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Does your dog ever have bad dreams? While I was growing up one of my parents’ Airedale Terriers, Tedda, used to wake the entire household in the middle of the night howling dreadfully in her sleep. I remember racing through to the living room, my heart pounding, to see what was happening. I would stand nervously in the doorway watching my folks carefully kneel down beside her bed and speak to Tedda in soft, soothing tones while gently stroking her until she woke up.
The other night Rory also had a bad dream…
At first, she started twitching a little in her sleep, an action that is not uncommon for a lot of dogs and often referred to as ‘chasing rabbits.’ However, she then started to whine and then growl, alerting me to the fact that she was having some sort of nightmare.
Mimicking my parents’ methods, I gently, yet firmly, placed my hands on Rory’s quivering body and began massaging her back in an effort to ease her awake. It is very important to not startle a dog awake at any time, especially when they are having a frightful sleep, because they can potentially snap out of fear or a confused sense of self-defense. After a minute or two Rory did at last wake up, wide eyed and a little frantic; although she was quickly calmed after being scooped up into my arms and cuddled. What exactly she was dreaming about, I will of course never know. I’m just happy I was able to comfort her.
How often do your dogs have bad dreams? Do you have any special ways of waking them up or comforting them after they wake? I would love to hear your stories!
Our dog Bailey has nightmares ALL the time. I’ll wake up to find her shaking on the bed crying. Generally she’s a pretty quiet dog, so when she’s having a dream like that it’s weird to see her have such a big reaction. I find saying her name calmly and smoothly and rubbing her back really helps. That always seems to bring her back to a good night’s sleep.
It’s so distressing when a dog has a nightmare. It can’t be anything but that given the whimpering and other distressing noises dogs make at the time. At least I think so and so do you, so we must be correct.
Jack has had a few nightmares, some awakening us from our own sleep. Like you, I gently but firmly place my hands on Jack’s body and stroke him until he awakens. I also speak to him sotto voce then cuddle him until he is oriented and settled again.
Given that dogs have nightmares, I can’t help but wonder what constitutes their dreams!