my dog has started to whine at night.

Question
hi
i have got a 6 year old Pharaoh Hound called Giza.  Recently, he has started to whine and cry at night.  He normally goes to sleep on his bed when we go upstairs, but then within a couple of hours, he wakes up and starts to cry.  It sounds like he is in pain or something, but when I went to check on him, he was just standing there and he started to nuzzle me as soon as he saw me.  I think that he just wants to be with someone, as he scratches at my door at night.  I don't know what to do with him, as it keeps me from sleeping, and if I let him in my room I can't sleep either.  I don't think that he cries when we aren't there during the day, as he doesn't seem very troubled when we leave but I can't be sure.
I would really appreciate your opinion and help
thanks Hannah

Answer
Hi Hannah

If this change in behaviour is sudden then first get him health checked by your vet.

Ruling out any medical issues we can then start to think about reason for the onset of this behaviour.  Think about when it started; had there been any changes to the household/life style/his bedding/the season or temperature (is he cold? Quite likely with this breed).  

You need to know if he is happy to be left generally so use a Dictaphone or preferably a camcorder set up when you go out.  If he does the same during the day then you will need to treat it as separation problem or fear of being left alone (two different things).  If he is fine then it is something to do with night times and may simply have become a habit.  If you cannot identify a reason try ignoring him - go to him if he gets very distressed but you may find he settles himself.

Good luck

Lucy