Skip to content

Basenji is waking up screaming in the middle of the night?

Behavioral Issues
  • I got him at 10 weeks old from a local shelter. I was told that there was no abuse or neglect from the previous owners. They were an elderly couple that didn't have time to care for 4 puppies. He is 4 now and I'm not sure what he is mixed with. For the last 6 months he randomly wakes up screaming in the middle of the night. It is normally between midnight and 3:00 a.m. When I mean scream it is not some light yelp. This is a full out terrorizing almost human noise. The first time it happened I thought my neighbor was being attacked. It happened 6 times in the month of June and then stopped. The next time it happened was Thanksgiving weekend and then again last night. One night he woke up twice. It's not every night. It is completely random. He does not shake, convulse, or have his eyes shut when it's happening. He just sits or lays there. Most of the time he looks scared and aware that it is going on. One time I heard him yelp and I woke up to him jumping into bed with me and he started screaming. It takes normally 30 seconds to a minute to calm him down. He then wants to cuddle under the blanket. He sleeps on a dog pillow and blankets on the floor next to my bed every night.

    I took him to the vet and he is completely baffled about what could be going on. They did bloodwork and xrays. He ruled out epilepsy. He tells me to just keep a log of when it happens. We have not changed his food. He hasn't experienced any new changes recently like a move, or new family member so I'm not sure what could be stressing him out. He does not do it when he naps. He could nap for hours on the couch and never make a peep.

    Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Or have advice on what could be wrong and how to help him? Could this be night terrors?

Suggested Topics

  • basenji screams when left alone

    Behavioral Issues
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    3k Views
    Y
    @elbrant said in basenji screams when left alone: @yahtzee92 said in basenji screams when left alone: especially when he can see her in the backyard). Presuming that the yard is enclosed/fenced, why not have him outside with her? Because you are presuming incorrectly! That said, he has gotten much less anxious as he is more used to the house and people going in/out. Neighbors did finally put a fence up in back though (new houses got built very close to ours).. now I'm looking for something to block off the part of the yard that is exposed between the garage and house. Hard to find something that stands out or, mainly, taller than 3 feet
  • 0 Votes
    10 Posts
    5k Views
    P
    Congratulations on the future new addition. Boy/girl is a good combination. As others have advised let them meet on neutral ground and take them for a long walk together. For every good interaction praise both inordinately. As Curlytails says don't rush it. Keep us posted, please and best wishes to you all.
  • Waking up Badly

    Behavioral Issues
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    6k Views
    tanzaT
    @Patty: Spaying is not usually the answer so don't expect miracles! Please don't neglerct to follow advice given on the site. Well put Patty. While I agree that she should be spayed, it is not the end to end problem solver… the suggestions regarding training are just as important and maybe even more so. You might even want to look into a behaviorist to come to your home and work with you and her.
  • Basenji Bevhaviorist

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    4k Views
    NemoN
    You can check out this site. It might help. http://ccpdt.org/rstr/OH.html
  • My Basenji is only aggressive towards other basenjis

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    agilebasenjiA
    You know, my boyz like dogs the same color as they are. Jet LOVES tri colored dogs - Berners, tri Aussies, etc. And last time they were at Anne's dog park, poor Digital was the only brindle basenji. Jet played with the basenjis and Diggie went and hung out with a brindle greyhound. Remember that Anne?
  • Same Sex and Basenji to Basenji aggression.

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    5k Views
    T
    I agree with Catherine, socialization is a must, but it depends on the personality of the individual dog. When we had 4, they all slept on the bed together and ran together and rarely did we have any problems. We added a puppy and things were still going ok, just really crowded. However, one day our youngest girl decided she was all grown up and didn't want to be bossed around anymore by our 'wanna-be' alpha. Neither of them was a true alpha. We managed to defuse the situation, but a month later it happened again. The girls could never be together again. In fact, the tri developed a predjudice against all red girls after that! Both girls were terrific with people and with Basenji males and even with males and females of other breeds. I had 2 intact males, brothers, who stayed together with absolutely no problem for almost 4 years until one went to another home. They even got along during season. Terry