Please help??? My dog was acting very strange at random. He was not himself for the moment. Should I worry?

Question

Maybe I am being a bit over paranoid, but I can't help this. I came home after work just now and took my dog out for a walk and to let him go potty. He mysteriously at random the whole time was acting like he was afraid of everything. Like he was not himself anymore suddenly. Barking/growling/ attempting to defend himself over twigs on the ground, shrubs, and shadows from trees. He even freaked out over a bicycle chain that was left on the ground the same way. It's night time but he knows his surroundings where he is because we've lived here for 3 years. I was really worried that something maybe wrong with him because he has never acted this way before ever. So about 20 minutes later I took him out again to see if he would react the same to determine if something could really be medically wrong. The second time around he was fine, his normal self. Happy go lucky etc. Should I be worried or could it be just a weird random thing that dogs do from time to time? He's only 3 years old, current on all vaccines, an d healthy from the regular tests I have done for him at the vet to ensure that. Oh my dog is socialized constantly taken out on outings every where and professionally trained. He is a german sheperd/ lab mix.

Answer 1

He may have sensed something the first time you took him out.  There may have been an animal around that he smelled, or another dog or person that he wasn't familiar with the smell.  My dog is a little hesitant to go outside at night also.  I've taken to using a large flashlight when I go out with him now which seems to help.  We live in the country and have a lot of wild animals around, so I feel better to with the light.

Answer 2

ONG same things have been happening with my rottweiler who is a novice holder.....we live in florida iv posted a ques about it yesterday...shes been whinning growling acting aratic pacing around the house afraid to go outside.......I think it has to do with the hurricaine.....

Answer 3

Well I dogs can sence danger from miles and it could have been scared of something inpreticular, but when it see's something else it could have triggerd him, but it should'nt be nothing to worry about.

Answer 4

There might have been something outside at that time that he was afraid of/didn't like. When dogs are afraid, they will act very defensive and alert and won't act themselves. I really don't think that it is a medical issue, and I don't think you have to worry yourself over it.  

Answer 5

Dogs not fed a balanced diet  ...having very little protein, for instance,,..will go nuts. Could he have eaten someting toxic?

I would ask a vet. There a dog diseases other than rabies that will make them act crazy.

As a last resort take him off all dog food and give him table food a few days in case there is something in his food.

Answer 6

Dogs are sensitive to smell and can tell what been there way after if been there and are very territorial. So it could of been a dog he doesn't know could of peed there and or a animal that didn't smell right or if your work habits have changed any and you might have taken him out later or earlier thats could be it now if if continues i would get worried but not now he might of just been irritated  

Answer 7

your dog probably just sensed another animal or human near by. a dog can extreme keen hearing sounds we can not hear. and smell for up to 5 miles away. be glad your dog reacted in such a way. it might even save your life someday.

my dogs will bark at nothing i can see or hear, but they can. so i trust their judgement, of barking at people or nothing i can see. they are a very good judge of people also, so pay attention to his reactions.