Then, when your dog is in a situation where he is usually fearful or anxious, you can redirect his attention by asking him to sit and stay. Counter-conditioning is training the dog to perform a positive behavior in place of fear or anxiety. His ears go straight back, tail tucks under and he can't seem to settle himself. Solution: If an older dog suddenly can’t sleep, take him to the veterinarian for a physical workup. If you can’t, consider hiring a dog walker or providing your dog with a place indoors to eliminate, such as newspapers, a dog litter box or potty pads. He is hiding under the bed, in the closet, does not - Answered by a verified Dog Veterinarian Chances are something is wrong that is interfering with his comfort and not letting him settle down. My dog has had 2 episodes where he is totally wigging out and really scared...which is so unlike him. They may need some extra care during the night or be left in a room with the light on. A restless dog could be a menace to deal with through the night, and it could easily be the cause of many sleepless nights. Your dog may bark, howl or show other nervous behavior when the lights go out. This is why we’ve taken the liberty of providing you with a few reasons for this condition and a few tips on how to handle it. He knows not to jump up there without permission. Chronic pain can also affect a dog’s social interactions, and a quick or aggressive movement to avoid an encounter with an approaching dog … Buster is a beagle mix (or at least we think he is) and he will be 8 yrs old in a few months. If a dog's vision cannot be treated, they may become blind. My dog is suddenly acting very scared. Learn about its causes and how you can transform a panicked pup into a happy hound. Aside from that, a dog not getting enough sleep or one that has trouble falling asleep at night can cause other issues like lethargy and behavioral changes. It’s scaring and perplexing because you don’t know what to expect—it could be anything the matter with your dog. Destructive Behavior Just as with other behavior problems of senior dogs, the underlying cause of destructive behavior needs to be determined in order to provide effective treatment. Has lasted about 1.5 hours. For the past 2 weeks our dog Buddy has been visibly distressed for much of the evening, especially at night. A dog that is suddenly scared or restless at night needs to be treated before the behavior snowballs into a lifetime fear or phobia. He'll lay down in one place then suddenly dart off into another room as if he was spooked by something. He came in from outside and suddenly jumped on the couch. Once the medical issue is tended to, the dog should be able to relax at night. If there is a problem with their vision, it can either be treated or managed. I need some help. A dog which has suddenly become scared of the dark needs to be first taken to the veterinarian for a medical evaluation. Take heart from knowing that you and your dog are not alone -- night anxiety is a common canine malady. Hi there. His first episode started last Wednesday. It was lying right next to me and I was observing it while sleeping then it suddenly woke up screaming. For example, you can teach your dog to sit and stay, and when your dog performs these tasks, you reward him. In my case, the dog woke up screaming during the night.