Do dogs have nightmares?

Question

Sometimes after my dog has just woken up he seems afraid of us and doesn’t want to cuddle. We wondered whether he might have had a bad dream, is this possible?

Answer

Dogs have dreams, just like we do. Studies of their brains’ electrical activity and eye movements show that they have the same patterns of sleep – and dreaming – as ourselves.

Sometimes dogs show external signs of dreaming – such as paddling their legs, or twitching. Other times, they look as if they are sleeping peacefully while they are having intense dreams, or even perhaps nightmares. When a dog wakes up from a dream, it can take two or three minutes for them to fully realise that they are wide awake, back in the real world.

Respect his wishes at these times; leave him to gather himself, staying near him so that once he’s full awake, he can come up to you for that reassuring hug.

Subscribe today for just £34.95 for 12 issues...

Subscribe today and save 51%