Should You Wake A Dreaming Dog?

There are times Chezhi barks in her sleep. I felt sort of amused the first time I saw her doing this. Sometimes she would paddle her legs and sometimes she would whine softly. While her soft bark amused me the first time, I also wondered if it is right to wake a dreaming dog. I got my answers. Let us see what experts say about dog dreams and if we could wake up a dreaming dog.

Yesterday, Chezhi was in a deep sleep on the sofa. While she was asleep, she let out a few soft barks, making me wonder if she was dreaming about something exciting.

As I switched on a nearby light, she immediately lifted her head, looked around for a couple of seconds, and then went right back to sleep. 

Do Dogs Dream?

Yes. Research suggests that dogs experience sleep cycles similar to humans. During a stage known as REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, dogs may twitch, move their paws, wag their tails, whine, or bark softly. These behaviors are often associated with dreaming.

Scientists believe dogs may dream about things that are important in their daily lives, such as playing, running, exploring, interacting with their families, or enjoying their favorite treats.

Should You Wake a Dreaming Dog?

In most situations, much as you are tempted, there is no need to wake a dog that is dreaming. Dreaming is considered a normal and healthy part of sleep.

If your dog is twitching, paddling their legs, making soft sounds, or barking gently, it is usually best to allow them to continue sleeping. After all, they may be having the best of dreams.

What If the Dog Appears Distressed?

Sometimes a dog may seem upset during sleep. They may whine loudly, growl, or appear restless.

If you genuinely feel the dog needs to be awakened, you can wake them up but avoid touching them suddenly. A sleeping dog and in a dream, may be startled by your touch and they could react unexpectedly.

Instead of touching your dreaming dog, you can:

• call your dog's name softly
• speak in a calm and reassuring voice
• create a gently sound from a safe distance

Can Light Wake a Sleeping Dog?

In my pet Chezhi's case, turning on a nearby light appeared to wake her briefly. However, every dog is different. Some dogs may respond to changes in light, while others may sleep through them completely.

Because dogs rely on several senses while sleeping, sounds and environmental changes are often more noticeable than light alone.

Final Thoughts

Watching a dog dream can be one of the cutest experiences for any pet parent. Well, I certainly enjoy it if I feel assured that Chezhi is having a pleasant dream. While it may be tempting to wake them up and watch their reaction, it is usually best to let them enjoy their sleep.

After all, they might be in the middle of chasing a ball, meeting a friend, or discovering an endless supply of treats in dreamland...with the pet parent away and not noticing!