dog behavior at night

Question
Hi - I have a terrier that will be 10 in May.  Last winter, 5 or 6 times, she woke me at night by clawing at my head.  She would be panting and making what I would call a smacking noise.  This would go on for two or three hours.  I tried everything I could think of as she seems to be under great anxiety (holding her and cuddling, putting her in another room where she scratched continually to get out actually damaging doors, etc.).  If I would get up and turn on lights she would be perfectly fine, very "perky" in fact.  My vet didn't turn up anything, and she seemed to stop the behavior... until last night when we went through the same thing again!  I should mention that I have another dog who simply acts like he thinks she's nuts!  Any ideas?  I went to work after about 3 hours sleep today!  Thanks!

Answer
I believe your dog is reacting to something that you may not be aware of. Did your vet suggest anxiety pills of any sort for you? I would get another opinion or hire a behaviorist to come out and see the dog. It is difficult for me to answer this without being able to see your dog but let me tell you of the funniest anxiety one of my clients' dogs ever had. The dog would go crazy whenever someone flushed a toilet...absolutely nuts! Good luck
nancy