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| Alfie Still V.nervous Of Dogs On Walks; Thunder shirt? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: 24 Mar 2012, 10:44 AM (646 Views) | |
| IloveArnieandAlfie | 24 Mar 2012, 10:44 AM Post #1 |
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IloveArnieandAlfie
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Hi All! Even though Alfie is coming along really well at Doggie School, whilst out on walks he's still at 5 1/2 months old very very nervous of other dogs when he sees them in view. I speak to him in a cheery voice to divert his thoughts and he will start walking again but very wary. And yet at Doggie School he's not as bad there. I took him to Eastham Woods yesterday and he was on his new 5 meter FLEXI tape lead because he is an absolute hoover whilst walking! He is poorly at the moment as a result! So the tape lead worked brilliantly yesterday and he wasn't able to get to anything! But the nervousness of dogs was still there very much so! BUT...........i was wondering what people's thoughts are to getting him a THUNDER SHIRT for walks??????? Could this help????????? I have a full unopened bag of JWB to go back to Pets at Home and i could do an exchange for one of these if it would be any good????? http://www.petsathome.com/shop/thundershirt-the-best-solution-for-dog-anxiety-56451?freeText=thunder What do you think?????????????? From Dawn & Alfie
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| WeLoveJess | 24 Mar 2012, 10:52 AM Post #2 |
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Julie Marie wots got a noo friend, Jeanette
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I've no experience of the thundershirt so will leave it for others to comment on that... but just wanted to say that Minky is still a bit like that... and also absolutely fine meeting all dogs at dogschool. On the walk she's worried UNTIL she goes up and meets them, then she's fine, but when she sees them at a distance she's (sometimes) hackles up and huffing to meet them. It's decreasing with time... so I think yours will too.... you sure you're not tensing up on the lead when you see a dog? even involuntarily? get Kevin to video you on a walk (well, just your hands!!!) when a dog is seen in the distance, bet you'd be surprised at the results I threw a huge girly strop (I know... so hard to believe...) when Neil told me that I was tensing up the lead with Jess. In his usual fashion he said nothing but went to retrieve the camcorder and came with us on a walk.... then showed it to me.... after stropping dramatically out of the room I had to concede that I was tensing up. well perhaps just a bit....
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| IloveArnieandAlfie | 24 Mar 2012, 11:26 AM Post #3 |
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IloveArnieandAlfie
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Did Neil video your bum to! Not that i'm aware of because i'm very conscious of that issue so go all out not to have it there. I love to meet the other doggies to, so when they come towards us i actually speak to them and "meet & greet" them. And always chat to the owners to to try and show him there's nothing to worry about. When were standing still he still barks at the other dogs even though they are behaving absolutely perfect? We even have a ball thrower and if i dog comes near him he drops the ball and legs it. You threw a strop? Not you? Only thing is Kev would be like the local perv in the Woods on me bum! So incase i did tense up......... how would you correct it even if you don't know it's happening??
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| pangolin | 24 Mar 2012, 12:04 PM Post #4 |
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GSD Addict
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Thundershirts come with a full moneyback guarantee so there really is no harm trying them. I know several people have said PAH take them back directly, otherwise you can post them back to the manufacturer for a refund. Dogs can find it hard to generalise so although he may be fine in his doggy school, he may struggle to associate the good experiences there with meeting dogs out on walks. Can you make arrangements to walk with other dog owners on your usual routes? I would start out low, just one dog at a time, rather than risk overwhelming/flooding him with lots of other dogs (higher chance of a bad experience, or it may surpress his feelings and make him look calm when he's really terrified of a large group) and slowly build up to more and more positive interactions with other dogs :) |
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| WeLoveJess | 24 Mar 2012, 12:09 PM Post #5 |
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Julie Marie wots got a noo friend, Jeanette
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I just physically take stock, glance down at my arms and hands and make sure I'm not even curling a finger.. .keep the Prozac Mummy Voice going, but not all high energy : that can create excitement which can make him bark. Mum used to have a saying when she saw me walking Jess when a dog was approaching, I'd be talking to her really REALLY gently and calmly (and slowly, slowing the pace of the words down makes them concentrate more...stretch out the syllables), and Mum would laugh and say "you've got your hypnotic voice on again". And that kinda describes it well, you're keeping the pace of the words nice and slow but light in tone and quiet in energy. Not that I'd know, but I guess a bit like settling a baby down ready for bed. can you remember that far back? Him barking whilst you're talking to the other owners is partly excitement... he's probably trying to engage the other dog into play.... he's just a pup that hasn't learned how to greet and induce play... I'd keep doing what you're doing and going to dogschool and just get Kevin to video your arms and hands a few times.... it does help. If you are physicallly tensing up? You just have to exhale slowly and focus on your arms and hands staying floppy. Chest out, shoulders back and floppy arms with a slow exhale..... it's more about the energy coming from you.... you are quite an excitable person so just pull the Oscar out of the cupboard and pretend to be all chilled, you know... like me.....
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| WeLoveJess | 24 Mar 2012, 12:10 PM Post #6 |
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Julie Marie wots got a noo friend, Jeanette
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I agree... and the best person for you to walk with is ALLISON.. .with just one of her dogs to begin with... then increase to two... then three.... Allison knows her dogs like the back of her hand they'll be great for him (how about getting a ThunderShirt for Kev???) |
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| pangolin | 24 Mar 2012, 12:13 PM Post #7 |
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GSD Addict
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Oh, regarding lead tension, it might be worth switching to a longline rather than a Flexi to see if it makes a difference. A Flexi can provide constant tension on the lead because of the way it works. Casper can be reactive and if I'm somewhere I can't just let him offlead, I put him on a longline and purposely hold it a bit shorter than the full length - then throw out some slack when he's near the other dog. The tension on the lead disappears and his attitude does too. If he spends the whole time at the end of the line straining towards the dog then we walk away and reapproach when it slacks up - dogs do fare better greeting each other in a wide arc so it can help to lead the dog away and circle back towards them rather than a head-on meeting. |
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| WeLoveJess | 24 Mar 2012, 12:20 PM Post #8 |
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Julie Marie wots got a noo friend, Jeanette
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tired that nagged the hell outa my sister to buy a 12' long line, which she did... she said he gets it all tangled up in the woods I'm saying nuffin but I suspect Dawn has the coordination of a drunk peanut
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| IloveArnieandAlfie | 24 Mar 2012, 12:52 PM Post #9 |
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IloveArnieandAlfie
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I tried the 20ft long line and to be fair for me....... it's ! Just really don't like the way it works and makes walking Alfie really hard for me. Couldn't even enjoy the walk with him because i was constantly having to watch the line in and out, in and out ect ect.......Took him out with his FLEXI and it done all the work for me, no tangles or getting wrapped round anything either. (£20's worth and that was a sale lol!!) so,,,,, very well made, and it was brilliant. It has a lock on it that you can do an instant stop or lock it into a position, not a fan of the long line at all sadly! Shurrup Joolie! Ask mum Joolie all Alfie did was try and chew the bugger off him. He hated it. Hubby thinks the new lead was a fiver!
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| IloveArnieandAlfie | 24 Mar 2012, 01:04 PM Post #10 |
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IloveArnieandAlfie
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Hiya! Took the bull by the horns so to speak and ordered him a Thundershirt off Amazon for a bargain £22.09. Cheapest i could find on the net. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0029PUFAE/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details Bought the XL size so i'm praying that this will help Just need his illness to clear up now! How long do you think before i'll notice a difference?
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| Danasam | 24 Mar 2012, 02:08 PM Post #11 |
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GSD Lover
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Dawn I would love to hear if the Thunder shirt works... Shiloh is great with dogs that she knows about 11 of them all different sizes, but every since the attack any strange dog that comes near her she is on her back legs barking and pulling. I have her on her collar and dogmatic collar and double lead her. She is ok at class as long as a dog doesn't rush her - to be honest I'm not too enthralled with this class but finding another is proving difficult as I am having to depend on public transport or taxis. |
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| IloveArnieandAlfie | 24 Mar 2012, 03:23 PM Post #12 |
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IloveArnieandAlfie
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Hi Carol! Here's hoping it works for us both then lol as we shall have 2 very happy babies! Can't wait to receive it though. Can't believe i have only paid £22.09 through Amazon for an XL size one and Pets at Home want £35 for the same thing! What a rip off! Can't beat the internet for prices. I agree, its very hard finding a good doggie class. Poor Shiloh to, it must be horrid for our babies to feel so nervous with others. I go to one in Runcorn that Allison put me on to, and it's really good. Ran by the Kennel Club. I really like one of the trainers Sheila, she's very respectful but tells you how it is, but polite! Alfie does have his "i don't want to do anyfink" moments though still! Sheila just says, pull him up!! Were abouts are you Carol?? |
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| pangolin | 24 Mar 2012, 03:37 PM Post #13 |
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GSD Addict
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Have you tried the search on the APDT website? http://www.apdt.co.uk |
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| Louve | 24 Mar 2012, 03:58 PM Post #14 |
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Tala's Proud Momma
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Hi all!I would be very interested in hearing of your experience with the Thundershirt. Not necessarily to use with Tala at this stage, but just in general to hear of how people find it. :) So, I look forward to reading how you find it, Dawn. :) As for those of you sharing comments on lead tension - I found that very interesting too, and I will be paying better attention to how I hold Tala's lead. :) This forum is soooo awesome... Everyone is so helpful, and so so friendly! I am really glad I joined!
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| IloveArnieandAlfie | 24 Mar 2012, 04:18 PM Post #15 |
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IloveArnieandAlfie
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hi Amy! Your like me , i haven't heard anyone close to me using the Thundershirt, but the internet gives it fab reviews. really, if it does work a treat, it would be a fab aid to all the very nevous rescue doggie out there. I have found an XXL sized one for adults on Ebay for only £26.00! Free Postage!!! How brill is that! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330701869843?var=540058265936&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 It is a fantastic forum Amy and i have found that everyone is just amazing! My eldest sister Julie who's 55 nearly.............. is on here to, Welovejess. She's wonderful with dogs but sadly can't cook and a rubbish secretary (get's it all wrong shhhhh Neil would have sacked her years ago but he's married to her! .......... !!) Love you sis! |
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| Danasam | 24 Mar 2012, 04:21 PM Post #16 |
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GSD Lover
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Dawn!! she is going to kill you lol |
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| IloveArnieandAlfie | 24 Mar 2012, 04:56 PM Post #17 |
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IloveArnieandAlfie
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We have sick sense of humours!!! Ask Julie about Lassie????? oh no Lassie .......where did you go! |
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| WeLoveJess | 24 Mar 2012, 05:17 PM Post #18 |
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Julie Marie wots got a noo friend, Jeanette
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SHE CERTAINLY IS!!!! I am NOT a Secretary! I'm a PA!!!
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| sal | 24 Mar 2012, 07:33 PM Post #19 |
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GSD Annointed Member
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The thunder shirts are based on a £4 stretchy bandage you can buy from a chemist and apply as per TTellington touch directions ( a figure of 8 around the body after wrapping it across the chest) I have used it on rescue dogs at the kennels, clients dogs and vet referral dogs with great results and tonnes cheaper! Rescue remedie and Bach flower remedies applicable to your dogs character can help- they have ones for confidence, fear etc |
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| pangolin | 24 Mar 2012, 08:09 PM Post #20 |
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GSD Addict
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I don't think TTouch wraps are meant to be left on a dog unattended though, but Thundershirts are no different to a dog coat really (so good for something like seperation anxiety) |
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So the tape lead worked brilliantly yesterday and he wasn't able to get to anything! But the nervousness of dogs was still there very much so!




well perhaps just a bit....
Did Neil video your bum to!
Not you?
so just pull the Oscar out of the cupboard and pretend to be all chilled, you know... like me.....
they'll be great for him
nagged the hell outa my sister to buy a 12' long line, which she did... she said he gets it all tangled up in the woods
! Just really don't like the way it works and makes walking Alfie really hard for me.
Can't believe i have only paid £22.09 through Amazon for an XL size one and Pets at Home want £35 for the same thing! What a rip off! Can't beat the internet for prices.
Hi all!

1:35 AM Jul 11








