Thundershirt Company | www.thundershirt.com
machine, we recommend fastening the hook and loop fasteners to prevent them from snagging on
your Thundershirt or other items in the wash.
If necessary, to remove dog hair from your Thundershirt’s closure hooks, we recommend using a
standard dog “slicker” brush. A couple of strokes and the hooks will be nearly hair-free.
How long can I leave a Thundershirt on my dog?
Thundershirt is designed to be safe to leave on your dog for extended periods of time when
appropriate for the situation or issue that you are addressing. Thundershirt is made out of light-
weight, breathable fabric, so over-heating is very rarely an issue. It is typically safe to leave a dog
unsupervised while wearing a Thundershirt.
How do I put Thundershirt onto my dog?
We designed Thundershirt to be very easy to put on your dog, even if she is already in a state
of anxiety. Nothing to pull over your dogs head and holes to thread legs through. Simply lay the
Thundershirt over the dog’s back and fasten the adjustable fasteners. Detailed instructions are in the
package and available on the company website.
Are there any special sizing and t considerations for male dogs?
When tting a Thundershirt on a male dog, the straps that go around the stomach area should not
cover or push on the genitals or prepuce. If the Thundershirt rubs against the genitals or prepuce,
irritation may result.
Is overheating a concern when using a Thundershirt?
Except in extreme conditions (e.g. >90 degrees Fahrenheit in the sun), overheating is not typically
a concern when using a Thundershirt. Dogs cool themselves primarily through their mouths and
paws, and a Thundershirt is constructed of a lightweight, breathable fabric. The state of Florida is
one of our biggest markets. But if you feel that overheating might be a problem for your particular
circumstance, please monitor your dog for any signs of overheating such as heavy panting or tongue
hanging out of the mouth. Remove the Thundershirt if you see any signs of overheating.
Suggestions for when a Thundershirt appears to not be working?
Over 80% of dogs respond to Thundershirt’s gentle, constant pressure, but of course that means
some dogs do not. A few questions and suggestions are below to perhaps get better results for
your dog:
• Have you tried making the Thundershirt a little more “snug”? But please note…it should never
be uncomfortable …just “comfortably snug” around the torso and never restrictive around the
neck area. You may be able to increase the snugness around the torso and see improvement.
• Have you tried using a Thundershirt in combination with any other approaches? Thousands
of trainers across the country use Thundershirts as part of training programs. Thundershirt’s
calming effect helps dogs to better focus during training…a more focused dog is a faster learning
dog! Visit our website for suggestions… www.thundershirt.com/howitworks
• Is your dog comfortable in the Thundershirt? Almost all dogs quickly learn to like wearing
a Thundershirt. We hear from customers all the time that their dogs will literally seek out
their Thundershirt during times of stress! But if your dog is showing signs of not liking the
Thundershirt, please take additional steps to help your pup learn to love it. After putting the
Thundershirt on, will your dog eat treats? If he is willing to eat with the Thundershirt on, that is
usually a good sign that he is not too anxious. Try putting on the Thundershirt WITHOUT other
stressors present (e.g. no guests over), and give lots of high value treats and engage in play.
