Does Your Dog Talk In Their Sleep?

In our home, the last thing we do in the evening is turn on the dishwasher. Eventually, Morgan learned that when the dishwasher door closed we headed to the bedroom. Now he races ahead of us. It’s so sweet.

Of course we let him up on the bed for a while. It’s cozy and we just love having him with us. But as Morgan relaxes he seems to spread out in all directions and our Queen Size bed isn’t big enough for three big bodies. Is there any doubt that we adjust? Then as Morgan falls deeper into sleep he often starts making noises. There’s these little trilling growls, followed by a high pitched yelps and then sometime even barks.

My other dogs did this too. But when we first got Morgan he didn’t make these sounds and I think it was because he wasn’t really home yet. Maybe he wasn’t falling into a deep sleep. I remember the first night when he made noises. It startled me, and I slid down and ran my hand along his head to make sure he was all right. He was. Now he does it on a regular basis. Sometimes he even moves his legs, like he’s running. I’ve heard some people call these moments, nightmares, but that’s not how I interpret them. I think he’s having a wonderful dream about swimming after the ducks on the Russian River or at Craigville Beach on Cape Cod. Or, maybe he’s playing with his best friend Cody. Or picking up a scent while hiking on a trail. It’s endearing and I wait for it. When he does it, I know everything is fine and Morgan is in a deep calm sleep and that we can sleep now, knowing he’s okay.

Many of us with pets are already aware of the kinds of things that scientists are just discovering. You know, things like animal emotions and language. Now there are actually studies coming out of respected places like MIT that prove that dogs and cats do indeed dream. In the scientific community, animals are often thought of as reflex machines, operating by instinct alone. But this view is slowly starting to change, and new information about dreaming in animals is unearthing.

I found this article by Maryann Mott, HealthDay from a USA Today Paw Prints post from 2010, http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/pets/2010-06-29-dogs-cats-dream_N.htm

My favorite line from her article is where she quoted Stanley Coren, Ph.D., F.R.S.C., and professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia who said that one of his heroes, Charles Darwin, “basically claimed if you can prove that an animal dreams, then, in effect, you can prove that’s consciousness. Because after all, what is a dream other than a conscious image?”

Isn’t it wonderful when Science catches up with pet owners? Share what noises your fur babies make when they’re sleeping.

 

17 replies
  1. jennifer
    jennifer says:

    Our 9 yr old Golden does the same thing. I thought she was having nightmares. I quietly tell her “its ok Lady. Mommys here.” But now I wondering if in fact its just a dream, a wonderful dream. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Adele McGovern
    Adele McGovern says:

    My 5 mths old puppy does this every night. Sometimes he actually looks like he’s running in his sleep and on occasion is very vocal. I too thought it was bad dreams but my husband reckoned he was chasing squirrels 🙂

    Reply
  3. Tracey
    Tracey says:

    Hello! New reader here, and I wanted to share with you that we too were adopted by a golden who was named Morgan (although she was a female) that lived to the ripe old age of 17! Yes, both she and our current golden talk and dream a lot when they sleep. It is a comforting noise.

    Reply
    • RBGAdmin
      RBGAdmin says:

      Hello Tracey, Nice to hear from you. Morgan is such a great name. Solid and strong. 17! How wonderful for you all. Those noises they make always put a smile on my face. Thanks for sharing. How old is your current Golden and what’s his/her name?

      Thanks for sharing,
      Dan

      Reply
  4. Patti
    Patti says:

    We have a 10 year old beagle/bassett mixed that we rescued 9 years ago. His name is Ernie, that was the name he had when we adopted him so we kept it. Ernie runs, barks, and talks in his sleep!! My kids and I just love it when he does! We make up stories of what he is dreaming about!! Could not love a dog so much!!

    Reply
  5. Patti
    Patti says:

    We have a 10 year old beagle/bassett mixed that we rescued 9 years ago. His name is Ernie, that was the name he had when we adopted him so we kept it. Ernie runs, barks, and talks in his sleep!! My kids and I just love it when he does! We make up stories of what he is dreaming!! Could not love a dog so much!!

    Reply
    • RBGAdmin
      RBGAdmin says:

      Patti, Thanks for sharing. Ernie sounds like quite the character. Making up stories sounds like fun! Sounds like a great home for humans and canine!

      Dan

      Reply

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