Jason Morgan 
If you are a new Dobie parent, then watching your Dobie shaking or acting nervous can be stressful and challenging for you. And it is very natural to think about what’s wrong with Doberman and why it is happening. There are the different cause why Dobermans may shake, tremble or behave anxiously. Shaking is considered normal canine behavior and physiological response, but sometimes shaking can be a sign of potentially severe health problems. Hence it is essential to know the exact reason behind Doberman’s shaking and how to prevent it.
Below we have mentioned a few common reasons for Doberman shaking and preventives majors to deal with this issue.
Doberman will often shake due to suffering from cold, pain, excitement, fear, and stress. But if your Dobie is involuntarily shaking and if it is only limited to their head. Then it might be possible that your Doberman suffers from head bobbing or tremor. This is a common disease among Dobermans and is generally considered harmless. Let’s discuss this in detail below.
Common Reasons behind Doberman Shaking
There are several reasons a Doberman might be shaking its whole body or head. Anxiety, frustration, boredom, and suffering from cold are vital reasons Dobermans shiver or shake their bodies. They might also shake their bodies due to stress, excitement, age, etc. A few common causes are given below:
Cold
Despite having a muscular body, Doberman feels the cold easily. They have a single-layer coat and lean body with fewer body fats, because of which they struggle to keep themselves warm during winter. When Dobermans suffer from cold, they often shiver or shake themselves to increase their body temperature. The shaking can be slight body tremors or violent shaking. You must have encountered this if you live in a cold region.
Suppose you notice that your Doberman is staying close to a fireplace or air vent, understand that they are suffering from a cold. You can easily handle this situation by warming up your Doberman.
Boredom & Frustration
Another cause of Doberman shaking is because he is bored, understimulated, and frustrated. Shaking is not solely happening due to boredom, but this can be considered one of the most common signs of boredom and frustration. Dobermans are highly active dogs and crave physical and mental stimulation to burn their pent-up energy. Physical activity & mental stimulation is considered to be effective way to calm a Doberman.
Anticipation of Daily Events
Dobermans quickly get accustomed to their daily routine and will sense when certain events are coming up. Events like dinner time, playtime, training session, morning or evening walk time, when you come back from work, and so on. To show their anticipation, Doberman also shakes or trembles. This behavior is not a matter of concern, and you don’t need to worry about it. It is completely a normal response from your Dobie.
Pain
Dobermans do not adequately communicate with their owner when they are in pain and shivering, or shaking can be the first noticeable sign that a Dobie owner can notice when your Dobie is going through pain. If your Dobie is shaking, it might be possible that he is experiencing any pain.
If you think that Doberman is shaking due to pain, start examining their body to check whether they have any outer injuries such as cuts, redness, swelling, or anything else. Dobermans will either shake the only area where he is experiencing pain or the whole body. If you notice any injuries, do the required treatment, but if you cannot identify why he is shaking his whole body, then consult a veterinarian.
Stress, Anxiety, or Fear
The Doberman breed is prone to experience heightened stress, anxiety, or fear, which may cause your Dobie to shiver. Doberman is very protective and very alert. They can read the situation and act accordingly. Due to their high level of alertness, they experience high anxiety. If you think your Dobie is suffering from stress, anxiety, or fear, try to move them from the situation that is causing worry and stress to him.
Dobies who haven’t received enough socialization can also suffer from anxiety. In that case, try to build their confidence by gradually increasing your Dobies’ exposure to new experiences, sounds, and environments.
Disease or Illness
It is another significant cause why Dobermans shake their body. If you notice shaking, along with weakness, rapid heartbeats, redness in gums, and unconsciousness, then it is a sign that your Dobie is suffering from any illness or disease. If you suspect your Dobbie is suffering from any kind of disease, do their medical check by a professional vet.
Excitement
Dobermans also shake their body out of excitement such they will move their body accompanied by jumping, running in circles, and other movements. If they are only shaking their body when they see you after a long time, when you are getting ready to take them out for a walk, or you are giving them their favorite treat, then they are doing it out of excitement. But if you notice a small, fast tremor when your Dobie is sitting still or laying down, it might not result from excitement.
Seizure
Doberman suffering from seizures also shiver their body. If you see that your Dobie is shaking with seized muscles, doesn’t aware of his surroundings, and has a loss of mobility, it might be a sign that your Dobie is experiencing a seizure or might be a form of epilepsy. In this case, it is recommended to visit a vet as soon as possible.
Inherited Condition
Dobermans are prone to suffer from head tremors or head bobbing. This is believed to be an inherited or genetic condition in the breed. The reason behind this is still unknown, but it is very common in Dobermans. These are painless, harmless, and temporary. If you think your Dobie is experiencing head tremors, try to distract him with a treat or play games with them.
Senior Doberman Shaking
Every Doberman shakes its body for various reasons; however, senior dogs are a little more fragile than other dogs. A few common reasons that cause shaking in elderly Dobermans are given below.
- Arthritis- Dobermans suffering from Arthritis will shake when they are in pain. If you think your Dobie is experiencing pain due to Arthritis, look for other signs such as reduced mobility and discomfort. Contact with a veterinarian and provide your Dobie the required treatment for this disease.
- Muscle Pain- As mentioned above, Dobermans often shiver due to pain, and with age, they will start experiencing more muscle pain than usual. After strenuous exercise or cardio activity, if your Dobie is shaking, he is experiencing muscle pain. Allow him to rest, and even after taking adequate rest, if your Dobie is still experiencing pain, then consult with a Vet.
How to Stop Your Doberman shaking?
As now you know the various reasons why Doberman shakes their body, let’s discuss how to stop your Doberman shaking.
- Exercise is one the best way to stop your Doberman from shaking. Dobermans are active dogs and require at least 1 to 2 hours of exercise daily to use their energies.
- Like physical activity, Doberman also needs mental stimulation to prevent shivering or shaking. You can provide mental stimulation by giving them training, teaching socialization, playing puzzle games, and so on.
- If you leave your Dobie alone for a long time, they will become bored and may start shaking their body out of boredom. To avoid these issues, try to spend maximum time with them. If you don’t have that much time to spend with them, hire a pet sitter who will look after them in your absence.
- If your Dobie is shaking for a short period, try to distract them by playing games and giving them treats.
- Do their regular check-ups to know why they are shaking. A professional and experienced vet can tell you exactly why your Dobie is shaking and what needs to be done.
When to Call a Vet
Shaking and shivering are very common among Dobermans, and as a Dobie parent, you don’t need to worry about this much. However, if you notice any other signs along with shaking, you should take your Dobie for a medical check-up. A few examples are
- If the stool is soft or runny
- If the urine is unusual in color and has a foul odor
- If the Dobie has increased the frequency of pooping and peeing
- If your Dobie is limping or vomiting
Then take your Dobie to a vet.
Bottom Line
There are several reasons why a Doberman shakes his body. Overall it is normal for a Doberman to shake and shiver on different occasions. And most of the time, you don’t need to worry about it much. You can stop your Dobie from shaking with a bit of care, effort, and love. However, despite taking all the precautions, if you are still witnessing shivering in your Dobie, then take him to a vet and do their treatment accordingly.
FAQs
Why is my dog trembling for no reason?
There are several reasons why a Doberman shivers. A Doberman can tremble out of pain, stress, excitement, and so on. However, if you see shaking and muscle tremors, it is a sign of a severe condition and requires immediate medical treatment.
Why is my Doberman head shaking?
Dobermans are prone to suffer from Head tremors or Head bobbing. Because of this, they involuntarily shake their head for a few minutes. The reason behind this is still unknown. However, it is considered to be harmless, temporary, and painless.
