Calming Cap Study: Preliminary Info

Do you have a dog who engages in "reactive" behaviors when they see other dogs while on walks? This can include: lunging, barking, howling, growling, or snapping.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to test the use of a Calming Cap (AKA ThunderCap, see: https://thundershirt.com/products/thundercap-for-dogs) for reducing reactive behaviors in dogs while out on walks and seeing other dogs.

How it works: If you and your dog are eligible, you will go out for walks with your dog as per usual. You will record video of the walk using a hands-free camera. Then, when we give the ok, you will take walks with the Calming Cap on your dog.

Consented owners will be provided with $25* gift cards to Petco or Amazon (your choice) upon completion of the study, which includes:

1. A demographic questionnaire about your dog and their behavior

2. Videorecording several walks (12+) with you dog with/without the Calming Cap on them

3. A follow-up survey about your experience with the intervention

*If your dog ends up being unable to finish the study due to reactivity to the Cap, you will still be offered a $10 gift card to compensate you for your time.

To be eligible, dogs must:

• be at least 6 months old

• have been in the current household for at least 3 months

• have no history of biting or trying to bite people

• be current on rabies or rabies titer

• not have any vision impairments, medical issues, or physical features which would impair wearing a Calming Cap

• be able to be physically controlled by you if pulling on leash

To be eligible, owners must:

• be at least 18 years old

• own the dog

• be willing to videorecord walks with their dogs using a hands-free camera provided by the study team

• be willing to allow a Calming Cap to be placed on their dog. This may include some initial training with treats.

To check your eligibility and potentially sign up to enroll: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/K8XP19bXCi