Anxiety Wraps For Dogs

[lizbud]

I've never heard anyone mention this before on PT and I just
accidently ran across an ad & info for this product. It sounds
like a fantastic product. Has anyone every used these wraps?

The people & science behind it sounds very plausible to me. I
was just wondering if anyone here had ever read about them or know of anyone who has used them. Here's their link;

http://www.anxietywrap.com/index.htm


I also saw it talked about on a Vet Care & Info site;


http://www.vet.com/pet_health_pr/pet_anxiety_pr.html

I'm very tempted to get one for Smokey. He's very afraid of
thunderstorms.

[clara4457]

I actually have heard of them - it was recommended by Sara Wilson on her bulletin board. I was considering one for Penny Lane when I first adopted her - she would just shake and shake over every little thing.

I was talking it over with my sister who used to work for the Dept of Social Services and she said she had read some current studies that discounted the use of them. I don't remember exactly what it was - but I am having dinner with her tonight, so I will ask her again and let you know.

[lizbud]

Oh Clara, that's excellent. Do show her this explanation of the
technique called "Maintained Pressure"


"The Technique of Maintained Pressure"


The Anxiety Wrap puts in an unchanging, quieting stimulus that causes the receptors to adapt and modify their thresholds in a cumulative manner."

Dr. Shereen D. Farber

Based on an interview and demonstration by Shereen D. Farber, Ph.D, OTR, FAOTA, and author of Neurorehabilitation A Multisensory Approach. WB Saunders Co. Philadelphia, 1982

Dr. Farber is a neurobiologist, comparative anatomist and occupational therapist.
She has a practice with people (Ortho-Neuro-Rehabilitation Services) and works in consultation with a team of veterinarians treating horses and dogs (Canine Equine) Rehabilitation Services in Indianapolis, Indiana.

She tells us that The Anxiety Wrap uses maintained pressure, which is a technique that has been used in humans for many years. To understand how it works in mammals, one needs to know that we all have various types of sensory receptors in our skin, muscles, and organs and throughout our bodies. The purpose of the various sensory receptors is to report the status of the world, both external and internal (from the muscles, joints, connective tissue, organs, etc) to the brain. The brain then sends down messages to activate the body's systems with the idea of taking the body to make the appropriate response according to its feedback. There is a constant feedback system to the brain and correction system from the brain to the body. Touch input appears to enhance awareness or consciousness so every effort is made to normalize touch responses.

Many factors can influence how easily the sensory receptors fire sending their messages to the brain. Besides brain or Central Nervous System (CNS), there is also an Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) whose purpose is to maintain all the body's vital functions. It has two divisions, the sympathetic nervous system (the energy production and expenditure system) and the parasympathetic nervous system (the energy restoration system). If an animal is highly stressed, the autonomic nervous system's (ANS), the sympathetic division sends neural messages to the receptors to lower the amount of sensation required to activate the receptors. This action allows the animal to flee or fight when needed. Unfortunately many animals have had trauma to the CNS or the nerves and associated structures that communicate with the brain and body (the peripheral nervous system). Animals can also sustain stress, illnesses, pain, all of which lower the threshold of sensation needed to fire the sensory receptors. Consider trying to cut the nails of a dog who has been abused, is in chronic pain, or who is a product of sustained stress. Even holding that dog's paw produces an aversive response in the dog. In theory, maintained pressure, as supplied by the hands of the handler or therapist, acts to calm the sensory receptors and raise the amount of sensation needed to fire those receptors to reporting to the brain. Remember that a chronically stressed dog also perceives potential injury when there may be none. Hence his "guard is up" so to speak. As we apply the therapeutic band or our hands, both acting as therapeutic agents to calm the animal, we slowly sink into the tissue and quiet the active firing of those receptors resulting in a calmer dog. The advantage of using the therapeutic bands is that the dog may struggle at first; expending energy all the while, input is being provided to his nervous system that is even, rhythmic and repetitive, producing a calming of mind and body. The animal quickly settles into a more pliable state and his guard is lowered.

Because of injury, some animals are not aware of the injured body part. They may not bear weight on that part or use it effectively. Maintained pressure appears to assist with awareness and use of such extremities demonstrating body part disregard. When pressure is continuously applied, there is a decline in the sensitivity at the receptors; however, the adaptation may vary with the intensity of the stimulus and the area of the body being stimulated. Some areas are far more sensitive than others. The feet and area around the mouth are more sensitive areas with lots of receptors per unit space.

References: Sinclair D: Cutaneous Sensation. London, Oxford University Press, 1967. Lassen NA et al: Brain function and blood flow. Scientific American 239:62-71, 1978. Geldard FA: The Human Senses, 2nd ed. New York, John Wiley and Sons,
1972.

I would love to know what she thinks about this. If you have the time, I'd also like for you to check through the links in
the literature and give me your thoughts about the wraps also.
Thanks so much. Liz.

[lovemyshiba]

This does seem like a good product. I can't wait to hear what your sister says Clara.

My Abbey gets sick in the car, but it's just because she is nervous. If I will sit in the backseat with her, she is calm the whole time, and just sleeps with her head in my lap. Unfortunately, this isn't always an option, and she even gets sick on trips to the vet, whose office is only 10 minutes away

I would love to hear that something like that could work for her.

[clara4457]

Well I talked to my sister and she was equating anxiety wraps with "restraint therapy" or "holding therapy". Restraint therapy is when you take children that have certain disorders and basically hold them down. It is a very controversial therapy that is actually illegal in some states.

I'm not sure I agree with her feeling that anxiety wraps work on the same principle. The issue with restraint therapy is that it treats aggression with aggression (similar to alpha rolling dogs) and it is dangerous to physically restrain another person. If I understand anxiety wraps correctly - it is more of a neuro stimilus that sends calming signals to the brain more along the lines of T-touch therapy.

I think it would be worth a try. You're right - the science behind it sounds extremely plausible.

[lizbud]

Clara,

I agree with you, the two techniques don't really equate.


You know, the more I read about these fiber wraps, the more
I get the feeling that they would act as a "constant hug" without
the actual restraint of being held. The dog or cat (yes cats use them also) would experience a comforting, calming feeling even
while doing everyday normal stuff. I really like the way the
Trainer/Inventor explains that the wrap doesn't replace formal
training, but acts as an available aid in training & maintaining
focus in dogs.

With springtime just around the corner and thunderstorms sure
to come, I'm not looking forward to another season with Smokey
being so scared when they hit. Buddy wasn't afraid of anything,
but Smokey is a lot more 'cautious'.

I was just checking out the testimonials on the site. Seem to be
pretty reputable folks.

[clara4457]

Yes - I am not looking forward to thunderstorm season either. Both Leo and Penny Lane get upset with them. If you decide to try them, let me know how they work - might be worth investing in two.

I am also thinking about attending a T-touch seminar. There are going to be a couple in my area this year. It just kind of depends on whether or not I am traveling at the same time or not, but I think it would be interesting.

[lizbud]

I think the T-touch seminar would be very interesting. Smokey's
puppy trainer was an advocate & even incorporated a little bit
into the puppy classes we took. We used the long (slight
pressure) stroking movements along the dogs sides to relax
the pups after 'free play' sessions to refocus them to continue
the next lesson. Smokey loved it, still does.

I've already measured him for a "vest". he's 27" around the
chest area. I'm pretty sure I'm going to order one. Smokey
is a semi-hyper kind of pup & this should help him in that area
as well. I'll be sure to let you know when I've tried it out on him.

Hope you do get to attend one of the seminars.

[mruffruff]

I've heard of these before. Some people have used them with good results. The theory works, but not on all dogs.

Some people just use kid's T-shirts, ones that are snug but not tight.

Mary

[Dog1,Cats2]

I've used this technique with good results. A good inexpensive way to test if it'll work for your dog is to use a t-shirt and see if that helps.

About a year ago I adopted a very fearful dog; the trainer we worked with recommended T-shirting her to help her to be more calm. We also used T-touch, which helped a lot. The anxiety wrap or a snug T-shirt works the same way, stimulating the hair on their body, down to the cellular level, which causes them to relax.

I immediately saw approximately a 25% reduction in my dog's fearful aggressive/barking/lunging behavior just from wearing a T-shirt to the training class! We've continued working on her behavior, which has now been reduced to about 20-25% of what it used to be. Interesting that I've taken her, clad in a t-shirt, to dog events - kids point at the shirt on the dog! And other trainers know about the theory and ask me how it's working!

Found out that she loves wearing the t-shirts!! Larger shirts can be snugged up by gathering up the excess fabric over the dog's back near their tail and securing it in a rubber band, like you would a pony-tail. A small child's size shirt (from the good-will) works well on my 25 lb American Eskimo dog.

I've heard it works for thunder storm fearfulness, as well.

Good luck!!

[rizzy]

That is very interesting! I have never heard of anything like this, it is neat though. How do they keep your dog calm, what does it do?

[lizbud]

I have ordered one for my dog Smokey & I'll let you all know
how he does with it. I really would like to continue training
with Smokey & have him pay more attention to me even with
all the kitties around. All he wants to do now is play
play & more play...

BTW, I believe the info in the link on the wraps(Jackets) says
that the Dog Trainer who invented this product did start out
with a T-shirt & noticed the difference it made with her dog. She
had a GSD that became aggressive while it was ill, but recovering. She said it helped a lot, so she started used it on other dogs she was training.

[lovemyshiba]

Please do let us know how it works for Smokey Liz--I'm very interested to hear.

I think Smokey and Jada would get along well--all she wants to do is play and play and play and play too--she's like the last kid awake at the slumber party!!!!

[clara4457]

I will be very interested also. Now that Penny Lane is becoming more confident, I want to start getting her out more this summer for some people socialization. She is past the "scared of her own shadow" phase and I really think it is time to build on that. If the anxiety wrap works - I think it would be a great way to alleviate her anxiety when she is out in public. As I said before, I also want to take a T-touch seminar.

Liz - let us know how it works. In the meantime I think I am going to try the t-shirt thing.

Clara

[Smilla]

Lefty's behavior therapist just recommended this last night. I can't wait to hear about your results, Lizbud!