Weird

[Gina]

Ok I need all you dog experts advice here.. Gucci my little yorkie woke up panting and shaking this morning. I couldn't imagine why she was doing this. So I picked her up and tried to calm her and I immediately gave her nutri cal vitamins, just in case she was having low sugar.. Thank God she has not had that since liver shunt operation. Anway about fifteen minutes later she stopped. I went into my daughters room and saw that she had an accident , something she rarely ever does. So I chalked it up to her being nervous that I was going to yell. She really is a smart cookie...lol and knows when she does something wrong.

The day progresses and while I was cooking dinner my smoke alarm went off and she starting panting and shaking and coming by me for me to pick her up... Hummm <thinking> today was one of those days with the weather being bad I stayed home. Early this morning my carbon monoxide detector starting buzzing and I went out and brought a new battery. My husband tonight puts in the new battery and the detector went off and Gucci ran , started panting and shaking and wanted to be held..

I realized that she is afraid of the sound coming from the smoke alarm and the carbon monoxide detector which both went off today. My husband says I baby her, how do I do that??? Do any of your dogs do this? Is this normal?? OMG does she need therapy??? lol .. Any imput ladies.. Help!!!

[Tink]

Awww poor Gucci

When we react like you describe to a dogs fear, rather than reassuring them, we're confirming to them that it WAS something to be stressed about. They look to us for protection and guidance and by pampering them when they get upset, what we're really doing is building on their fear rather than alleviating it.

Next time she's freaking out over something harmless, ignore her and go to whatever is scaring her and show her you're not afraid of it so she sees there is nothing to fear. she should follow your lead.

Just remember she's a dog... so you can't expect her to react with human emotions or reasoning.

[Mandy]

Bless het little heart.

When she shows fear next time, pull out her favorite toy, or treat to take her mind off, pretend nothing is wrong, and you dont notice her being scared, because you are happy. These dogs are tricky, and if you pamper her, shes going to start shaking for no reason to get you attention.
I know Gucci has a liver condition, so please make sure it's not an underlaying issue (which i doubt) but better be on the safe side.
Sometimes we need to use reverse psychology on them LOL

Good luck

[DianaB]

Reuger doesn't do the panting but he will sit and shake for what seems like no reason. He's scared of so much but at times tries to act brave. When he sits on my lap he'll start shaking. I don't know what causes it but I try to ignore it. If he's on my lap I'll just put my hand on his back and that seems to comfort him. You probably should check with a vet and make sure that it's not a medical problem for Gucci, especially since she's been so sick lately.

[Janet]

I've never had any of mine shake or anything like that. It does seem like you've been given some great advice from Tink, Mandy and Diana. I also think you need to make sure it's not some underlying issue. Seems we have plenty of Dog Whisperer's right here...yay!!!!

[Gina]

Ladies thanks for the advice. I did call the vet hospital where I take Gucci and the tech said it sounds more of a behavioral issue. Next visit I will run it by her vet. She was fine yesterday, and I brought a new detector and was putting the battery in and she heard the sound. I did as you all suggested and it was not bad at all... She stopped I didn't pamper her and gave her a treat to show her that it was ok...

Because of her past issues I do over protect her. I love her as my own as you all can relate to this feeling...