Shih Tzus are affectionate, extroverted, and playful companions that genuinely relish human company. If you’ve been a Shih Tzu owner for any period of time, you know just how special these lively charmers can be. That’s why it can be so terrifying if your little fur buddy starts exhibiting strange behaviors like shaking.
Many things can cause a Shih Tzu to begin shaking. They may be trembling to express emotions like excitement or fear, or they may not be in control of the shaking at all due to a health condition or their age.
Read on to find 11 common reasons why your Shih Tzu is shaking and what you need to do when you see them exhibit this behavior.
The 11 Reasons Your Shih Tzu Is Shaking
1. They’re Excited
It doesn’t take much to make a Shih Tzu excited. Even just walking in the door at the end of your workday is enough to make some pups so happy they’ll tremble or even urinate from the excitement.
Your Shih Tzu’s enthusiasm toward you is completely normal (and adorable) as long as their excitement shakes aren’t accompanied by any concerning body language.
- How to Help Over-Excited Shih Tzus
While shaking with excitement can be normal, you still may want to address your pup’s overexcitement, especially if it’s also causing them to urinate inappropriately.
To calm overexcited pups, try to ignore their enthusiasm and redirect them to a more desirable behavior. For example, ask them to sit. Once they follow through, offer praise and reward them with something they love (e.g., a treat or praise).
2. They’re Afraid or Anxious
If your pup begins trembling after a triggering event (e.g., fireworks, sirens, or a visit to the vet), chances are they’re shaking due to fear or stress.
- How to Help Anxious or Fearful Shih Tzus
Your job as a pet owner is to determine what’s triggering your pet. If it’s something you can control, you can remove your dog’s access to it. For example, if you know your Shih Tzu is terrified of fireworks, you can take them into a quiet room far from windows and doors on July 4th.
Some cases of anxiety may be so severe that medical intervention may be necessary. There are several medications your veterinarian can prescribe to address an overanxious Shih Tzu.
3. They’re Nauseous
Dogs can shake when they’re feeling queasy. Nausea is often accompanied by other signs, including restlessness, panting, drooling, gulping air, and retching.
Shih Tzus can become nauseous for a number of reasons, though the most common include eating something they shouldn’t have, parasites, viral infections, and stress.
- How to Help Nauseous Shih Tzus
If your pup appears to be nauseous but doesn’t exhibit any other signs, you may be able to get away with monitoring the situation from home. If they resume their regular activities after a few hours, it’s likely the problem has resolved itself.
However, if other concerning signs accompany your Shih Tzu’s nausea or if they’re actively throwing up, call your veterinarian and make an appointment. Your vet may recommend testing like bloodwork and urine samples as a jumping-off point as they seek a diagnosis.
4. They’re Aging
Some dogs will develop tremors in their legs as they age due to weakening muscles or arthritis. Pups who are into their golden years may also exhibit other signs of aging, such as changes in weight, vision or hearing loss, reduction of mental acuity, and changes in sleep patterns.
- How to Help Aging Shih Tzus
It’s essential to keep up with your annual wellness exams as your dog ages, as they may become prone to certain conditions like cancer, heart disease, hearing loss, blindness, and more. The more information your veterinarian has about your dog before they begin showing signs of their age, the faster they’ll be able to pick up on slight nuances in their health and behavior that may indicate an issue.
Your vet may recommend making some changes in your pup’s environment to keep them safe as their bodies change.
5. They’re in Pain or Ill
Shih Tzus may respond to pain or illness with trembling. Shivering can be a sign of severe health conditions like hypoglycemia or distemper, but it may also be a result of something much less severe, like an upset tummy.
Dogs in pain will typically exhibit other signs, including flattened ears, low posture, irritability, aggression, crying, reluctance to play, lameness, and loss of appetite.
- How to Help a Shih Tzu in Pain
If you believe your Shih Tzu is in pain, the best thing you can do for them is to take them to your veterinarian.
They will conduct tests to identify the cause of your pup’s pain and develop a treatment plan to restore your pet’s full health.
Individuals with more severe symptoms will require hospitalization for IV fluid therapy to raise their blood sugar levels.
11. They Want Attention
Shih Tzus are intelligent little dogs, and if they have previously received your attention by shaking, they may continue to do so to get the same response.
- How to Assist a Shih Tzu Seeking Attention
While it may be easy to give your dog the attention they seek, reinforcing attention-seeking behaviors can become problematic. However, you can prevent such behaviors by ensuring that all of your dog’s needs are met. Begin by dedicating time every day to play with them and take them outside to expend excess energy.
Another effective method to curb attention-seeking behaviors like shaking is to teach your dog alternative behaviors. Show them a more appropriate way to get what they want and reward them for good behavior. For instance, if your Shih Tzu starts shaking when you return home from work, teach them to sit to greet you and reward them with a treat every time they sit instead of shake when you come in.
Final Thoughts
Shaking can be a harmless behavior or a sign of a more serious health issue. It is crucial to consider the circumstances in which your dog is shaking. If they shake when you return home from work, it may be due to excitement or a desire for attention after a period of separation.
However, if shaking is accompanied by other unusual symptoms, a visit to the vet is recommended to rule out any potential health problems.
Featured Image Credit: Kirsten Thompson, Shutterstock
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