My anxious dog bites. What calming options work besides Thundershirt?

Question

Hi! I have a pet rescue dog who is very anxious and a biter. I recently purchased a thundershirt to see if it could help with some of the things that make him most anxious, but I can't get it on without him biting me several times. Do you have any suggestions? Pet's info: Dog | Miniature Pinscher | Male | neutered

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

Poor King! If he is fearful about being handled and bites you when you try to put on the Thundershirt, this probably isn't a good option for him right now - trying to get it on him is likely causing a lot of stress, and is also dangerous for you due to the risk of being bitten. Instead, you might want to try a DAP pheromone diffuser, or a natural calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure for situations that tend to make him anxious - these can be helpful for some fearful dogs. If these things don't help much, you could talk to your veterinarian about whether prescription medication might be a good option for him, or make an appointment with a veterinary behaviorist for a more complete evaluation and treatment plan to help address the problem. You can search for a board-certified veterinary behaviorist in your area here: www.dacvb.org

My anxious dog bites. What calming options work besides Thundershirt?

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