Greetings.  I have a six year old Miniature Schnauzer male.  Since I've had him he's been a wonderful friend and companion and has been active and inquisitive.  Last night his mood completely changed.  He became almost fearful of everything and spent all evening cowering on my bed (not his usual place to sleep).  When I set him on the floor to go to bed he would stand with his paws on the bed and "pat" my arm to be lifted up.  This is completely foriegn behavior for him.  Needless to say I was up most of the evening with him.

Today he was a little better during the day but again this evening the behavior has repeated itself.  He seems almost fearful and I've noticed him even trembling a few times.  This is very upsetting for me as I've never seen behavior like this.  He doesn't have any health issues that I'm aware of and he's always been very outgoing.  This is a drastic change in personality and behavior in a matter of 24 hours.   Nothing happend that I can think of that would cause this the last few days have been very "normal" as usual.

Any suggestions?

ErikMesa  :(

Any change of behaviour should be viewed with suspision. Dogs do not change without a reason. Ther are also a very stoic animal who rarely make a fuss. Often it is only the change to a clingy, or maybe a fearful or even an un-naturally agressive attitude which tips us off to a problem. There could be pain there somewhere. They cannot tell us and it is often only these little signs which we have to go on. I really feel that a trip to the vet is called for.

Regards, John

Hi, I also have a mini schnauzer, and I am sure the good people on this board will be able to help, but if not why not try www.schnauzerclub.freeserve.co.uk.  I do feel John is right when he say's that sometimes a change of way's is the only sign of pain. Viv

Whenever a dog changes from its normal behaviour, it's best to rule out medical causes first (unless there is something really obvious - many dogs will change during the firework season for example, it's when the behaviour does not revert to normal after the stimulus has stopped you need to be concerned)

You do need to be aware of not rewarding the behaviour so it become a habit even after the dog is pronounced fit and well however - so the quicker a vet is seen, the quicker you know wether he deserves a bit of spoiling which can be managed, or wether he's just learnt to pull your strings ;)

Erika, your dog needs to see a vet. I have seen this behaviour in dogs in pain and also dogs who have seizures. Let the vet check him over and rule these things out first and then you can proceed from there.

Like everyone else I would suggest that you get this dog straight to your vet, he is trying to tell you in the only way he can, than something is wrong.

Unless you can pinpoint an incident that has frightened him, then my feelings are that there may be a physical problem, most likely pain of some sort. 

Phone your Vet now!!!

I agree.  If all is found to be well at the Vet, my other thought would be fireworks around new year.  A dog as it ages may find it's hearing deterirate slightly and many previously rock solid dogs become sound sensitive and fearfull of thunder, fireworks Gunfire etc.

Thank you for all the replies I appreciate it.  My dog is truly my best friend and this is very unsettling. 

There really hasn't been gunfire or fireworks around here its a very quiet neighborhood.  I had him to grooming Friday before this started but I was there with him and that evening he was fine (this behavior started Saturday night).  Maybe the other dogs there barking traumatized him somehow?  It hasn't in the past but maybe this time was different.

He's still acting this way this morning.  It's almost as if he's afraid of something in the Living Room of my home.  In the bedroom last night he slept fine (with the door closed).  In the morning when I opened the door he became "fearful" again.  He didn't even want to go outside and I had to carry him to the Living Room to put his lead on.  He was shivering noticably.  Once outside he was basically OK but upon return to the house indoors the same behavior reappeared with him running into the study and hiding under my desk.

I'll try to get him into the vet although to be honest I've never found her a big help.  It seems most vets are alot like human doctors (not that I disrespect doctors) and its more trial and error then anything.  The added fact the dog can't "talk" and tell the vet what hurts makes it even more uncertain.   I guess I'm just not that optimistic.

I'll try and get him in today. 

Erik

If there is one specific room he's scared of, it may be worth getting the electrics checked out - I've known dogs scared of a room because they've received an electric shock from a floorboard nail shorting out a mains cable, or there has been a wiring fault that has made something 'live'.......

Haveyou had anybody to stay over the Christmas period that isn't well. One year on scents at champ leval the dogs wouldn't pick up the judges cloth onbody could understand this but it came to light a few days later that the judge was not well. Only a long shot, if you can't find any other reason for it. Hope the poor little chap or chapess is better soon. Please let us know. Viv

I feel for you.  I have a greyhound who for the past 2 1/2 years has been fine, now he seems to have lost the plot.  I used to be able to leave him when I went to work (coming home at lunch and walking him) and returning home at 5:30, he sometimes didn't even look up when i left.  Now for the past 3 weeks he has destroyed the house (almost).  He doesn't want me to leave him, he really starts shaking, his teeth even rattle, i have to fight to get out the door.  He usually is very laid back (being a greyhound).  He is trying to chew his way out the front door.  I feel very sorry for him, I've even arranged a dog sitter starting from monday, but I really would like to know what has gotten into him.  He was at the vets a short time before with a bad leg, i called and asked if the medication could be doing it, they said no. So what is wrong with him?