By Lucy Notarantonio

Copyright newsweek

Dogs are often described as having a sixth sense, but others argue that they simply have sharper senses than humans. This seems to be the case for one dachshund caught on camera barking at the ceiling, pacing the floor, and even jumping on the couch to get closer to a pipe above its head.

Three people and four other dogs in the room appeared clueless as to what the dachshund was reacting to. The owner, who goes by user xAshev on Reddit, concluded: “I think my dog is hallucinating.”

They added in the caption: “No one else hears anything. This is a house and we’re in the basement, so no upstairs neighbors.”

Research shows some dogs display hallucinatory behavior such as staring at the sky or “star gazing.” Experts say this can sometimes be linked to compulsive behaviors, but medical issues involving the brain, nerves, or pain should be ruled out first. Dogs with these signs are often referred to specialists or treated with medications such as antidepressants or seizure drugs.

I think my dog is hallucinating byu/xAshev inWhatsWrongWithYourDog

The American Kennel Club (AKC) explains that dogs sometimes display puzzling behaviors, like barking at nothing or lingering near objects tied to deceased loved ones, which some owners link to the paranormal. Experts, however, believe these actions are more likely responses to subtle cues humans can’t detect.

One reason may be hearing: humans are most sensitive around 2,000 Hz, which aligns with speech, while dogs peak at 8,000 Hz, making them far more attuned to high-pitched sounds from prey or the environment.

Reddit Reacts

A stock image of a black and tan dachshund dog sitting on a red blanket and showing its teeth. Maya Shustov/iStock / Getty Images Plus

Reddit users were quick to comment on the September 29 video, which has 1,700 upvotes.

“Rodents. Call a pest control tech and make sure they don’t use poison. Traps only,” advised one comment with 1,700 upvotes.

The owner responded: “Those little shrews… we do catch one or two every year in the house, but we never had any of them in the ceiling, or the upper floor.”

Another user pointed out: “These dogs are literally bred to hunt hidden creatures. This one is doing its job very well and apparently without training.”

“Dog bred for hunting small animals and a drop-down ceiling? Yeah, I’d say there are rodents up there,” agreed a fourth user.

The Dachshund’s History

The AKC explains that the dachshund, developed in Germany in the 17th and 18th centuries for badger hunting, was bred with short, curved legs, strong digging chests, and protective skull features to battle underground. Built for endurance, independence, and boldness, the breed earned its reputation as “courageous to the point of rashness.”

Newsweek reached out to u/xAshev for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.

Poirier-Guay, Marie-Pier, et al. “Star Gazing in a Dog: Atypical Manifestation of Upper Gastrointestinal Disease.” The Canadian Veterinary Journal, vol. 55, no. 11, Nov. 2014, pp. 1079–82. PubMed Central, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4204840/.