Shaking hyperventilating Staffi

My 10 year old Male Paddy seems to have panic attacks, he has always been spolit and loves my parents house and people coming around,But over the last year he has developed what i can only describe as panick breathing.

He has always come everywhere with us and is very much included in all family events as is our other staff Ruby ( aged almost 2) Now if people come for a meal and we sit at the table, or go to my parents / inlaws as soon as he susses we might be having a meal he gets frantic - we fear he will actually have a heart attack, we have tried ignoring him, settling and soothing him - giving him treats changing the way we address family meals with him ( we have and would NEVER shut him out the room ) We have no idea where this fear has come from, Its the same fear as when he hears fireworks panting dribbling ears back eyes wide.

He calms down and is back to his usual self eventually playful or asking for treats ( he knows where there cupboard is at everyones house ) but sometimes it can be hours later. We think christmas crackers might have been the cause a few years ago but after a few months he was ok, now he's doing it again at all family functions ( houses ) and we dont know why, ( we dont use crackers / party poppers anything as such anymore if he;s with us ) its so sad bless him, and just worried for his heart. Ruby is taking no notice at the moment but looks at him as if what the hells wrong with him ??? any suggestion ??

I would say there's been a trigger of some sort, but what it is I couldn't hazzard a guess at.

Would the panic lessen if you did exclude him from the room?

Because we have never shut him out the room we tried to put him in the kitchen and close the door with all his comfy things but he hated it jumping and scracthing at the door, howling it seemed to make him worse

Have you thought about trying Adaptil Diffusers (formerly DAP Diffusers)? You can get plug in ones, sprays and collars.

Also, you could try some herbal 'calming' tablets?

Maybe a Thundershirt may help as well They ain't just for fireworks

Whats a thundershirt ??
I will look into the calming pills, just seems strange it happens when people come for dinner or we go to peoples houses for dinner and take him along, hes fine visiting people just as soon as we sit at the table - silly thing x

Poor thing xx

I sometimes use a Thundershirt with D - it applies the same methodolgy that is used for vaccinating cattle or calming autistic children. When cattle are vaccinated light pressure is applied which calms the cow. When an austic child gets into an over excited state, a tight hug helps calm them down. This jacket down is made of stretchy breathable material which wraps around the body of your dog, this reduces them to a calm state without medication. You can buy them online or at pets at home.