It is a known sight to puppy owners: the wagging tails, twitching paws, and yipping that hint at a happy dream. But suddenly, the puppy is snarling, yelping, and even screaming in his sleep. Is it a nightmare? Can puppies have nightmares? If so, how can you assist the puppy get through it?
What Do Puppies Usually Dream About?
Before we get to the frightening stuff, let’s speak about the average dog dream. The brains of humans and dogs are very similar (you knew it, certainly!) It has been proven that our brain waves undergo the same activity stages throughout sleep.
Just like human beings, puppies dream about their memories. Puppies also dream to process the emotions they have experienced throughout the day. Puppy dreams are also likely about common doggy activities such as playing, chasing, and hunting.
What Are Puppy Nightmares About?
Because they’ve long-term memories, they sure do not forget the word bath; even when they easily forget all other commands, researchers are pretty certain that puppies dream about particular events in their life. Unlike humans, puppies don’t have a developed imagination, so it is unlikely that Cujo or zombie dogs are petrifying the pet.
Instead, they’re almost certainly dreaming about a past off-putting experience and re-living it throughout sleep. Puppies that have been abandoned, rescued, or abused are more likely to go through nightmares than puppies that have always had a stable house.
How Can I Help My Puppy With Nightmares?
First, let sleeping puppies lie. A puppy that is startled out of a terrifying dream is more likely to bark or even bite out of terror. If you feel like you have to wake the pup, softly call out their name and wake them up without touching.
It can keep everybody comfortable and safe in the aftermath of a bad dream. If the puppy suffers from disrupted sleep, assist them by making soothing surroundings for snoozing. In particular, you can:
Provide a cozy bed: supportive memory foam is particularly easy on the joints.
Let them rest, even if they are in the throes of a nightmare.
Make use of a pheromone-releasing collar.
If bad dreams are a frequent occurrence, get in touch with the vet. The vet will be capable of diagnosing any medical reasons behind the bad dreams and assisting you both in getting a good night’s sleep.
Above All, Relax:
If the puppy has an infrequent nightmare, do not be anxious. Just like when you have an infrequent bad dream, the dog will wake up and forget it ever occurred. You can assist them through it by simply speaking to them in a calming voice, not startling them awake, and best of all, by creating amazing new memories throughout the day.
That is the fun part! Hopefully, you and your pup will get rid of this issue and have a good life together.
I am a dog lover and love to train dogs. I am a dog trainer and work at a dog daycare in the US. I love to travel and go hiking and camping. I have two dogs that Live with me.
My dog’s name is Luna and she is a Maltese. She is very sweet and loving. My other dog is a Boxer and his name is Roxy. He is a big goofball.
