Hey everyone,

I have had a 7 month old patterdale puppy for about 3 weeks now. She has just settled in and is normally very well behaved, never barks unless someone knocks on the front door, and is very playful and in good health.

Two nights ago she started barking at the other side of the room where nobody was and started shaking like she was scared, it lasted for about 30 minutes and whatever I did to try and bring her round, treats and toys etc she wasn't interested, then she just cowered behind me on the sofa and wouldnt move.

It freaked me out. There was nothing there, at first I thought it could be the central heating creaking the pipes as a radiator was in the direction she was looking but then realised the heating wasn't even switched on!

I know animals are supposed to sense spirits etc but I didnt realise they would be scared of them if they did see them, maybe it was because she is a puppy and hasn't experienced 'seeing' a spirit before?

I have not noticed any chills or anything strange myself and it only happens at certain times in the day, usually afternoons. She doesnt like to be on her own in the house either, even follows me to the toilet and sleeps in my bed with me at night time. I have left her in the house on her own twice in 3 weeks for no longer than an hour and both times when I came home she was absolutely freaking out and nearly having a heart attack because she was so excited to see me, is this normal?

I am thinking about asking a vicar to come and bless the house or something as it is quite an old house, does anybody have any suggestions?

I would first have her medical checked out..then if you have spirits get jesus...

I agree with the above poster ^^ Definitely no Quija board ! She probably is getting anxious especially if she left the litter quite soon. I would post some pictures up and see what you capture.

Is there a reflective surface? My dog will stare intently at mirrors or the sliding glass door to my deck when it's dark out.

And yeah, dogs get separation anxiety like the above poster mentioned.

Is there any windows on that side of the house? My dogs will bark nonstop if they see their reflection or any reflection in the window. Thought the same thing about my dog, was it a ghost, but then realized it was the glass on the tv stand making her go crazy. Move your foot and she saw it as a threat.

Is it an outside wall?

Is there a lot of electrical wiring, possibly a SES (secondary electrical service ) your fuse box near the area. Animals are several times more sensitive to electromagnetic energy than humans.

Is there possibly an animal, rodent or otherwise in the wall, nesting under the eve, scratching, chirping, making noises which transfer easily thru a wall.

Is it wood structure, or masonry?

I wouldn't worry about a supernatural cause unless you yourself start to experience something as well.

There are several things you can try with the puppy. Put a stuffed animal in the spot the dog keeps freaking out about. If nothing else it will fill the space and maybe ease the dogs mind. If the puppy still freaks out, make note of the times it happens. It could very well be a sound that you do not hear and the dog does, such as a release valve going off somewhere around the same time every night.

you have a loose wire in an electrical outlet. It causes a vibration and noise is heard by dogs and cats. Probably not a fire danger, probably.