We got our dog from the local Humane Society when she was about 2 months old. She is now 5 1/2 years old. Mixed breed, and we have no idea how mixed or what breeds. She has been a good companion, fairly level headed, but a bit skiddish of some things. The new issues is her fear late at night. Usually between 2 a.m and 5 a.m. she starts pacing and panting all over the house. She tries to crawl under my husband's nightstand or hide behind doors. This is all while we are sleeping (until she eventually wakes us up). The first time this happened (about a month ago), we took her outside, but then she was afraid to come back in. She got downstairs, but was afraid to come back up. It was almost like she was terrified of the main level of the house. We haven't noticed any new noises, and we haven't changed anything in the house, if something is outside, she always barks at the window or door, so we don't think that is it. We just don't know what the cause may be or how to fix it. It has been a month since it started, and has happend about 4 times. Always late at night, always while we are sleeping.

Last night I was so frustrated and tired that I finally just shut the bedroom door and left her in the main house by herself. When my husband got up this morning, she was sleeping soundly on her pillow.

Any advice or insight would be helpful!

Any time a dog's behavior changes you should have it evaluated by a vet. There could be several things going on, and you need to rule out serious medical problems.

What you're describing sounds like it could be some sort of focal seizure. But considering the amount of time it lasts when she does it, that would be sort of unusual. Focal seizures don't usually last that long. But usual and unusual don't mean never.

Have your vet check things out.

[Yogi]

As vetgroomer put it, you do need to address this. Dogs are primarily routine oriented and as they have no verbal means to tell you if something is wrong they do give signs. It is up to you to watch for them and address them. In this case it appears the dog is trying to tell you something is wrong. Keep in mind that dogs can sense things we cannot so obviously something has her frightened. Whether it be a medical/health issue or something in the house that you are not noticing, there is something that is bothering the dog.

Pacing and panting....it almost sounds like she is over heated. I know my golden -lab will do that till he finds an AC vent to lay on and then I usually crank the temp down for him.