Why is my dog acting scared and shaking after smelling something?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Hudson. I recommend that he sees a veterinarian. He may have experienced a seizure. He could also have back pain. It is common for small breed dogs to have disc disease in the neck or back which is excruciatingly painful. His veterinarian will examine and determine if either of these scenarios are possible for him or if he has another problem. In the meantime, keep him quiet and carry him if necessary. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!

This does sound like unusual behavior for Jack. There was probably something in the yard that spooked him and now he is acting afraid of it. I would recommend taking him out in the yard (with a leash on if he won't go willingly) and explore the area together. He may lead you right to the source of the problem. My suspicion is that there was some type of animal in the yard and it is now gone but that Jack can still smell it. Since he is otherwise acting normal and still eating and drinking I would not be too concerned. Just keep a close eye on him over the next couple of days to make sure nothing else changes. If he starts acting lethargic or stops eating/drinking, then I would take him in to the vet. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Sorry to hear that Sammy isn't acting like himself. Given the unusual behavior he is exhibiting, I would say that it is a good idea to have him examined by a veterinarian for any less obvious irregularities. Some of the possible causes for this type of behavior is stress, pain, or generally feeling under the weather. The veterinarian will hopefully be able to isolate the possible cause of the issue. Hope this helps.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Wager! I don't think his behavioral barking when your husband is out of town explains what happened this morning on your walk. I think what Wager did was a medical problem. I am glad he is at your Vet. Possible causes are: he was painful, had a seizure, heart problem (arrhythmia), sudden bleed into his belly or around his heart. I hope you have some answers and feel free to repost if you have additional questions. I hope Wager recovers quickly!

Oh poor girl! She is adorable! Sometimes dogs can get scared of a number of things and act that way. Try to think of anything that could have scared her such as a visitor, neighbors or even loud outside noises. Rarely, dogs try to get away when they do not feel well (more commonly seen with cats). Keep her close, pet her and let her know that everything will be ok with a calm demeanor and gentle voice. If no improvement is observed by tomorrow, have her examined by your veterinarian to ensure that there is no medical reason for her behavior. Good luck!

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!

That is concerning. It is possible there is something they are hearing outside, such as a neighbor or wild animal, or even a critter in the walls that could be bothering them. Looking for a pattern (time of day, certain TV or radio shows on, person coming home, etc) may help you figure out what the trigger is to stop the behavior from happening. Taking a video of the behavior and bringing it to a trainer or behaviorist may also be a good idea to see if they can pick out any details that may provide more information.