I have a two year old pug who was attacked by another dog about a year ago. Since that time, about once a month, in the middle of the night, he wakes up snarling and barking andon the attack. In his waking life he would not hurt a fly. What can I do to stop this?
2006-12-27 11:30:30 · 4 answers · asked by melissa d 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Thanks for the answers. He walks for about two hours a day - and walks with friendly dogs with his walker. We also have his dog friends come over from time to time for play dates. He is not afraid of other dogs. He is really scary when he has one of these nightmares. He is such a sweet and obedient dogs during the day. I am afraid one night he might bite me by accident. Do you think he has PTSD? I have noticed that he tends to have these nightmares on days where we passed a mean dog on the street or something. What can I do?
2006-12-27 12:02:56 · update #1
Socialize your dog as much as possible with other dogs that are "safe". You may already be doing this, but as many positive interactions as possible with other dogs is very helpful.
My dog was also attacked as a puppy while on leash, by an off leash large breed dog. It affected her to and what helped me was to start taking her to dog parks when it wasn't very busy and then build up to more and more exposure to dogs she does not know.
Frequent walks helped too.
I don't know if that experience is why your dog still wakes up at night on occasion like he is doing, where he is snarling and barking. But maybe increasing his socialization will help?
2006-12-27 11:37:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is not much you can do but I do this with mine. When he wakes me up having one of his bad dreams. I just comfort him and tell him its ok. I will not let anything happen to him. Just love him and give him lots of reassuance and he will get better as the memory fades. Its been 4 years since my dog got hurt and he had one episode of a bad dream this year. It just take lots of comfort and love. But you do have to talk to them like you would any child. They understand...Good luck
2006-12-27 19:37:12 · answer #2 · answered by Marilyn M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog always whines and whimpers in her sleep. it is normal for dogs to have nightmares. But if your dog always does this, take him/her to go do something nice and exiting to take their mind off of the nightmare.
2006-12-27 19:33:40 · answer #3 · answered by Alicia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask the vet if he should have a little phenobarbital.
2006-12-27 19:36:50 · answer #4 · answered by beez 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋