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!!
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks