I’ve heard those Thundershirts work really well for some dogs too Joyce. It’s interesting; Vince’s really likes his “lab” vest too. Just the right snugness, he’s super relaxed in it.

Here’s a quick wrap I did just as he got home. He’s shedding something fierce so don’t mind his raggedness.

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/VinceTWrap012.jpg

ok, well that wasn't at all how i was picturing it...lol

I was picturing having to wrap his whole chest then down his rib cage...more of a mummy type wrap.

I had no idea it was like that, it looks alot less complicated than i thought.

I will definately start easing him into that so that we're prepared for the next fireworks weekend. It used to be fireworks were just one night, now with people setting off their own they seem to think it should be every night!

 Quote: Tracy Collins

You might also try the Bach Rescue Remedy. Some folks swear by it, others say it's voodoo.

I gave BRR to my feral dog twice for two car trips, and after that she never needed another drop. After the second car trip the vomiting stopped, the shaking stopped, the drooling stopped, and she even timidly poked her nose out of the window when we were stopped. A few days later she was 100% braver, was throwing herself into the vehicle and pouting if we didn't immediately drive off, would get excited about seeing me grab my keys.

The only thing I did was give her the BRR and put her in a car. No training, no talking, no treats, no nothing except some herbal stuff and a ride around the block.

 Quote: CJ Barrett

I’ve heard those Thundershirts work really well for some dogs too Joyce. It’s interesting; Vince’s really likes his “lab” vest too. Just the right snugness, he’s super relaxed in it.

Here’s a quick wrap I did just as he got home. He’s shedding something fierce so don’t mind his raggedness.

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/VinceTWrap012.jpg

Sorry for dragging this out of the basement. I am having trouble with my dog reacting to thunderstorms. I'm not home yet, but I should be in a few weeks, and I want to be ready to help him out.

How tight is this wrap? I know that's a tough thing to describe LOL

David, that particular wrap is not tight at all. And from what my girlfriend says, the knot on the butt, right above the tail area has some impact too, just like the hug - a sensory type area or something. I should get her to write something up because I really can't explain the pressure points like she does.

But to be quite honest, I find him just as relaxed in his vest. It's neoprene and kind of stretchy, hugs him like a glove and super easy to slap on. Here's a bunch of needless pictures with him in it:

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/PropertyNov202010028.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/PropertyNov202010025.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/PropertyNov202010015.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/PropertyNov202010031.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/PropertyNov202010038.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/PropertyNov202010012.jpg

With the wrap though, you want to try and get it perfected before you ever need it. Again, it's really loose, just kind of lying in position. It shouldn’t be sagging, just tight enough to hug the fur.

That picture's not really a great example, I just slapped in on quickly to give an idea of how I was shown to do it. I see I criss crossed over his wee wee there, it should be just ahead a bit.

Personally, like a few mentioned previously, and highlighted in this post:

 Quote: Cindy Shepard

Maybe the actual technique doesn't matter much . . . my dog is also way calmer and focused simply when wearing any kind of clothes, t-shirts raincoats, pack vest. I think it's a combination of feeling "hugged" plus that she feels she has a "job" to do while we are on walks and she is wearing something.

I'm sure almost anything will do. I also find that the calm leadership and distractions you provide during these times has the biggest impact.

Good luck with your pup. Not a fun thing for them to go through.

 Quote: CJ Barrett

I'm sure almost anything will do. I also find that the calm leadership and distractions you provide during these times has the biggest impact.

Good luck with your pup. Not a fun thing for them to go through.

Thanks CJ!

I'm going to do some de-sensitizing with the stereo and get this wrap down. Pam (wife) says he has been getting worse, so I want to be ready when I get home. I may get a neoprene vest for him too.

OT: What is the purpose of that vest? Just protection? I see no D-Rings or anything on it. Nice looking boy you got there. I like his eyes. He looks like a friendly fella.

Thanks again CJ

The vest was originally purchased for my husky with cushings. His coat was so bad with an inability to shed (regulate his body properly) the vet recommended that I shave him one hot summer.

I know, sounds terrible, and something I would never do to a healthy dog and would never have thought about it without the vet's recommendation. As the vet also explained, his coat didn't grow back completely. I needed a coat/vest for the winter.

Being blonde, I bought my husky a lab/bird dog hunting vest. It was the warmest, practical one I could find. I'm sure it's for retrieving in those icy ponds. It comes with very thin floatation packs slid into slots on the sides.

It was just a tad tight in his chest/barrel area, but I actually really like it and it fits my, ever so slightly, more slender shepherd perfectly.

I have absolutely no use for this particular vest. The petsmartian answer - I think he looks cute in it.

And I love the fact that you think he looks like a "friendly fella". Music to my ears but those are two words that have never been used in conjunction with this boy. He's a sharp, fear biter that came to me with an arsenal of issues, thunderstorms being one of them. Three years of desensitizing and exposure to the outside world have him at an easily managed level.

I don't know that "friendly" will ever be one of his descriptors but I'm working hard to add "predictably neutral" to his bag of tricks. An incredible companion in every other way.

Good luck with the tapes. I think they can add value for the "unexpected noise" factor but there's something very environmentally specific they go thru with storms. Remaining completely neutral myself while teaching him to enjoy the experience is where I've had some really good results. He's got some incredible prey drive though and not much trumps his ball but it was a slow process at first getting him to run with the "shakes".

A tough one because we're human too and you're really at the mercy of the storms.