A Harvard psychologist has shared what she believes dogs dream about on a night – and it’ll likely put a smile on your face if you’re a dog owner or simple an animal lover
There’s nothing quite as heart-melting as watching your dog snooze away, with their little paws twitching as if they’re having a good old run about, or letting out the tiniest of woofs. As devoted dog parents, we’d love to believe they’re dreaming of cosy cuddles on the settee or bounding through meadows with their furry freinds by their side.
Well, Dr Deirdre Barrett, a clinical and evolutionary psychologist at Harvard Medical School, has conducted research into exactly what our four-legged friends get up to in dreamland. According to her findings, it’s highly probable that dogs dream about their daily adventures, much like we humans do, which means there’s every chance they’re dreaming about us, their beloved owners.
Speaking to People, she explained: “Humans dream about the same things they’re interested in by day, though more visually and less logically. There’s no reason to think animals are any different.
Since dogs are generally extremely attached to their human owners, it’s likely your dog is dreaming of your face, your smell and of pleasing or annoying you.
“Whilst there’s no definitive way to determine what exactly a dog is dreaming about, Dr Barrett suggests it’s probable they’re dreaming of having a sprint when their paws or legs start to twitch, or perhaps having a chat with another dog or human when they begin to bark.
She explains that most animals follow similar sleep patterns to humans, cycling through light, deep and REM sleep phases. It’s during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep that dreams unfold for humans, making this our best bet for when other creatures might also be experiencing their own nocturnal adventures.
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For humans, REM sleep generally kicks off around 90 minutes into slumber and spans between five to 15 minutes, with each phase extending as the night progresses
.Dr Barrett suggests pet owners can enhance their dog’s dreams by ensuring they have “happy daytime experiences” and creating a secure, cosy spot for them to settle down at night
.However, when it comes to nightmares, the American Kennel Club recommends owners should “let sleeping dogs lie” as they might lash out at whoever disturbs their rest.
Their guidance states: ” Not all human dreams are good. We infer that dogs can have nightmares, too. These nightmares are hard to watch.
“It can be tempting to wake your dog to comfort her, as you would a child, but there are some risks associated with doggy nightmares that you should share with your family.
“If you’ve ever been woken from a scary dream, you know that it can take a minute to remember where you are and whom you are with.
“Like some people, dogs can react aggressively toward the person waking them. This can be dangerous, especially for children.
“The best thing that you can do for a dog you think is having a bad dream is to wait for your dog to wake up and be there to comfort him. “.
Commenting on this revelation, one dog owner said: “My dog is always running in his dreams and if he’s not running he’s whimpering.”
Another added: “The dog one may be true because I always chase my dog and she always bark and when she is sleeping she also barks.” A third said: “I didn’t know that – thanks a lot.”
