I need some help. In my case, the dog woke up screaming during the night. Solution: If an older dog suddenly can’t sleep, take him to the veterinarian for a physical workup. 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. My dog is suddenly acting very scared. For example, you can teach your dog to sit and stay, and when your dog performs these tasks, you reward him. Learn about its causes and how you can transform a panicked pup into a happy hound. If there is a problem with their vision, it can either be treated or managed. His ears go straight back, tail tucks under and he can't seem to settle himself. Hi there. A restless dog could be a menace to deal with through the night, and it could easily be the cause of many sleepless nights. If a dog's vision cannot be treated, they may become blind. He is hiding under the bed, in the closet, does not - Answered by a verified Dog Veterinarian He came in from outside and suddenly jumped on the couch. Take heart from knowing that you and your dog are not alone -- night anxiety is a common canine malady. For the past 2 weeks our dog Buddy has been visibly distressed for much of the evening, especially at night. A dog which has suddenly become scared of the dark needs to be first taken to the veterinarian for a medical evaluation. 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. Once the medical issue is tended to, the dog should be able to relax at night. Counter-conditioning is training the dog to perform a positive behavior in place of fear or anxiety. It was lying right next to me and I was observing it while sleeping then it suddenly woke up screaming. Chances are something is wrong that is interfering with his comfort and not letting him settle down. 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. His first episode started last Wednesday. 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. Chronic pain can also affect a dog’s social interactions, and a quick or aggressive movement to avoid an encounter with an approaching dog … Your dog may bark, howl or show other nervous behavior when the lights go out. 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. Has lasted about 1.5 hours. 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