i agree that odie gets overly excited or stressed so he shakes. i remember the first time at the kennel when i met him. my husband and i were standing over him and he was shaking. again, i think he is claustrophobic! LOL!!! he still shakes in the car and slobbers everywhere but i guess that is him and i have found that oxyfresh pet relaxant is a good thing for him when we are traveling an hour or 2 away. he reminds me of the way i am on an airplane... no matter how many times i fly, i freak out!!!!

In this instance, I'm referring to excitement as in "oh boy; oh boy!!! we're going to go run or play!! oh boy!" not excited as in stressed. There are some dogs who get so happy about going to run they quiver and pant "are we there yet? can I run now?" No signs of fear - hop right in, look around with curiosity, no cowering, etc.

oh.... well i don't think that is the way odie is... i think he definitely shakes in fear, not excitement...

Just a suggestion... In a lifetime of working with skittish animals, some even classified as "trouble", I have seen this misinterpretation quite a few of times. Granted I haven't seen him, but based on things you've written about him, it was worth looking at a possibility.

what do you consider to be signs of fear?

When Bridgett is afraid, their is absolutely no doubt that it is fear. She shows it in her eyes, face, and the way she acts. You can see it all over her, no doubts. I feel sorry for her. She will pace, run back and forth, run to the door, try to escape at any cost. Our back yard is fenced and she will not try to jump out, but she just paces to the door and back. I can also tell when she is excited, like very glad about something. It is not the same at all. It is like she is cornered and trying to get out, or away from the situation at any cost. She will not even let me come near her.