Most of the time it is easy to figure out what a dog is frightened of. They will hide during thunderstorms or howl when the wind whips up, but what about dogs who are always nervous?

No one has been able to figure out if this dog actually has some genetic issue causing him to appear nervous or if he is hearing something we can't, but my friend's German Shepard just starts shaking for no apparent reason.

Are there medications that can calm dogs with this problem?

DianaR Wrote:Most of the time it is easy to figure out what a dog is frightened of. They will hide during thunderstorms or howl when the wind whips up, but what about dogs who are always nervous?

No one has been able to figure out if this dog actually has some genetic issue causing him to appear nervous or if he is hearing something we can't, but my friend's German Shepard just starts shaking for no apparent reason.

Are there medications that can calm dogs with this problem?

Does he shake all the time? It sounds like a nervous system disorder or something like that. It does not sound much like a fear issue.

I had the most wonderful dog you could ever imagine having, I got him from a family who he decided to adopt. Which they had too many other pets, so I decided to take him. He is a Queenslin Heeler/Aussie Shepard mix. He has some issues, to say it bluntly he was abused previously. When I got him, he was scared of his own shadow, noises, other animals, etc. etc. It broke my heart to see the way he acted. Have you ever heard of a dog's spirit being broken? .. It is totally sad. HE was a very loving dog once he got to know us and when we petted and talked to him lovingly he just ate it up. But still acted as though he did not trust us completely, which is sad, he was treated so badly by (a) human(s) he could not trust ANY human. I would bet my last dollar on the fact until we brought him into our home he NEVER EVER knew what it was like to be part of a loving family! So sad how people can abuse animals!!!!

I agree SpoiledAngel it is horribly sad what some people can do to these innocent little (or not so little) animals. Heartbreaking really... It is good to see that there are still people out there that are willing to take on these animals after the fact and give them a home and love that they probably rarely have ever seen.

How do vets handle nervous dogs?

I assumed there were some treatments meant to ease the symptoms because this has to be a miserable state of mind, if the shaking is due to past abuse. I am secure in saying that the dog isn't abused now.

There are scripts that vets will scribe if the nervous attacks are often and interfere in the animals daily lives. Just contact your vet and explain the problems your pet is having and I am sure they will do everything to help.

That is true animals can take medication for anti-anxiety along with many other meds for issues we once thought only affected humans.