Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :
A. There is not much information here but any dog which is lethargic and shaking should be treated as an emergency and may need intravenous fluids and medications

How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :

Shivering/shaking and lethargy/fatigue are symptoms that indicate your dog is sick and/or in pain. The cause is likely fever, ingesting poison, trauma (a physical injury), a virus (parvo or distemper), or an organ disorder (liver or kidney disease).
Shivering and trembling may be symptoms of something serious — like poisoning, kidney disease, or injury. So, if your dog suddenly starts trembling or shivering, it`s important to take note of other symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, or limping. Then talk to your vet right away.
If you`re unable to let your dog out to pee after every six to eight hours, then you`ll be glad to know that dogs may be able to hold their pee for up to ten to fifteen hours. However, forcing some dogs to hold their pee may lead to serious bladder or kidney problems like urinary tract infections or urinary stones.
Shaking or trembling are common signs of fear, anxiety, and stress in dogs. Causes are unique to your pet—some dogs tremble only at the veterinarian, while others start shaking the second a stranger looks their way.
Some of the signs of parvovirus include lethargy; loss of appetite; abdominal pain and bloating; fever or low body temperature (hypothermia); vomiting; and severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and damage to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock.
Shaking limbs can signify neural distress, poisoning, kidney failure, distemper, pain, or weakness. You must speak with your veterinarian or neurologist right away.
A dog who suddenly can`t or won`t lie down, has labored breathing when lying down, or assumes the “praying position” of lying down with his bum in the air, may be experiencing pain or discomfort due to a serious medical condition: pancreatitis, bloat, or heart disease, for example.
Lethargy and exercise intolerance are symptoms of a problem, not a condition by themselves. The type of care your dog needs will depend on the condition with which they`re diagnosed. Depending on the vet`s assessment, your pooch might recover and return to their former levels of activity.
Wincing, Whining or Crying

All three of these actions indicate an injury or some kind of pain your dog is experiencing. If you start to pet your dog and they shy away from your hand or whine, you know there is something wrong.

Dogs can go for 8 to 10 hours without urinating overnight, while sleeping. However, all dogs need to be taken out after a meal or a drink, upon waking up and after a period of play. Health: Urinary frequency in dogs will vary due to factors such as age, sex, body size and overall health.
Dogs and cats do catch colds, and their symptoms are just like humans. Both may have discharge from their noses, “wet” or labored breathing from congestion, sneezing (especially wet sneezes), watery eyes and lethargy (napping more, showing low energy). The cold symptoms will likely last 5-10 days.
Should your dog experience kidney failure or chronic kidney disease, his potassium levels may be low, leading to muscle weakness and tremors. Also known as hypoadrenocorticism, Addison`s disease occurs due to a decrease in the secretion of corticosteroid from the dog`s adrenal gland.
Summary of Kidney Failure in Dogs

Acute kidney failure happens suddenly, and if caught and treated quickly, can be reversed. While there is no cure for chronic kidney failure, symptoms can be minimized with fluid therapy and diet changes.

What are the typical signs of pain in dogs? General behaviour: Shaking, flattened ears, low posture, aggression, grumpy temperament, panting or crying, excessive licking or scratching a specific area, reluctant to play, interact or exercise, lameness (limping), stiffness after rest, loss of appetite.
Symptoms can include collapsing, jerking, stiffening, muscle twitching, loss of consciousness, drooling, chomping, tongue chewing, or foaming at the mouth. Dogs can fall to the side and make paddling motions with their legs. They sometimes poop or pee during the seizure. They are also not aware of their surroundings.
If your dog is extremely lethargic and has stopped eating, get them to the vet ASAP, even if the other symptoms have not manifested yet. Here are some of the main body languages to watch for if you think your pup might have Parvo: Whining. Shaking.
The survival rate for hospitalization is 90%. The survival rate for at-home care is 50%.
One of the most common causes of tremors in dogs is white shaker syndrome. This condition is most often seen in small breeds of dogs, especially those with white fur. White shaker syndrome is thought to be an immune-mediated disorder that causes the body to attack its own nerves.
Dogs that have ataxia may fall, have difficulty walking, walk in circles, or tilt their heads. You may notice that your dog`s eyes flutter side to side or up and down. Vestibular ataxia can make your dog feel dizzy and nauseated and may cause vomiting.
It is a state of being exhausted, with little to no energy, and it tends to linger. In some cases, lethargy may be due to certain life situations and lifestyle habits, but it can also be a symptom of certain diseases and health conditions. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Bodily pain can make it impossible for your pooch to lay down. They may choose to sit up or get into an awkward position to avoid it. Issues like arthritis, hip dysplasia, and back pain are all common causes. They may also be experiencing internal ailments like gastrointestinal upsets, Lyme disease, or pancreatitis.
Encourage Age-Appropriate Exercise

There are plenty of exercises that energize senior dogs and improve their health, like walking, swimming, or a gentle game of fetch or tug-of-war. You might also consider dog sports suited for dogs with reduced mobility and stamina.

A tired dog is simply in need of a bit of rest. A lethargic dog, on the other hand, lacks the energy to complete normal, daily dog tasks. Signs of lethargy include lack of appetite, shortness of breath, and dramatic change in behavior. One simple reason for lethargy in dogs is warm weather.
Creating a Comfortable Environment for your Sick Dog

One of the best things you can provide for your dog is a comfortable, familiar environment to relax in. During times of stress, dogs love to be in an area that they know well, and preferably as close to you as possible.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Q. Has been home now for 6 hrs, still shaking, acting lethargic, did go out and pee after coaxing.
ANSWER : A. There is not much information here but any dog which is lethargic and shaking should be treated as an emergency and may need intravenous fluids and medications

Read Full Q/A … : My dog is acting strange, hides under the bed – Questions …

Q. What is the best way to train your dog on a pee pad? He can go on the pee pad if I bring him to the pad if I don’t he makes an accident.
ANSWER : A. Train your dog using a positive reinforcement method. Since your dog will use the pad when you bring it to him, reward him immediately for urinating on the pad. First, teach your dog to associate the word “good” with a treat (or use a special device called a “clicker” in place of a verbal “good”). Then, say “good” or “click” when you dog urinates on the pee pad and reward him as soon as he finishes. Repeat this training over and over until your dog understands that peeing on the pad equals reward. Then, begin to move the pad away from your dog and bring him to the pad wherever it is. Again, reward when he goes on the pad. It is all about making it “fun” to pee on the pad (reward) and not fun to pee anywhere else (no reward). To learn more about “clicker training” and/or positive reinforcement training, I recommend purchasing a good book on training using positive reinforcement techniques. Or, I or another of the experts on this site, would be happy to consult with you to guide you through the steps and make this a positive experience for both you and your dog.

Read Full Q/A … : How To Train A Puppy To Pee On A Pad – Canine Crib. Dog breed …

Q. Husband shamed dog for having an accident inside, and now she won’t poop when he takes her out. Can we fix this? He realizes he erred
ANSWER : A. Good on your husband for realizing that scolding is not the way to potty train! Hopefully these tips can help both him and your pup get back on the right track and make pottying outside successful.

If your dog is still a puppy, that is good news as you may be able to more easily time your potty outings with your dog’s schedule. Even if your dog is older, this schedule may help. Dogs generally have to go potty about 15 minutes after eating, drinking, waking up or playing. Knowing this, get your husband to start taking out your puppy at these key times, so puppy gets used to going out with him, and the urge to potty may be higher than any fear to go. If the potty is successful, have your husband reward the dog with a favorite treat! For bowel movements, dogs may take a little more time, and you may have to stand outside for a while (sometimes even 10 minutes) to give your dog a chance to go. If she doesn’t go, take her back inside and play some, then try again in about 15 minutes. Again, a success equals a treat which most dogs will like right away!

For any indoor potty accidents that occurred, an enzymatic cleaner is great for cleaning up urine and stool. Not only does it remove the stain and smell, but it breaks down the enzymes in the urine and stool your dog can smell, which may deter her from going potty there again.

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Q. My cat will not eat the renal food my veterinarian recommended, can I feed a grocery store food?
ANSWER : A. Your veterinarian recommended a therapeutic kidney diet because it has ingredients that will help slow the progression of your cat’s conditions, especially phosphorus and lower protein levels. Many of the non-prescription or grocery store foods generally have high levels of phosphorus and would not be ideal for your cat.

To help your cat accept the new food It is important to do a transition. There are two reasons to do a transition:

1) Occasionally a pet will have a GI upset when switched to a new diet,

2) A pet will accept a new food better when a transition is done to allow the pet to get use to the new texture and flavor.

There is more of a chance with a hydrolyzed protein or different (high or low) fiber level food to cause a GI upset. Transition recommendation:

1) Recommend ¾ old diet – ¼ new diet

2) Do this for a few days; if no GI upset, go to the next step

3) ½ old diet – ½ new diet

4) Do this for a few days; if no GI upset, go to the next step

5) ¼ old diet – ¾ new diet

6) Do this for a few days; if no GI upset, go to the next step

7) End with 100% of the new food.

Sometimes a transition should be longer, especially for cats. Use the same recommendation, but instead of a few days, recommend doing each step for a week or more. If you cat is still not interested in the new diet you can research other non-prescription diets focusing on the labels for appropriate levels of phosphorus and protein.

Also, home cooking may be an option but make sure to provide adequate nutrients. A good website to consult is balanceit.com. This website helps you to create well balanced home cooked recipes and offers supplements to add into the diet.

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Q. My 12 year old male cat has been peeing all over the house. I took him to the vet, he has no UTI, his kidneys are fine, I’m at a loss as to what to do
ANSWER : A. It sounds as though he may be stressed out. Has something changed recently either in the home or around the home? Visitors? New furniture? A move? Perhaps there are stray cats or dogs outside of the home. I would evaluate what may have changed recently, clean each accident with an enzymatic cleaner to thoroughly remove the odor because animals still can smell and go to the same areas again if not broken down by enzymes, consider adding an extra litter box or 2 near the areas where the accidents are taking place, plug in a Feliway diffuser, give constructive outlets such as playing with a wand toy, catnip infused toys, etc. I hope that helps.

Read Full Q/A … : Why Is My Cat Peeing in the House?

Q. My dog isnt eating his biscuits and is shaking a little. He wants to cuddle a lot. I think somethings wrong with his stomach. Constipated often.. 🙁
ANSWER : A. Sounds like your dog has some gastrointestinal distress going on. Frequent constipation is kind of an unusual thing to see in dogs, but certainly if that’s going on it can cause discomfort and nausea. Adding fiber to his diet may help in the long run, however it’s probably not going to help right now, since he’s not eating. I would recommend taking him in to see your vet ASAP, as these are kind of general signs you’re describing and many things could be going on. He needs a good exam by your vet and possibly some lab work and/or x-rays to help figure out what’s going on and how to help him. If he’s got a blockage from chronic constipation your vet can give him an enema for relief.

Read Full Q/A … : Some Common Reasons Why Your Dog Won't Eat

Q. My puppy refuses to walk outside on the leash. This only happens when we’re outside… Is it stubbornness or fear?
ANSWER : A. It is never stubbornness. Dogs are not stubborn, they can’t be. Dogs do not generalize well, and dogs display fearful behavior that appears to be stubbornness. Absolutely NEVER force this dog to walk outside when he is uncomfortable with doing so.. the more you force him to do it, opposition reflex – the more he will resist. The more he resists and is forced into it, the less he learns about being comfortable, and the more he becomes fearful of you and of the situation.

What you can do is carry extremely high value treats outside with you. Things like cooked white meat chicken, cooked fish, turkey pepperoni, turkey bacon, diced ham, mozzarella cheese sticks – all cut up into tiny little pea-sized pieces. You can also use peanut butter in a squeeze tube. First, put on the leash indoors and begin feeding him the treats. Help him make positive associations with having the leash put on. Then, take the leash off, and start over in 10min. Put the leash on, feed treats, walk to the door, open the door, feed treats, close door, take off leash. Start over in 10min. Put on leash, feed treats, go to door, feed treats, open door, feed treats, go outside, feed tons of treats and praise. Keep Titus in his comfort zone. If he doesn’t want to go far, just feed him tons of treats where he IS comfortable going. Make sure everything is calm/happy/positive. I bet in a week of doing this, he will be happy with walk further and further all of the time. If ever he is uncomfortable, feed him lots of treats for being a brave boy, and then turn around and go back home. It’s all about keeping him in his comfort zone.. it’s all about remaining within his threshold and never forcing him to feed uncomfortable.

This is very common for puppies. The world is scary! It’s brand new to them, and it’s up to you to make their interactions and discoveries positive, happy, calm, and to never force them into anything.

Read Full Q/A … : My Puppy Won’t Walk on Leash! 3 Ways to Train Your Puppy to …

Q. My 9 week old puppy uses the bathroom outside and then goes again as soon as I bring him into the house. Is this normal?
ANSWER : A. Puppies are good at getting distracted and forgetting to empty themselves completely. Try taking him to a low distraction area and stand still, he may stop and go a few times before getting completely empty.

Also feeding on a schedule will help you know when he has to go. Keeping a chart that tracks when he goes can help you get him out on time and see your progress.

If you keep a chart and it seems like he’s going excessively (pups go a lot, but there’s normal puppy a lot, and way to much) the chart can also help you and your vet determine if there may be a medical issue going on. An underlying medical issue such as a UTI will impede even the best housetraining efforts.

Read Full Q/A … : My Puppy Pees Outside Then Pees Inside – Puppy In Training

joliana smith

My name is Sarah Smith and I am a dog owner, lover, and trainer. I have been working with dogs for over 10 years and have a passion for helping them learn and grow. I am a certified dog trainer and specialize in positive reinforcement methods. I believe that all dogs can learn and that the best way to train them is to build a strong relationship based on trust and respect.