ThunderWorks ThunderShirt - User Manual

Thundershirt Company | www.thundershirt.com
The Best Solution for Dog Anxiety
Thundershirt’s patent-pending design applies a gentle,
constant pressure to a dog’s torso that has a dramatic
calming effect for most dogs. Recommended by
thousands of veterinarians and dog trainers. Over an
80% success rate and with a money-back guarantee.
Completely safe and comfortable for dogs.
Use for:
• Any anxiety, fear or over-excitement issue. Anytime calming
may have a benet, a Thundershirt may have a benet.
• Uses include fear of thunder, reworks, separation anxiety,
travel, general anxiety or fearfulness, reactivity towards
other animals or people, problem barking, problem jumping
and more.
• Also an excellent training tool for at-home training or during multi-dog training classes. Wearing the
Thundershirt will calm your dog. A calmer dog is a more focused dog. A more focused dog will learn
more quickly.
Key Features:
• Over an 80% success rate for a wide variety of issues.
• Recommended by thousands of veterinarians and trainers.
• Very easy to put on and take off. Simply lay Thundershirt on your dog’s back and fasten the
hook and loop closures. No head or leg holes to struggle with.
• Completely comfortable and safe for your dog. Safe to leave your dog unsupervised while
wearing a Thundershirt (e.g. For separation anxiety or storms while you are away).
• Money-Back Guarantee.
• Lightweight and breathable fabric. Overheating is not typically a concern, regardless of how much
fur your dog may have. Dog’s cool themselves primarily through their mouths and paws.
• Machine washable in cold water. Recommend hang drying.
How Does Thundershirt Work?
Thundershirt applies gentle, constant pressure to a dog’s torso and this pressure has a dramatic calming
effect for most dogs. Anxiety experts believe that the pressure may release a calming hormone like
endorphins or oxcytocins, but using pressure is not at all a new idea for relieving anxiety:
• Swaddling infants.
• Dr. Temple Grandin’s work with people with autism.
• Special Needs Teachers using pressure shirts for a wide variety of behavioral disorders.
Thundershirt is just the rst product to make using pressure easy with dogs!
Questions or Feedback for Thundershirt Company? PETCOFeedback@thundershirt.com

Summary

Thundershirt for Dog Anxiety

Thundershirt Use Cases

Lists various anxiety and fear issues, plus training applications for dogs.

Key Thundershirt Features

Highlights success rate, ease of use, comfort, safety, and washability.

How Thundershirt Provides Calming Effects

Explains the calming effect of gentle pressure, referencing swaddling and expert work.

Thundershirt Sizing and Fit

Male Dog Fit Considerations

Advises on strap placement for male dogs to avoid genital irritation.

Dog Anxiety Prevalence Statistics

Provides statistics on dog anxiety prevalence, age, gender, and household type.

Training Requirements for Thundershirt Use

Explains minimal training is needed, but integration with professional training is beneficial.

Proper Thundershirt Fit Tightness

Describes how to achieve a comfortably snug fit without being restrictive.

Thundershirt Washing Instructions

Details washing instructions for the Thundershirt fabric and hook/loop closures.

Thundershirt Usage and Troubleshooting

Duration of Thundershirt Wear

Discusses safe extended wear periods for Thundershirt, noting breathability.

Applying the Thundershirt to Your Dog

Details the simple process of laying the Thundershirt on the dog's back and fastening it.

Overheating Concerns with Thundershirt

Addresses overheating potential, noting it's rare due to fabric and cooling methods.

Tips When Thundershirt Isnt Working

Offers tips like adjusting snugness, combining with training, and checking dog's comfort.

Advanced Thundershirt Information

Long-Term Effects of Thundershirt Use

Discusses how repeated use can enhance calming effects and reduce fear.

Thundershirt for Dog Competitions

Explains benefits for dogs in agility and other competitions, improving focus.

Thundershirt Suitability for Cats

Notes that while not marketed for cats, many owners report success with smaller sizes.

Advantages Over T-shirts or Bandages

Highlights Thundershirt's ease of use, adjustability, and safety compared to alternatives.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications
3. Usage Features
4. Maintenance Features

The Thundershirt is a patent-pending garment designed to apply gentle, constant pressure to a dog's torso, which has a dramatic calming effect for most dogs. It is recommended by thousands of veterinarians and dog trainers, boasting an over 80% success rate and a money-back guarantee. The Thundershirt is completely safe and comfortable for dogs.

Function Description:

The primary function of the Thundershirt is to alleviate anxiety, fear, and over-excitement issues in dogs by applying gentle, constant pressure. This pressure is believed by anxiety experts to release calming hormones like endorphins or oxytocin, similar to the calming effect of swaddling infants. The Thundershirt can be used for a wide range of issues, including fear of thunder, fireworks, separation anxiety, travel anxiety, general anxiety or fearfulness, reactivity towards other animals or people, problem barking, and problem jumping. It also serves as an excellent training tool, as a calmer dog is a more focused dog and learns more quickly.

Important Technical Specifications:

• Sizing: Available in seven sizes to fit dogs ranging from 3 lbs to 200 lbs. Chest size is the best measurement for fitting, though weight can be used if chest size is unavailable.
• Material: Made from lightweight and breathable fabric. This design minimizes concerns about overheating, as dogs primarily cool themselves through their mouths and paws.
• Design: Features hook and loop closures for easy application and removal. There are no head or leg holes, simplifying the process, especially for anxious dogs.
• Safety: Designed to be safe for extended wear and unsupervised use, similar to a typical dog collar.
• Effectiveness: Over 80% success rate for a wide variety of issues.
• Guarantee: Comes with a money-back guarantee.

Usage Features:

• Ease of Use: Very easy to put on and take off. The Thundershirt is simply laid over the dog's back, and the adjustable fasteners are secured. No pulling over the dog's head or threading legs through holes is required.
• Fitting: When fitting a male dog, ensure the straps around the stomach area do not cover or push on the genitals or prepuce to prevent irritation. The Thundershirt should be comfortably snug around the torso, applying gentle constant pressure, but never restrictive around the neck area. Users should be able to easily slide their fingers underneath the garment.
• Training Integration: Can be used as part of training programs to help dogs focus better during training.
• Adaptability: Suitable for various anxiety-provoking situations, including those where the dog is unsupervised (e.g., separation anxiety or storms when the owner is away).
• Initial Use: For many types of anxiety, no specific training is required. Users can follow simple introduction steps to accustom the dog to the Thundershirt, then apply it before or during an anxiety-provoking event. Results may be seen with the first usage, and benefits often increase with subsequent uses, with maximum results typically observed after three to five usages.
• Addressing Non-Response: If the Thundershirt doesn't seem to be working, users can try making it a little more "snug" (while ensuring comfort) or combine it with other training approaches. It's also important to ensure the dog is comfortable wearing it, potentially by introducing it without other stressors and rewarding the dog with treats and play while wearing it.
• Desensitization: Repeated use of the Thundershirt can help dogs learn to be calmer in previously anxiety-inducing situations, potentially leading to a reduction or elimination of underlying symptoms over time.
• Competition Use: Can help dogs with anxiety problems in agility or other competitions by improving focus and reducing reactivity, fearfulness, distractibility, and excitability.
• Cat Use: While not specifically marketed for cats, the XXS and XS Thundershirts have been successfully used by hundreds of cat owners.

Maintenance Features:

• Washing: Machine washable in cold water using regular laundry detergent.
• Drying: Recommend hang drying.
• Hook and Loop Care: When washing, fasten the hook and loop fasteners to prevent them from snagging on the Thundershirt or other items.
• Hair Removal: To remove dog hair from the closure hooks, a standard dog "slicker" brush can be used for quick and effective cleaning.

ThunderWorks ThunderShirt Specifications

General

Brand	ThunderWorks
Model	ThunderShirt
Category	Pet Care Product
Language	English