I have 3 large dogs, a 6 y/o female, rescued American Pitbull Terrier, a 13y/o Male American Bulldog that I foster and a 2y/o male Chocolate Lab rescued at 3 weeks after his mom was run over and bottle fed. All 3 of the dogs dream multiple times a night and during naps. They twitch as if they are chasing their favorite toy or running through a field. Sometimes they wake me up making odd noises like a partial bark under their breath or a soft abnormal growl. When Sadie, the APBT is dreaming her breathing gets very heavy and sometimes she stops breathing. It is almost impossible to wake her up during a dream. It's almost impossible to get her out of bed period!
I've heard that the more a dog dreams the more active or anxious it is? Has anyone ever heard that? I can't find much online about it.
05-07-2014, 04:14 AM, (This post was last modified: 05-07-2014, 04:14 AM by Happyflowerlady.)
From what I have read, our dogs dream in just about the same way that people dream. They go into a deep REM sleep, and then start dreaming. We often dream about things that happened to us during the day, or even about television programs or movies we watched that night; and our dogs dream about the things they experienced as well. Sometimes, it seems like our dog might be having a nightmare, and then we have to decide whether or not to wake them up out of the dream. I know that I am often really disoriented if I wake up out of a very vivid dream, but if it is a nightmare, then I am glad that I finally woke up !
The experts suggest that it is best not to wake your dog up when he is dreaming, and usually I don't bother them, but if they sounds really agitated and like they are having a nightmare, then I will speak softly to them, and at least try and reassure the dog that everything is still okay.
My Saint puppy Elvis is a vivid dreamer. He snores and whines and barks in his sleep. He also tries to chase things and I think he even tries to eat while he is asleep. I find it super cute when he dreams unless he starts to cry.
One time I was watching TV and he was sleeping in the living room and I heard him cry, like really sad cry. I usually just ignore him when he is making noises in his sleep but this time I was concerned that he was having a bad dream. I got up and checked on him. He opened his eyes and lazily wagged his tail and went back to sleep.
I think that some dogs just have more vivid dreams than others just like in humans. Most of their biological functions are the same as humans so it would make sense that they go into such a deep sleep that they start to dream. I'm not sure if they dream more because they are anxious I just think some dogs dream more than others.
I do believe dogs dream. My little dog, Sadie, sleeps with me and sometimes she start kicking her feet in her sleep. My Dad used to say our dog was "chasing rabbits" when he did that. She does not wake up, she just kicks all four feet really fast. I would find it very amusing except for one thing. She sleeps against my back and is kicking me in my back.
I have a little minpin/chiauha and Yes at times she does dream.
She will usually start making noises in her sleep sometimes like a crying or whining sound. Then she will sometimes start twitching. At times her legs will start moving like she is running. Makes me wonder what she is chasing.
My golden retriever would whimper and make noises in her sleep, sometimes even move her legs. I always assumed she was having nightmares or chasing a rabbit. I don't know if my cat dreams though.
i believe my dog dreams, shea a staffy and when she sleeps her legs twitch, like she is running and she sometimes lets out little yelps, like she is dreaming about chasing a ball lol
I would like to think that my Great Dane does dream! He will be in our bed growling in his sleep like he is in a fight with another dog. Then he will start to kick his legs like he is trying to run away. All while being in a dead sleep. He isn't easily woken up by too much. This dog makes all kinds of noises when he sleeps. I would like to think that he is having great dreams. There would be no other explanation. We have dreams, and i would like to think that he is capable of having dreams as well.
03-05-2016, 03:20 PM, (This post was last modified: 03-05-2016, 03:21 PM by remnant.)
It requires a long period of specialised study to know whether dogs dream or not. In neuropsychological circles, recent research suggests the presence of mental rhythms and processes that detect brain changes that occur during dreams. Neuroscientists involved in the study were not able to decode the dreams so it is an area waiting to be researched. That said and done, when a dog sleeps, the body is at rest but the mental and physiological process continue. Thats why you hear animals making funny noises and twitching when they are asleep. In animals, these cannot be categorized as dreams but are akin to mild hallucinations.
It requires specialised study and research to know whether dogs dream or not. In neuropsychological circles, recent research suggests the presence of mental rhythms and processes that detect brain changes that occur during dreams. Neuroscientists involved in the study were not able to decode the dreams so it is an area waiting to be researched. That said and done, when a dog sleeps, the body is at rest but the mental and physiological process continue. Thats why you hear animals making funny noises and twitching when they are asleep. In animals, these cannot be categorized as dreams but are akin to mild hallucinations.
