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It's thunderstorm season, is your dog hiding under the bed?

By
Real Estate Agent with Suburban Properties of Charlotte, LLC NC 251339/SC 67468

It's thunderstorm season, is your dog hiding under the bed?  I have a 2 1/2 year old Mini Schnauzer (Rascal) that was petrified of thunder and loud noises.  Anytime he would hear a roll of thunder or a snap crackle or pop he ran for cover.  The only problem is that as the loud noises prevailed over a certain time period, he would also shake, drool and whine looking for someone to comfort him.  Even at 2am.

This year's spring storm season has been especially volatile in Charlotte, NC and for the month of May into June it seemed we were getting thunderstorms almost daily and nightly.  Rascal kept everyone up in the middle of the night for weeks until we were all sleep deprived a delirious. 

During one of my nightly vigils I was watching TV to pass the time and TV show came on and asked "It's thunderstorm season, is your dog hiding under the bed?"  I was glued to the TV as they showed a product that is over 80% effective in calming dogs with a variety of anxiety issues to include:

  • Fear of thunder or noises
  • Separation anxiety
  • Barking problems
  • Car or Travel anxiety
  • Crate anxiety
  • Reactivity
  • General fearfulness
  • Excitability
  • Leash pulling

What is this product you say?  It is called the thundershirt.  It is patent pending and the company that sells it is right here in Durham, North Carolina at www.thundershirt.com.  I woke my husband up and informed him about this product and he thought I was nuts, he laughed at me and told me that I would be wasting my money.  I ordered it anyway.  

I received my thundershirt in the mail and followed the instructions to acclimate Rascal to it.  And true to form we had a several storms over the weekend so I followed the instructions on putting it on him once the storms started.  At first he was a little nervous but much calmer than usual, by the second storm I put it on him and he just plopped down and took a nap.  Score for the thundershirt!

Thundershirt

 

Eric Crane -- Your Full Service, Discount Fee Realtor®
DPR Realty LLC - Gilbert, AZ
Greater Metro Phoenix Arizona

Very cool -- love the photo as well.  I have a Maltese, named 'Alfie'.  He is afraid of nothing.  Although he weighs about 7 pounds, he thinks that he is Great Dane.  He will take on anybody or anything!

Jun 13, 2011 07:10 PM
Jennifer Manchester
Suburban Properties of Charlotte, LLC - Mint Hill, NC
GRI, ePRO, ASP - Broker/Home Stager

Hi Eric:

I wish mine were more fearless!  I'm glad I found this though we were all beside ourselves everytime the weather forecast rain.

Jun 14, 2011 12:46 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Jennifer - My wife's dog Mario shakes and hides during thunderstorms, so I appreciate the post. Question: is there something special about the thundershirt? It looks pretty much like a jacket Mario uses when it's really cold out - I wonder if I should try that next time we get a storm, which will probably be tonight.

Jun 14, 2011 05:48 AM
Jennifer Manchester
Suburban Properties of Charlotte, LLC - Mint Hill, NC
GRI, ePRO, ASP - Broker/Home Stager

Hi Dick:

It doesn't look special but it has velcro on it and you wrap your dog (not too tight) to give them a secure feeling.  From what I have read it serves a few purposes, it distracts the dog and the pressure also has a psycological effect.  What ever it does, it works.  I definitely recommend it and it has a 45 day return policy, so if your dog is in the 20% bracket that it does not work for you can definitely return it.

 

Jun 14, 2011 06:12 AM
Yolanda Hoversten
Self Employed - O'Fallon, IL
Referrals for O’Fallon, IL & the Metro East

Hi, Jennifer. It's great to know that your dog is now calm during the storms. It makes me wonder too what is in the shirt. Thanks for sharing.

Jun 16, 2011 03:55 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

This is awesome...I'm so glad it worked for you...now you can all get a good nights sleep!

Jun 19, 2011 09:05 AM
Jennifer Manchester
Suburban Properties of Charlotte, LLC - Mint Hill, NC
GRI, ePRO, ASP - Broker/Home Stager

Yolanda:  It's nothing special but the way it is made it wraps around the dog and gives them a secure feeling.  We had a real bad storm yesterday and when he wore it you could tell he was aware of the thunderstorm but not panicking like before.

Sharon:  Yes, we can all sleep now.  The sleep deprivation took me back to the days before my son slept through the night.  We were all delirious during the day.

Jun 19, 2011 01:49 PM
Kelli Wall
Coldwell Banker Taylor Real Estate - Idabel, OK
Realtor - Idabel,Oklahoma 74745

Jennifer - I have seen the thundershirt before and wondered - now I know it really does work.  We are blessed to have 2 lazy dogs that don't care if it's raining or sunny, they will sleep in their sunroom just fine...unless the neighbors cat makes a run for the fence!  Kelli

Jun 23, 2011 03:18 PM
Kim & Kristine Halverson
Sotheby's & Knipe ERA - Bend, OR
Sisters, Realtors

Hi Jennifer,What a cute blog.Now you got me all think.Thank you for sharing this blog and the link.I will definitely try this one.More success and stay the best Charlotte Short Sale Agent. 

Apr 13, 2012 01:53 AM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

Hello Jennifer,glad I was able to read this blog.This is really helpful to all of us .Thanks for this blog.Best of luck to you and Stay the best Charlotte Short Sale Agent.

Aug 28, 2012 05:41 AM
Bas Panch
SCV Home Buyer - Valencia, CA

Cool! Its very helpful, thanks for the share Jennifer.

Nov 15, 2012 10:50 PM
Debbie Harr
Homes that Click Realtors - Columbus, OH
Realtor Homes That Click, Worthington Ohio Homes

Keep up the good work. Great share of a comprehensive blog. Continue doing great as Charlotte Short Sale Agent. 

Nov 18, 2012 07:36 PM
Debra Parker
Debra Parker Real Estate, Inc. - Stuart, FL
Realtor - Stuart Florida Homes for Sale

Excellent post! Thank you for sharing, very helpful. You're truly the best Charlotte Short Sale Agents Jennifer Manchester!

Nov 20, 2012 08:50 PM