Hello,

My dog has been waking up in the middle of the night shaking and scared. He walk to my daughter's room, doesn't go in, and comes back to my side of the bed shaking. He then walks to my husband's side and does the same thing for about two hours, back and forth, back and forth? What could be wrong?

Sounds ridiculous but I had a dog, a rescue, and she had night terrors. It's the same as night terrors in children - or so said the Vet. She would fall asleep, have a nightmare, be frightened and then whine and pace and be agitated and nervous. She eventually outgrew it but when it went on for more than 3 days in a row I gave her a tranquilizer at bedtime.

Has the Vet checked your dog for a physical problem?

How old is he and how long have you had him? How big is he? Is he generally timid? Does he have the run of the whole house?

Some ideas:
He's in pain from illness or injury or old age and needs comfort in the night.
Dogs about to die sometimes act needy and scared.
A pet door left unlocked at night might be letting wild animals in who are eating dog food and leaving without your knowledge.
Some sound you can't hear is scaring him - from a basement or neighbor or outside.

Coby is 4 years old, he is a loving dog, loves people, kids, and has never had any problems. He's been with us ever since he was a baby, my kids adore him, and he adores them. He is very protective of my daughter and always sleeps in her room, besides these two incidents... Maybe he is having night terrors.. he did seem agitated, nervous and paces a lot... for a few hours, this morning after a horrible night with him, we woke up to him laid out in his bed sleeping peacefully... Thanks for the feedback... I'll continue to confort him unless it gets out of control, then I will take him to see the vet, or I'll just call him... doesn't hurt...

Thanks Again..

When you comfort him I would be very matter of fact, tell him it's okay (or whatever word/words you use to calm him) and then go back to sleep. Sometimes the attention he gets from this behavior is his reward!

I was very matter of fact but firm.