@eeeefarm Thanks very much, he's been in the same place for years. I didn't mention that we have a female basenji also (his best buddy) their crates are side by side and have been for six years. Whatever is bothering him isn't affecting her (although I'm sure she'd like him to pipe down). His behavior outside of the crate remains constant as far as I can see, he doesn't seem to be interested or focused on anything that I'd say seems unusual. But, I'll have to look more closely.

@eeeefarm I'm going to get myself up early and keep an eye out, thanks for the suggestion. He does go right back to whining if we let him out and he goes back in. He is inconsistent with relieving himself (sometimes yes, sometimes no) and he isn't prone to accidents in the crate.

@tanza Yes, we full had a blood workup done but not a full thyroid panel. We need to go back then. One of the first things we thought of was that he needed to go out and we'd let him go out but sometimes he'd relieve himself and sometimes not so that didn't seem to be the issue. In any event, he'd go back to whining when we put him back.

Our male basenji (Kenji) is seven years old and has slept in a crate all his life. He's a great dog, very friendly and smart. At night he goes right in (gets his little treat) and is good for the night. Very routine. In the last two weeks though his behavior at night has changed drastically. Every morning at about 4:00 he begins to whine and pull at his crate door. He seems distressed. His behavior outside the crate during the day is as it always has been. His bedtime is consistent.

We've taken him to the vet and he is fine physically. Something (at least in the mind of our basenji) has changed and I'm racking my brain trying to think of what it could be? I'd appreciate any ideas anyone might have. Have you experienced this? Are there things we can try?

Thanks!