Dog anxiety coats query

[condor]

A client of mine asked me today if she should buy an anxiety coat for her 2 year old Bichon Frise. I hadn't heard of them, so was shown some for sale on Amazon. It seems that they use an acupuncture type method to reduce stress in the dog. Has anyone here got one/used one on their dog? I said I'd ask on this forum, and let her know next week.
She wants a waterproof one so she can use it when out on their walks together - the dog gets anxious by other dogs and loud noises. Also refuses to take various routes for no understandable reason.
Or any other suggestion that might help - the dog has a dog equivalent of 'feliway' in the house.
Thanks

[louiebaby]

We bought a Thunder Shirt for our Large Munsterlander.

It didn't work for us. (Sample size of one, may not be representative.)

[anonymous-user]

We have a thunder shirt for our Westie for fireworks. Seems to work ok on him.

[bexVN]

I have had clients use them with great success and others not so much. So to me they are worth a go.

[Jasandjules]

Tried a thundershirt and did nothing. Homeopathic remedy and the dog is now happy in a storm etc and even slept through fireworks, compared to shaking like a leaf before.

[condor]

Thanks for your replies I'll suggest she gets one then. Are they mainly for internal use or can they be used outside?
Is there a particular best one? I know a few of you have mentioned thunder shirt - I'll suggest she has a look at that.
I think getting the right size is probably the most important thing. Presumably that's girth and length from collar to tail?

[bexVN]

Thunder shirt is the main one I know. They do need to be snug around the trunk of the body.

I think they can be used outside though my main experience of them is for firework phobias. However if used outside they will need to be careful of overheating due to its snug fit.

An adaptil collar may be another consideration for when outside (plus zylkene and Kalmaid).

[yellowbentines]

Grahamdub said:

We have a thunder shirt for our Westie for fireworks. Seems to work ok on him.

We had one for our Westie - made no difference at all (nothing did with fireworks).

Seems like its a firm definite 'maybe' then

[anonymous-user]

yellowbentines said:

We had one for our Westie - made no difference at all (nothing did with fireworks).

Seems like its a firm definite 'maybe' then

Westies are a law onto themselves though !

[yellowbentines]

Grahamdub said:

yellowbentines said:

We had one for our Westie - made no difference at all (nothing did with fireworks).

Seems like its a firm definite 'maybe' then

Westies are a law onto themselves though !

Indeed. Others swear by the DAP diffuser, it only made our Westie hyper and more anxious.

[travel is dangerous]

condor said:

Thanks for your replies I'll suggest she gets one then. Are they mainly for internal use or can they be used outside?

It’s best to put them on the outside of the dog.