Yes, Thundershirts work for many dogs by applying gentle, constant pressure (like swaddling an infant) to calm anxiety from storms, fireworks, separation, or travel, with high success rates reported by vets, trainers, and owners, though they aren't a cure-all and need proper introduction. They're a drug-free tool that can reduce heart rates and stress hormones, offering a natural calming effect for various fear-based issues.
With its patented design, Thundershirt's gentle, constant pressure has a dramatic calming effect for most dogs if they are anxious, fearful or overexcited. Based on surveys completed by over two thousand customers, over 80% of dogs show significant improvement in symptoms when using Thundershirt.
Veterinarians and dog trainers frequently recommend this drug-free option for dogs that suffer from separation anxiety, fear of loud noises (hence the name ThunderShirt), and travel anxiety. In fact, any dog suffering. from anxiety or nervousness could benefit from this device.
Many owners see reductions or complete elimination of symptoms with the very first use. With others, it may take two or three usages of ThunderShirt to see results.
The dog can wear his or her thundershirt all day if necessary. It is not harmful to your pet. To avoid irritation, it is recommended to remove the thundershirt for about 10 minutes every 1 to 2 hours. If the dog's size is appropriate, he or she should be comfortable for extended periods of time.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
There are several brands of anxiety wraps, including The Original Anxiety Wrap®, ThunderShirt® (pictured right), Mellow Shirt®, Surgi-Snuggly®, and Calm Coat®.
Can a dog sleep in a thundershirt? If required, your dog can sleep in their Thundershirt.
The cone needs to stay on until their wound has fully healed or the sutures are removed. This usually means somewhere between 10 and 14 days. While it may be tempting to slip the collar off a little early, we all know that the itchiest part of a healing scab is the final stages.
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
Remember any punishment — yelling, jerking the leash, grabbing your dog, or saying no — increases their anxiety level. Correcting a dog for growling or barking may prevent them from growling or barking in the future. Growling and barking are warning signs that the dog may bite.
Thunder phobia is most likely to occur in Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Huskys and any mixes of these breeds. Most of the time it becomes a serious problem when the dog is a little older, five years and up.
Some of the most common medications for anxiety in dogs include:
Dog sweaters can do more than keep your pet warm, they can also provide gentle pressure. This pressure can help calm an anxious dog. When a dog wears clothes, it can feel like a constant, gentle hug. This feeling of security can help reduce anxiety.
Leaving the E collar on at all times is the best way to get your pet used to it. If you feel bad for your pet and take the cone off, then put it back on when you leave, your pet may take it as a punishment and may try to destroy it. Patients can eat, drink, pee, poop, and sleep with a cone on.
Soft E-Collars, or soft Elizabethan collars, are a gentler alternative to the traditional rigid plastic cones. They are designed to serve the same purpose — preventing dogs from licking or biting wounds or surgical sites — but are made from softer materials like fabric or foam.
Make sure that their water is in a very accessible space, away from cabinets or walls that might prevent your dog from being able to drink freely when they want while wearing a cone. And if your dog typically sleeps in a kennel, guiding them in and out may help prevent them from getting stuck in a tough position.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
How to stop your dog waking you up early in the morning
ThunderShirt® is the original, vet recommended calming solution that helps reduce anxiety in dogs in a drug-free way. Like swaddling an infant, our dog anxiety vest's patented† design applies gentle, constant pressure to calm many types of anxiety and fear issues in dogs.
Provide background noise
Switch the TV or radio on to something soothing, like calming music or a talking station. This provides some quiet background noise to keep your dog company. It can also muffle the early sounds of a storm.
The "two-finger collar rule" is a simple guideline for fitting a dog's collar: you should be able to comfortably slip two fingers between the collar and your dog's neck, ensuring it's snug enough not to slip off but loose enough to prevent choking or discomfort. This balance is crucial for safety, preventing the collar from being too tight (causing breathing issues) or too loose (allowing the dog to escape).
The “cone of shame” is obnoxious, humiliating and completely necessary in most cases. Even with the cone on, however, pets can develop complications in their surgical wounds that require follow-up care by their veterinarian.