Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Basenji is waking up screaming in the middle of the night?

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

Behavioral Issues
  • A

    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?

    0

Suggested Topics

  • J

    Night time/ sleep aggression in our 18 month old female basenji

    Behavioral Issues
    20
    0 Votes
    20 Posts
    5k Views
    eeeefarmE
    I am not up to date on current rabies vaccines for dogs, but I know that in the past there was more than one formulation, as my next door neighbour's dog had an anaphylactic reaction when vaccinated and the vet made a note to use a different formulation for the next annual shot. In future the dog had no difficulties. There are known side effects to most vaccines. Aggression is not one I am familiar with, however, with rabies vaccination in countries that require it there isn't much choice. It would not be my first thought with an 18 month old dog showing aggression. Especially a Basenji objecting to being moved from a comfortable place.
  • A

    Night Howling

    Behavioral Issues
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    7k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Sleep in your bed or not, sleep under the sheets or own cover or between sheet and cover...two issues only. Your personal choice and if it causes behavioral problems. As for " alphas"..nothing has done more to cause more harm to training than that outdated wrong concept. This is a nice article explaining how we got into the alpha stuff, and the way to think that will really help with how you see and train your dogs. https://www.thelabradorsite.com/dog-dominance/
  • M

    Looking for Speaker on Basenji behavior as well as caring for older basenjis

    Behavioral Issues
    1
    0 Votes
    1 Posts
    2k Views
    No one has replied
  • J

    Basenjis that can't stand other basenjis

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    5k Views
    wizardW
    My previous males never had an opportunity to meet other basenjis (outside their breeder kennel) so don't know if the experience with my current female is "typical" or not. The first time she encountered another, it was a tri-color older female that was a real bitch and instantly got aggressive (now whenever they see each other its "hackles up"). The first time I took her to a lure coursing event, mine was friendly enough until a little blind female came up and bit her. The second time I took her to a LGRA event, a lady came up behind us (while mine was trying to potty) with her tricolor female and her dog attacked mine. So now hackles go up any time another female comes within shouting distance.
  • G

    Waking up Badly

    Behavioral Issues
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    7k 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.
  • ldortonL

    My basenji turned on me :(

    Behavioral Issues
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    ldortonL
    Makes sense. Thanks.