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My 7-month-old dog stares at the ceiling, acts scared. What's wrong?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Male | unneutered | 6 months and 21 days old | 3 lbs
My 7 month yr old male dog keeps looking up around at the ceiling, or if something is flying up around him he is acting strange and isn't playful or active, he keeps looking up around him at the ceiling and then sits close by me ( which he doesn't really do) he almost seems freaked out by what he's "seeing" I don't know what's wrong with him
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Justin Plunk, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on October 8th, 2017
Hi, thanks for using PetCoach!
If Louie is otherwise acting normally (normal appearance regarding appetite, thirst, peeing, stools, walking, playing, and sleeping), it sounds like either a noise or a smell has his attention and may be activating his instinctive response to be alerted and cautious. Mice or other pests are common culprits as dogs can often smell or hear them through openings such as electrical outlets or light fixtures in walls.
Strange behavior can also indicate early onset neurologic disease, so if nothing can be found that he may be looking for, please have him examined by your veterinarian, especially if he starts having any other abnormal behavior, trouble walking, trouble hearing, or other signs of neurologic disease. Here is a link containing some other clinical signs of forebrain disease for things to watch for:
http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/neurological/c_multi_headpressing
Hope this helps!
If Louie is otherwise acting normally (normal appearance regarding appetite, thirst, peeing, stools, walking, playing, and sleeping), it sounds like either a noise or a smell has his attention and may be activating his instinctive response to be alerted and cautious. Mice or other pests are common culprits as dogs can often smell or hear them through openings such as electrical outlets or light fixtures in walls.
Strange behavior can also indicate early onset neurologic disease, so if nothing can be found that he may be looking for, please have him examined by your veterinarian, especially if he starts having any other abnormal behavior, trouble walking, trouble hearing, or other signs of neurologic disease. Here is a link containing some other clinical signs of forebrain disease for things to watch for:
http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/neurological/c_multi_headpressing
Hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful