Wednesday, June 27, 2012

PROBLEM BARKING


*The money back guarantee is not applicable in Malaysia

Thundershirt is the simplest solution for fixing excessive barking. Thundershirt’s gentle, constant pressure has a tremendous calming effect, and this calming effect may be all you need to eliminate the problem barking. Or if necessary for your dog’s particular issue, Thundershirt can be an important part of a simple training program. See below for more information. But please don’t shock or spray your dog for problem barking… in most cases that will only bring about bigger problems!!!


Problem Barking FAQ


Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about using Thundershirt for problem barking. If you have any other questions you would like to ask, please contact us.
  • If Thundershirt alone doesn’t resolve my dog’s symptoms, what training do you recommend?

    As mentioned above, a Thundershirt alone may be sufficient for your dog. But if not, we definitely recommend adding some simple training exercises with the use of your Thundershirt. See above for details on the training programs.
  • For what types of problem barking will Thundershirt work?

    For many dogs, Thundershirt is effective for a wide variety of problem barking causes. Those causes include stress, boredom, over-arousal, fear, reactivity towards other dogs or people, and reactivity towards passing cars.
  • How tight is “too tight”?

    Thundershirt should only have comfortable pressure on your dog. How do you judge “comfortable”? You should be able to easily slip you fingers under the Thundershirt. For the next straps, they should only be gently stretched… no pressure is needed around the front chest area; the benefit from Thundershirt comes from the pressure around the torso behind the front legs. When securing the torso straps, you should be stretching the fabric, but it does not require any strenuous force.
  • Can I wash and dry Thundershirt?

    Thundershirt is made out of durable, washable fabric. When necessary, Thundershirt may be washed in a regular cycle using regular laundry detergent and cold water. Hang to dry.
  • How long can my dog wear Thundershirt?

    Thundershirt is comfortable and safe to wear for extended periods without owner supervision.
  • Is Thundershirt a good solution if my dog is deaf or blind?

    In many cases, yes! Deafness or blindness can cause some dogs to become “problem barkers”. They may be barking due to fear, boredom, loneliness or some other issue. But we have seen terrific results with Thundershirt for these cases.
  • Will my dog eventually no longer need Thundershirt for problem barking?

    That’s very possible. As your dog learns to react to what stimulates her “problem barking” in a different manner through the use of Thundershirt and any training you undertake, she may no longer need Thundershirt’s help to calm down. Over time, your dog may be able to be a welcome and quieter member of the family all on her own!
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ORDER YOUR THUNDERSHIRT TODAY

**NOTE: Thundershirt US does not deliver to Malaysia. So place your orders NOW!!!

Monday, June 25, 2012

TRAVEL ANXIETY


Depending on the severity of your dog’s travel anxiety, a Thundershirt alone may be enough to solve your issues.

The use of Thundershirt alone has eliminated or significantly reduced symptoms such as severe shaking, panting, excitability, barking and even vomiting.

But there are also easy steps you can take to further help your dog to be a happy traveler. See below for a training program and training video. We have also provided answers to a variety of common questions for travel anxiety.




Relieving Travel-Related Anxiety
By Jenn Merritt, CPDT


Shaking, panting, drooling, nausea, hyper-arousal with lunging at cars, or bikes or people. Sound like a fun car trip? Unfortunately, all are symptoms of travel anxiety, a common problem for dogs. Some dogs develop travel anxieties over time, while others have them from puppyhood. But with just a little time and effort, and the right tools, you can bring the joys of travel to your dog.

If you are preparing to bring a new puppy into your home, see the section below on positive prevention. But if you are reading this article, you likely already have a dog that suffers from travel anxiety. First off, if the issues have been going on for some time, it is likely going to take some time to alter your dog’s responses to travel. But here are some simple steps to calmer, gentler travel. And you may very well see at least some improvement very quickly!

Signs of Stress
It is important to learn to recognize when your dog is becoming stressed. Most of us know that vocalizations and vomiting can be common occurrences when dogs become stressed in a vehicle. But more subtle signs of stress can include yawning, shaking off, lip licking, dilated pupils, panting, lifting a front paw and excessive salivation. Identifying stress signs early can help the process of helping your dog overcome her stress.

It’s a Wrap - Thundershirt
The first step is to help your dog feel safe and reduce her overall anxiety/arousal levels while being around and in the car. Try a pressure wrap like the Thundershirt which can instantly reduce arousal, nervousness and anxiety by applying constant, gentle pressure on the dog’s body. This pressure has a calming effect on a dog’s nervous system, and can refocus a dog to concentrate on their bodies instead of their environment. Apply the Thundershirt at varying intervals prior to and/or during the below exercises, sometimes 5 minutes prior to a car experience, sometimes more and less. 

New Associations
The goal is to get your dog to associate positive experiences with being around, inside, and while riding in the car. If the only time your dog goes for a car ride is to go to the vet, she will likely associate the car ride with not-so-pleasant experiences (and understandably so!).

Below are just a few of the simple things you can do linking the car to something positive (food!). How your dog responds to food can tell you how your dog is feeling. Most dogs that are feeling stress will refuse food, so if your dog is eating, she is OK.

If all goes well, you can progress through the steps as your dog demonstrates she is comfortable, which may be just a few sessions over several days. If you are seeing stress signs, you may need to take a step backward until your dog relaxes:

1. If your dog is nervous just being near the car, start by hand feeding meals beside the car, each meal moving the bowl closer to, then inside the car with the doors open. Ask your dog for simple commands as you move around the car, rewarding for correct responses. We want to get and keep them thinking.

2. Next, sit with your dog in the car, feed a meal, relax, and don’t go anywhere. Close the car doors for a moment.

3. With each meal, spend a little more time in the car. You may want to introduce a crate or travel carrier at this point, putting a stuffed Kong or other food stuffed toy in the crate or with your dog in the back seat.

4. Next, start the car and sit for a moment (but don’t go anywhere yet). As long as your dog is relaxed, drive up and down in the driveway a few times or drive around the block.

5. Each meal, lengthen the trip, trying to think of fun destinations you can go to regularly. Short, enjoyable field trips should become part of your routine.  

Safe Containment
Regardless of your dog’s travel related behavior issue, every dog should ride while safely contained. The type of containment can play a role in your dog’s travel related behaviors.

For over-aroused dogs, try a plastic travel crate instead of a wire crate. This blocks some of the dog’s visual field, giving them less to look at and less to be aroused by. Nervous dogs may also benefit from a plastic vs. wire kennel.  

Start At the Beginning -- Positive Prevention for New Puppies
If you are bringing a new puppy into your home, following some simple steps can go a long way to avoiding travel-related anxieties. When puppies are exposed to repeated positive associations from a very early age, many car-related behavior issues can be avoided all together.

Beginning with the very first time you bring your puppy home, make car rides pleasant, calm experiences. If you are lucky to be adopting your puppy from a conscientious breeder, then your puppy likely will have already been exposed to pleasant car rides.

But the first car ride home with a new family can be stressful for any puppy, so plan on making it a positive trip. Have someone gently hold the puppy (not the person driving!) and feed a few high-value treats (e.g. XXXX) or introduce a toy, such as a stuffed Kong, so your puppy can concentrate on something other than the car ride.

After you arrive home, make a habit of feeding your new puppy some of her meals in the car from a stuffed Kong or other puzzle toy with the car parked in the driveway. If all goes well, start the car and drive around the block. Introduce your puppy to a travel crate, puppy seat belt or other containment so she can ride safely in the car. Make riding in the car something that happens all the time.

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DOG SEPARATION ANXIETY

Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety can be an extremely challenging issue to manage and is often very stressful… for both the dog and her owners.

Depending on the severity of your dog’s separation anxiety, a Thundershirt alone may be enough to solve your issues.

The use of Thundershirt alone has eliminated or significantly reduced symptoms such as excessive barking/whining, destructive chewing, severe shaking, panting, indoor elimination, destructive clawing, and even seizures.

But there are also easy steps you can take to further help your dog to be comfortable in your absence.


With over an 85% success rate, why not try a Thundershirt for your dog's separation anxiety?


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ORDER YOUR THUNDERSHIRT TODAY

**NOTE: Thundershirt US does not deliver to Malaysia. So place your orders NOW!!!

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Sizes Available: XS, S, M, L & XL
Colour: Heather Grey

To order your Thundershirt for your dog, please visit our online store or drop an email to:

natasha@thunderdogsmalaysia.com


Please include the following information in your email:

Your Name:
Dog Breed:
Chest Measurement:
Size Required:

Address:
Phone No:

Friday, June 22, 2012

DOGS AND FIREWORKS

Is your dog afraid of fireworks? Does the Chinese New Year and Hari Raya celebrations send your dog scared and into hiding?

If your dog exhibits any anxiety from the sounds of fireworks or other similarly loud noises, you need a Thundershirt. The Thundershirt can help treat all symptoms of dog firework anxiety, and no training is required.

To see the effect, just put a Thundershirt on your dog and observe the results. In most dogs, a positive difference is obvious in the very first usage, while others may need two or three usages before displaying a significant change.

Before the anticipated fireworks display,  put the Thundershirt on your dog, i.e. prior to your dog becoming scared and anxious. But, it is fine to put the Thundershirt on AFTER your dog has become anxious, as you will still see good results. In most cases, it is fine to leave a Thundershirt on your dog for extended durations of time.


Dogs and Fireworks FAQ


Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about using Thundershirt for your dog’s fear of fireworks and other loud noises. If you have any other questions you would like to ask, please refer to our FAQ page or contact Thunderdogs Malaysia

  • For what types of symptoms will the Thundershirt work?

    The Thundershirt is effective for a wide variety of anxiety symptoms. For noise anxiety, those symptoms include shaking, panting, drooling, yawning, barking/whining, hyperactivity, eliminating indoors, clawing, digging, hiding, and clinging to owners. The Thundershirt has even cured symptoms as severe as clawing through walls and seizures.

  • Will it work the first time my dog wears the Thundershirt?

    Most dogs show significant improvement within minutes of putting the Thundershirt on for the first time. Some dogs may take two to three usages before they show significant improvement.

  • How tight is “too tight”?

    The Thundershirt should only have comfortable pressure on your dog. How do you judge “comfortable”? You should be able to easily slip you fingers under the Thundershirt. For the neck straps, they should only be gently stretched... no pressure is needed around the front chest area; the benefit from the Thundershirt comes from the pressure around the torso behind the front legs. When securing the torso straps, you should be stretching the fabric, but it does not require any strenuous force.

  • How long can my dog wear Thundershirt?

    The Thundershirt is comfortable and safe to wear for extended periods.

  • Will my dog eventually no longer need Thundershirt for noise anxiety?

    In some cases, yes! The Thundershirt allows many dogs to experience the problem noise(s) in a calmer, less fearful state. Over time, this enables some dogs to learn to be less fearful of the noise(s) even without the Thundershirt. The underlying symptoms diminish, or in some cases are eliminated entirely.

  • Have other questions?

    Please click here to see our full FAQ or contact us.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

DOG THUNDERSTORM ANXIETY


Do the booms and crackles of a summer storm send your dog scared and cowering under the bed, shivering on the sofa, or barking and howling with anxiety that lasts from the first thunder crash to the last flash of lightning?

Vets now recognize these multitude of symptoms, ranging from irritating to imperiling, as being a result of “Dog Storm Phobia” - and fortunately, thousands of them now also recognize and recommend an easy, safe, effective cure in the form of our Thundershirt.

From the very first usage of a Thundershirt, your dog is likely to see a significant reduction of all symptoms of storm anxiety. Behaviors such as chewing, problem barking, whining, urination, and hiding under the furniture or destroying it disappear in many dogs immediately during the first use of the Thundershirt.

The Thundershirt is there for your dog through storm anxiety, and takes the place of expensive training or anxiety drugs with dangerous side effects. Simply follow our easy directions to put the Thundershirt on your dog and observe the results (...and you can try it for other situations where your dog experiences anxiety, too! The Thundershirt is proven effective for a range of dog fears).



*Note: The money back guarantee does not apply in Malaysia

When To Put on the Thundershirt On Your Scared Dog


If the forecast shows lightning is immanent, or when you hear that first rumble of thunder, then it’s a good time to put the Thundershirt on your dog, prior to your dog becoming afraid and anxious; but, it is also fine to put the Thundershirt on after your dog has become scared, as you will still see good results.

In most cases, it is fine to leave a Thundershirt on your dog for extended durations of time. Many Thundershirt owners will put their dogs in their Thundershirts prior to going to work, if a storm is forecast for the day, and come home to find a happy, tranquil pet. To learn more of how the Thundershirt helps dogs through storms, and how to apply it properly, check out our How To Use page.

Dogs and Thunderstorms


  • Why is my dog afraid of thunder?

    A variety of factors could contribute to your dog’s thunderstorm fear, including a traumatic incident with loud noise, being too close to a lightning strike, or something less able to be pinpointed, like a genetic predisposition for noise anxiety, or a factor of aging. Read more
  • What are the signs my dog is scared of storms?

    Panting, drooling, whining, barking, hiding, chewing, shaking, scratching, pacing, indoor elimination, and seeking comfort in tight spaces can all be symptoms of a dog’s noise anxiety / fear of storms.

ORDER YOUR THUNDERSHIRT TODAY

To order your Thundershirt for your dog, please drop an email to:
natasha@thunderdogsmalaysia.com

Please include the following information in your email:

Your Name:
Address:
Phone No:

Dog Breed:
Chest Measurement:
Size Required:

Payment information will be sent to you, and your Thundershirt will be put in the post within 3 working days of receipt of payment. Please ensure that there will be someone to collect the Thundershirt at the address provided as your Thundershirt will be sent via PosLaju.

THUNDERSHIRT FOR DOG ANXIETY

With Sarah Fisher and the TTouch Team at Tilley Farm, Bath; UK
I started using the Thundershirt on all my kids in mid 2010 after it was  recommended to me by top UK dog trainer - Sarah Fisher. I was skeptical  at first, but after using it and achieving amazing results, particularly  with Lucky - my most difficult dog, I am now a true believer.

As such I have decided to bring in small shipments of Thundershirts to Malaysia periodically to help all dogs (and their owners) who suffer from anxiety or stress.



Size     Chest Size            Weight
XXS
XS
     9"-13.5"
     13"-18"
          <10 lbs.    
          10-18 lbs.
S      16"-23"           15-25 lbs.
M      18"-26"           20-50 lbs.
L      24"-32"           40-70 lbs.







XL            31"-40"           60-100lbs.
                                    XXL         38"-50"            >100 lbs.

* Please note that Thundershirt.com does NOT currently ship to Malaysia.
**The 45 day money back guarantee does not apply in Malaysia

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Here are some pictures of my kids in their Thundershirts!

~Rascal - looking absolutely handsome!
Rascal & Belle chilling with their Thundershirts
Belle and Rascal goofing around in their Thundershirts

Lucky - having a walkabout in our garden after just a few days in the Thundershirt! Prior to this, he has NEVER set foot outside the house cause he was just too scared!
Lucky - enjoying the outdoors
Lucky - actually smiling while being outside!
Lucky inspecting our new shipment of Thundershirts
Cleo and Lucky in their "Rugby" Thundershirts...  will consider bringing these in if the response is good as they are more expensive...


Nuffnang