[DSM-3.1415926]

Hey, dog lovers:

I was in my local Petco last night and saw something called the "Thundershirt." According to the copy on the box, it exerts constant gentle pressure on a dog's torso; supposedly this helps with anxiety-related behavior problems (excessive barking, jumping and such).

This sounds like pure hype; is there any truth to the claims being made?

[Travelinglady]

I have heard about that thing, too. But I don't know anyone who has tried it on their pet. I know touch can be comforting, so I would think it would be worth a try. That said, though, I haven't seen how much it costs.

[TheWell]

This actually works for some dogs. Dogs will push up against you when they are nervous. It's part of the pack mentality. It makes them feel safe to feel pressure on their sides. The thunder shirt gives them this comfort.

[DogTrainingLove]

Yep it works really well for a lot of dogs. (And cats, they have one for them too) This is there website and if you click on "How it works" you can see their explanation: http://www.thundershirt.com/Product/...9-331dda09637e

[nummy]

My sister has these for her dogs and swears they work. Works for fireworks, too, at least for her dogs.

[Silent Void]

They're legit. They're akin to therapy blankets, which are heavier than regular blankets.

I think it's great people are caring for their pets this way.

[Maven]

What about anxious humans? Does it work for anxious humans?

[DogTrainingLove]

Actually they have something like it for humans, no idea how well it works: What is Squease?-SQUEASE

I find wrapping myself up in some blankets and having my dog lay across me for weight really helps.

[getrealmama]

I have heard from reliable people that they work. And I know for me, it sounds weird but whenever I am at the dentist and they put the heavy lead apron on me before getting an xray, I feel like I could go to sleep right in the chair. I love that thing.

[Maven]

Really, getrealmama? It has the opposite effect on me. I don't enjoy anything at the dentist, though.

[Christina86]

It works fairly well on my parent's two dogs. One has severe thunderstorm anxiety.

Lots of animals (and humans, like babies) are less anxious when they're in a more constricted type garment. I've seen it work wonders on people with different higher level disability who need the weight to calm themselves.

[Rose76]

The thunder shirt is based on sound theory. You might like to read about Dr. Temple Grandin. She is an animal expert who noticed that cattle calm down when put into a "squeeze shute," which works by applying pressure. Grandin, herself, is autistic and suffers with anxiety. She invented a device like the cattle shute for humans. Some people describe it as a "hug machine." BBC - Science & Nature - Horizon

The principle behind swaddling babies is based on the same idea. Mothers have been doing that for thousands of years, and modern hospital nurseries still do it.