Dog Dreaming : “Let sleeping dogs lie.”

by Gail Jennings Bruce ‐

dog dreaming

photo: Photo: Cesarsway.com

Ever wonder if your dog dreams and what they are dreaming about? They’re dreaming of “dog” things like digging holes, fighting with pretend burglars, chasing dream birds, rabbits, or cats. Watch this adorable dog dreaming as he digs in his sleep!

As a dog owner, you’ve probably noticed that at times when your dog is sleeping, they quiver, twitch their legs, grown or even snap in their sleep.  You might be watching TV as you unwind from a long day when you suddenly hear whimpering and scratching.  What’s going on?  Is my dog dreaming ?  The answer is likely yes, but we can’t help but wonder what they are dreaming about!

According to Stanley Coren, a professor emeritus of psychology at the University of British Columbia and the author of “Do Dogs Dream”, the answer is a resounding yes.

“What we’ve basically found is that dogs dream doggy things, said Cohen. “So, pointers will point at dream birds, and Dobermans will chase dream burglars. The dream pattern in dogs seems to be very similar to the dream pattern in humans.”

For unknown reasons, the size of the dog may determine the size of the dream. Smaller dogs have more frequent but shorter dream periods, Cohen said, while large dogs have less frequent but longer dreams. Toy poodles and chihuahuas might experience dreams every 10 minutes, while a typical golden retriever will only dream once every 90 minutes.

The bottom line is that dog dreaming is normal, natural and healthy!

Have you noticed your dog dreaming? Share your experience in the comments.