Do dogs sleepwalk?

ronquinn99@gmail.com · Fri Sep 06, 2013 10:30 pm

12 year old black lab mix, good health annual vet visits, obviously old guy. He has started waking up in the middle of the night and opening a sliding patio door. he then gives himself a shake and lies down in front of the door (a place he regularly hangs out because it is shaded most of the day), he doesn't go to the washroom. He has recently progressed (regressed) to attempting to get out of the gate which he never does. you give a quick go to bed and he settles down. left alone one day and he couldn't slide the door open due to it being locked and he was in a bit of an anxiety/panic attach when we got home. doing it about three months, no other explanation as he has never even tried to open door before, usually just taps it with paw if he needs to go.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Sat Sep 07, 2013 3:28 am

They dream so I see no reason why they would not also sleepwalk on occasion.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sat Sep 07, 2013 4:35 am

More likely, he Is over-heating at night and needs to cool down.

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Sat Sep 07, 2013 5:41 am

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 1:37 am

That's what I mean, I've seen mine run like that while sleeping - although never actually gut up to do it which isn't to say it hasn't I've just not been there at the time. - and occasionally howl which is a bit startling. Even pups do it. We had one that had been mistreated as a pup that used to sometimes cry in it's sleep.

Reminds me of these arguments about whether dogs are self aware. No they don't dream cos they're dogs or no they are not self aware because they are animals.