Why is my 6-month-old dog acting weird, jerking, digging, hot spot?

Ruling out an underlying health issue such as pain or illness is always a good first step when your pet experiences a sudden behavior change. As seven is the start of the senior years, it is possible there is some pain from laying in the bed, or arthritis causing problems. if Milou checks out health, trying to find if there is a pattern to the "attacks" may be helpful- does it happen the same time every night? Same spot? Same triggers? Is the neighbor arriving home in a noisy car at that time, etc? This may help you figure out what is triggering it so you can make some adjustments- IE moving the bed somewhere quieter, making sure your dog is fast asleep prior to that time, getting out excess energy before bed, feeding a treat to keep the stomach from becoming too empty and causing growling/discomfort, etc. If you can't seem to find any pattern at all, taking a video of the even to bring to your vet or a local trainer may be helpful in better identifying what is going on, and finding a solution.

Aww, I’m sorry to hear about Daisy! I see this commonly with either pain or anxiety. These little guys can easily injure their backs and legs which can cause changes in behavior and the way they stand- as well as shaking. You may also notice Daisy avoiding the dog door or refusing to jump on beds/couches as she normally does. I recommend taking her in for a good physical exam to see if this might be the case. Hope this helps and best of luck to you and Daisy!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Naisha. If she is still exhibiting the symptoms of odd behavior, I recommend thst she sees a veterinarian. She could be painful or starting to develop an illness such as a respiratory tract infection. If the episode has passed, monitor her closely for similar signs. If the symptoms become more frequent, then I would have her evaluated. Puppies are growing and learning so sometimes can display different behaviors without it being problematic. I hope this information helps!

Hello Paula, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It does not sound to me like she is just trying to assert dominance over you. That would be very odd for a 6 year old dog to just start acting like that out of the blue. Her symptoms, to me, sound more like she has pain somewhere like her back. When dogs are panting excessively it is most often due to pain and/or anxiety. I suggest you get all her blood testing results and copies of her X-rays and go to another vet for a second opinion. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Callie. If she is starting her next heat cycle, this can result in behavior changes. Otherwise I have had patients display odd behaviors when they are experiencing a respiratory tract infection. Monitor for any coughing or sneezing as this would be another sign of an infection. Finally, she could be painful somewhere. She will likely need to see her veterinarian for a diagnosis and if any treatment is required. I hope this information helps!

Hello. With any odd change in behavior, you do want to follow up with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Hormonal changes from cystic ovaries, for example, can cause unusual behavior, & in an unsprayed older pet, the development of a pyometra could potentiate subtle signs of pain or discomfort. You should definitely make Minou an appointment to have some routine blood work done, followed up by any diagnostic imaging such as x-rays or ultrasound to be sure there are no underlying medical reasons for her unusual behavior. I hope all is well & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Moxie. I think that her sudden change in behavior is worrisome. Dogs can slow down as they age. However, she is only middle aged. Plus age changes are gradual. Not as dramatic as you have described. I recommend that she sees a veterinarian. I worry that she is painful somewhere. For example, neck and/or back pain is common in small and medium breed dogs. Arthritis or a soft tissue injury could also explain the signs you are seeing. The veterinarian will carefully examine her. X-rays may be recommended. Based on these results, treatment can be started to help her feel better. In the meantime, keep her quiet and do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!