, but she was only pacing.
She went back to sit near Taylor.
Taylor tried to hold her, but Nala just wanted to sit close to her.
After Taylor held Nala for a while, she went to mommy, who picked her up and held her until the storm died down. She still shook (though not as much), and she still drooled, but mommy didn’t put her down. When the storm finally ended, Nala was very, very happy.
Pick me up, mommy? Eh, for some reason, that doesn’t work anymore…
After this latest storm and viewing Nala’s reaction, I have come to the conclusion that the shirt just doesn’t work for Nala. She’s just a nervous doggie and the shirt alone isn’t something that can help her. I know it must work for some doggies, ’cause there are so many people posting positive comments on the ThundershirtTM Facebook page. For Nala, though, the ThundershirtTM is just a shirt that helps keep a lot of Nala’s fur off of mommy when she holds her during a thunderstorm.
Just two nights ago, there was a review of the ThundershirtTM on one of the television news stations. Mommy and I watched with interest to see how well it helped other doggies. It turns out, that their review of the shirt was half and half. They said pretty much what I’ve been saying in my previous reviews — that the shirt works more for some doggies than for others. And sometimes the ThundershirtTM needs to work along side something else, like treats, or sweet talking, etc.
They also had some doggie doctors on, and they said that whatever you do, you don’t want to hold your nervous doggie. They said that they’ll feel rewarded and think that they’re supposed to act all nervous during a thunderstorm. Mommy and I still don’t agree with that, ’cause we’ve tried ignoring Nala’s nervous behavior many, many times, and that doesn’t help one bit. Besides… could you sit there and watch your doggie have a panic attack and not hold her?
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.
Happy Thursday 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*
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Bummer that the Thundershirt didn’t work for Nala! I just ordered one to try for Bella… I hope it works. If not, I’m at a bit of a loss as to what I’ll try next.
Really the best thing that has worked so far for Nala, is mommy holding her. She still shakes and breathes fast, but I think she feels the most safe in her arms. ๐
It’s too bad that the thundershirt didn’t help Nala. They do seem to work well for other dogs, but just unfortunately not so much for others.
Poor Nala …hope there are no more storms for awhile.
Your pal, Pip
Poor Nala! I am glad that you hold her and she feels the safety of your arms and can hear you soothing beating heart even if she still shakes. Have you tried any of the herbal stress-reduction chews (like Compose from Vetri-Science or Calming from Pet Naturals of Vermont)? They won’t eliminate her fear but maybe take her down a notch so the shaking isn’t so horrible.
Glad the ant problem has been solved.
Good news on the ants, Bailey.
We are sorry the shirt didn’t work for Nala. We have heard that it isn’t for all pups. Maybe you can try what we did with Ciara – give Nala a really yummy treat with each boom. This might make her associate the noise with something positive. Just a thought.
Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
I really like the photographs. Your mom is very talented!
I’m sorry it didn’t work. We are still on the fence. Mommy is still tired after staying up through the last storm listening to our storm music and was hoping for something easier.
I’ve read about the thundershirt before. Seems like it does help some doggies through the thunder, although we haven’t tried it ourselves.
Have you tried putting her in a crate with some of her toys? Eva goes into her crate as a safety place when it is thundering too hard.
Nala’s never, ever been in a crate (I don’t know how she manages! I LOVE my crate sometimes. :)). Really the only place Nala wants to be when it’s thundering, is with mommy. But mommy isn’t always around when it storms. ๐
Thanks for your review of the thundershirt! I am hestitating in buy one yet for Holly because so far, during storms, she doesn’t get too upset. My last dog, Alex, was so afraid of thunder and rain, he would almost go into seizures. I would hold him and he would be shaking so bad it was scary. I am hoping that Holly doesn’t get like he was with the storms. I’ll check out your other website!!! Lots of love, Debbie & Holly
Woof! Woof! YES! we also got lots of lots of Thunderstorms … its a bit unpredictable exactly when its coming so as much as mom would like to purchase the thundershirt we are a b t hesitant. The canine calm balm she’s using seems to be working. .
YES for nervous dogs not to be bothered but being/seeing your family around you helps a lot. Happy FRIDAY! Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
Glad you guys are so caring for Nala. I agree. It is tough to just do nothing when puppies are scared. Hope you can find something that will help her!!!
Puppy Kisses,
Tanner
I really disagree with the belief that comforting dog reinforces the fear. If you are afraid of something and someone comforts you, do you feel reinforced?
Patricia McConnell has an excellent article where she explains that comforting and reinforcing scared dogs is fine. She describes giving treats to her dog during a thunderstorm in order to distract her from her fear and provide her with a positive association for thunderstorms
http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/thunderstorm-phobia-in-dogs.html
Mommy has given Nala ‘thunder cookies’ before, and that did seem to work, but she’s not always around to do it. And once she stops giving her treats, she goes back to being very nervous again. ๐
It’s too bad that didn’t work for Nala, it’s awful being so scared.