Dogs' brains are structurally similar to those of humans, according to Psychology Today , and they go through the same electrical patterns that human brains go through during the sleep cycle. This includes rapid eye movement, otherwise known as REM sleep, during which dreaming occurs.
Many dogs try to physically act out their dreams—which often involves reliving memories of what they did that day—and this is the cause of sleep running, barking, and twitching.
You may have wondered why your dog always curls up in a ball when he lies down to sleep, even when it's not cold. According to Vetstreet , this behavior is an evolutionary holdover from their ancestors.
In the wild, wolves and wild dogs curl up while sleeping in order to protect their vulnerable organs from an attack. But if that's the case, then why do some dogs sleep on their backs with their bellies exposed?
A small percentage of dogs are comfortable sleeping this way— Vetstreet estimates between five and ten percent. Easy-going, well-socialized dogs with temperaments that are a far cry from their wolf cousins and ancestors may favor that position.
If your pup likes to sleep on their back, this is a sign that they trust you and feels safe and secure in their surroundings. Another strange behavior you might have observed during your dog's bedtime is a habit of scratching the floor and turning in circles before lying down, even on a soft surface like a bed or pillow. This behavior goes all the way back to the same nesting instinct that compels dogs to curl up to sleep. In the wild, their canine ancestors would dig to soften the ground and create nests to lie down in, which would offer added protection and help to regulate body temperature.
They would also turn circles to tamp down the dirt, leaves, or grass lining of their bed to make it more comfortable. Why this instinct has survived thousands of years and is still strong in domestic dogs today remains a mystery. Most dogs can be heard sawing logs in their sleep from time to time. However, some do it more often than others. Dogs snore for the same reason humans do—because of an obstruction in the airway. This obstruction can have a number of causes, including allergies or respiratory illness, obesity, or the shape of the snout.
Bulldogs , for example, are notorious snorers because of their compact snouts. While occasional snoring is nothing to be concerned about, chronic snoring could indicate a more serious problem with your pup. In all likelihood, a dog that snores a lot while asleep also has difficulty breathing while awake, warns PetMD.
Because dogs rely on the ability to breathe rapidly to help regulate their body temperature, the inability to do so could have serious repercussions on their health. So if you have a chronic snorer, you should visit your veterinarian to determine the cause of their snoring. Dogs sleep for hours throughout the day, providing plenty of opportunities to observe these quirky behaviors.
So the next time you notice your dog running in their sleep, you can smile knowing they're having a blast chasing dream squirrels or playing a game of dream fetch. Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent and pet blogger from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of furbabies. You can also try giving him more attention and exercise during the day to help him get to sleep more easily.
Barking while sleeping is a normal doggy behavior. It could simply be that your dog is dreaming about playing a game or exploring a new park. Help your dog to sleep calmly by making sure he gets plenty of exercise and playtime during his waking hours. Every night. Search for:. February 26, Notify of.
Oldest Newest Most Voted. Inline Feedbacks. Keith Brockmiller. Would love your thoughts, please comment. On the other hand, they be dreaming that they are flying, falling, fighting aliens, or other weird things- just like people do! Although it is thought that dogs dream in much the same way humans do, the way the dream is presented to dogs is considered to be different. Sight is one of a human's strongest sense, so our dreams are primarily visual.
Dogs, however, rely on their sense of smell and hearing much more than sight. For this reason, it is assumed a dog's dreams also rely heavily on these senses, so instead of visions they may hear sounds or smell something in their dreams.
This doesn't mean that dogs do not see things in their dreams, but it may be less often than smelling and hearing them. What Is Considered Normal? Most sounds and actions are entirely normal while a dog sleeps. A few examples of the types of sounds a dog may make while sleeping, along with the reasons they might occur, are listed below.
The following physical manifestations are also completely normal when a dog dreams, and are no cause for alarm. Twitching their legs 2. Moving their legs as though they are running 3. Flickering their eyes 4. Wags their tail 5. Turns in any direction 6.
Ear twitching or movement 7. Slightly increase breathing thought not severely increased 8. Sniffing 9. Head movement of any kind When Should I Worry?
Under most circumstances, there is no reason to worry when your dog makes noises in their sleep. If your dog seems to be under a great amount of distress, or is acting extremely out of the ordinary, you may want to wake them up so you can ensure they are safe.
If a dog seems to be under physical distress while they appear to be sleeping, it may not be normal. Signs of physical distress would be extremely rapid breathing, uncontrolled convulsions, sounds displaying high levels of pain, or anything else which would normally be considered bad health while the dog was awake.
If your dog shows any of these signs, you will definitely want to wake them up. If the dog does not wake up, you will want to call an emergency vet for assistance. You should note, however, that your dog is most likely having a nightmare if they seem to be under emotional stress. If you wish to wake them up, you must be incredibly careful. Like people, dogs may not fully wake up right away.
As such, there is a possibility that the dog could bite you without actually meaning you any harm. Remember that they were just under great emotional stress in their dreams, and the feeling of being frightened, or in harm's way, may still be present upon first waking. To minimize the risk of being bitten, try to wake your dog up with your voice instead of your hand. Conclusion When your dog barks, growls, or whimpers in their sleep, it is simply because they are dreaming.
As long as the dog does not exhibit signs of illness or severe physical distress, there is no need to worry. You might even find it fun to imagine what your canine friend is dreaming about. He loves to write and share his knowledge on Dog Training. Whenever he has the time he reads books, travels in the city and dining out with his wife. Click here to add your own comments. Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. Great deals on vitamins for you and your pet! Schnauzers Rule on Zazzle.
Got Schnauzer? Special Promotional Offers. He is a golden doddle and they are known for their even temperament. But at night, when he is sleeping he can often wake up snarling and growling which terrifies his sister. I often wonder if something happened to him before we got him. He was in a kennel for over 4 months and I wonder if that is the reason. Thanks for any insight.
She's a lady and a good citizen in our community. She gets bullied by three itty bitty chihuahuas that bark at her regularly. Insecure little things! Chihuahuas always know they're small, so they act out loudly. My point is, since these dogs became part of her life she dreams with all kinds of vocalizations. Before the chihuahuas she whimpered in her sleep, now she whimpers; growls; barks; and sometimes howls. I think she argues back in her dreams, something she doesn't dare do in her real life.
Thanks for the info by: Orin I adopted my dog River about 4 year ago. Scared the begeesus out of me.
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