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12-17-2012, 02:01 PM | #1 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Portugal
Posts: 38
| Yorkie shakes ALL the time... I stayed with my girlfriend in her house while her parents her gone. One thing I noticed about Snoopy is that he shakes all the time. You look at him, he shakes. You take one step, he shakes. He shakes while eating, drinking, even sleeping in front of the fireplace and with us. My girlfriend is worried sick. He's always been like that, according to her (and her first vet said it was normal on small dogs), but apparently it has gotten a lot worse. It has been a hell of a year for him. At least the skin problem went away... I have googled some of the causes for the shaking and the most common were cold, hypoglycemia and stress. While I think that cold may be the reason (his ears are completely freezing and his nose is in that state that while it's not dry, it's not wet either), he's constantly in front of the fireplace and snuggling next to us. Given what I saw while in my internship in the nursing home (graduating in Nursing), I feel it may be dehydration because his ears are always cold and in a strange brownish colour, instead of the normal pink. Hypoglycemia is almost definitely off the table as this dog eats whatever is put in front of him and even licks the floor for crumbs that haven't been scooped up. Stress... well, let's just say this house is not the quiet, peaceful home type. My girlfriend's parents are always stressed about work, work, work, they talk really loud. But Snoopy seems ok with that, so I don't know. Nonetheless, he's going to have a shower tomorrow and then we're going to the vet so we can sort this out. And the hair situation (it's still very brittle). Let's just hope it's not something serious. |
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12-17-2012, 02:57 PM | #2 |
♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas
Posts: 22,140
| Poor little thing! I would have had my dog for a second opinion ASAP. Dogs can shake from pain/suffering, fear, stress, excitement, joy, cold, illness, wanting something badly. He needs a thorough work-up for possible illness or chronic pain first and foremost and, if that is all normal, some positive-reinforcement behavior modification work to get him working learning things, becoming sure of himself and less stressed and possibly fearful. But the first thing is to be sure he's not in chronic pain or suffering from some underlying condition.
__________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |
12-17-2012, 03:33 PM | #3 |
Donating YT 100K Club Member & Top YorkieTalk Poster! Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: western KY
Posts: 108,935
| He maybe very stressed from the noise, some get so nervous from being around loud talkers
__________________ Betty & Micah my love + Yogi |
12-17-2012, 04:11 PM | #4 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Portugal
Posts: 38
| The problem is he's just so lethargic. He gets excited to go outside of course, but at home he just lays around and does nothing, not even with his toys. He only wags his tail when one of us gets home, he's always with his tail hanging low. We both don't know what to do. We're just so worried Edit: I thought about the loud noise. If it was because of that, shouldn't the shaking have stopped, or at least, winded down by now? :s Last edited by zooropean; 12-17-2012 at 04:12 PM. |
12-17-2012, 05:02 PM | #5 |
♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas
Posts: 22,140
| If he is shaking from stress from noise, even when its not going on, he likely knows it could start up at any time and he may be living in a state of apprehension, always fearing and waiting for the next round of it. Many dogs are bought to be lovely companions but many dogs, especially nervous or unsure, insecure dogs, need more than just hanging out being a companion that is walked or played with when it's convenient. They often need meaningful interaction and a sense of purpose to their lives, especially if ridden with nerves and fears. My Tibbe tends to nerves, fears of odd or strange noises, and I keep him involved with most of what I do, talking to him as I do things through the day and inviting his "help" to investigate what I might be working with, letting him sniff, see what's going on. He'll then often go back and lie down to watch, feeling he is "in" on my project. Frequently, I'll walk over to him and show him something, let him sniff it where he is. This keeps an interaction going that gives him a sense of involvement and keeps his tendency to "nerves" at bay. Giving a job to a nervous or stressed dog is one of the kindest things you can do. Playing interactive games such as hiding treats throughout the room and teaching them to "Seek treats" and applauding, celebrating when they do. There are interactive toys at pet shops that hide treats under little doors the dogs can open with their noses to reveal the treat while other doors have no hidden treat. Putting his meals in a series of kong toys so that he has to work and chase the toys to get his food out can keep him thinking about how best to get his food out rather than worrying or stressing. Getting him a little agility jump, a drum to climb up on and some other agility equipment and teaching him how to use it all can keep him happy and busy if done with loving patience. His behavior can also be modified positively by not coddling him or soothing him when he is shaking but by redirecting him to the job of learning obedience and giving him a nice treat when he does the trick. It will involve him in doing something productive and get his mind off his stress as long as the trainer is very upbeat, calm, gives only positive reinforcement and keeps his interest. A thunder shirt might be an option. It is worth a try. Does he have a place where he can go to escape to his own little safe "den" where he can go in and be in private when he needs? Sometimes dogs need an escape - a place to go feel safe. They shouldn't be allowed to stay in there all the time, cowering from life, but it can be a place that helps a nervous, unsure dog have a feeling of at least temporary security. A crate covered on three sides by a blanket or a plastic airline carrier full enclosed with vents and a wire door are good for that. But first and foremost, let the vet check him all over and run tests. It could be that some mild medication could help him as you all begin working with him to give his life a new direction of action and meaning.
__________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |
12-17-2012, 06:34 PM | #6 |
www.yorkierescue.com Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas & Orange County
Posts: 17,408
| ^^^Awesome advice!
__________________ The T.U.B. Pack! Toto, Uni, & Bindi RIP Lord Scrappington Montgomery McLimpybottom aka El Lenguo the Handicapped Ninja 10-12-12 |
12-17-2012, 07:15 PM | #7 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: USA
Posts: 4,285
| Does he get any exercise such as going for walks with you?
__________________ . Cali , and Cali's keeper and staff, Jay No, not a "mini" Yorkie - She loves to motor in her Mini Cooper car |
12-18-2012, 03:37 AM | #8 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Portugal
Posts: 38
| Thank you yorkietalkjilly, we'll definitely use some of that advice. He does have a small crate where he can go to, but he prefers to be on our laps. The thundershirt idea is a good one and I had already thought about it. It feels like he's being embraced by us, so that's definitely a good option. And yes, he takes 2/3 walks every day. We're going to the vet this afternoon, it's our best option. He didn't shake that much before we went to bed last night, but it may be just one episode of "non-shaking". We don't want to take any risks. |
12-18-2012, 07:03 AM | #9 | |
♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas
Posts: 22,140
| Quote:
__________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis | |
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