Does Your Sheepie Have Nightmares?
My gut reaction is that she is having a bad dream, so I usually gently call out to her and begin to softly pet her head, just to slowly bring her back to consciousness. When she wakes up she usually nuzzles over and makes these little low-pitched groans that she usually does when she wants attention, or is annoyed. So, what do you think? Do dogs have nightmares? Does that sound like what she's having? Is there some medical explanation? Have any of you ever experienced something like that? |
|
|
| First off, don't worry. Every sheepdog that I have been around does the same thing. We've always said, quietly..."Look, he's chasing rabbits!" and smiled and watched.
Many years ago I did some research on sleep as it fascinated me, and it still does! In people this stage of sleep is known as REM (for Rapid Eye Movement) sleep -- it's a very deep sleep that is most often accompanied by dreams. In people, the body is literally somewhat paralyzed to prevent most movement during this dreaming. In our dogs, I've noticed what appear to be attempts to bark and run that are attenuated in what I've always assumed is the same manner. In people, this stage of sleep normally occurs very deep into the sleep cycle, after about 90 minutes or so, and I've noticed that in dogs it comes a little earlier the first time. (As an aside, some people with a certain type of sleep disorder that causes them to pass from wakefullness directly to REM sleep report that as they are falling asleep they are paralyzed, unable to move, and it is quite a frightening thing.) People who are awakened during REM sleep often find it quite easy to recall dreams, even if they are people who normally can't recall any dreams. We (Joan and I)tried this once or twice at home (again, may years ago), waking each other up and immediately asking "What were you dreaming about?" and the results were amazing. Drugs that interfere with this stage of sleep cause people to wake up not feeling refreshed, and to feel tired and drowsy, even though they slept for 8 hours. Also, if I recall correctly, people who are consistantly awakened during this stage for just a few days start to have waking hallucinations! Anyway, back to your girl-- I haven't done any studying on this in dogs. I just have always assumed that it was the same normal sleep process as in humans. If it is, then I wouldn't wake her during this, unless it was a particularly violent episode, as this is an important stage of sleep for her. |
| Same thing happens here! |
| Truman does the same thing. So does Riley, our cat. When I was a kid, our dog, Lady, did this too. My Dad always said, "Lady is chasing rabbits." I don't know what Riley chases - probably the can opener! |
Both of mine do that. Clyde does a lot of twitching but doesn't usually make a lot of noise. Lucy actually barks and growls in her sleep. When I wake her up to quiet her down she gives me the same look my grandma used to give me when I'd wake her up after she insisted she hadn't dozed off, Like "C'mon, I was awake the whole time, why are you bothering me?"  |
| Hey, ButterScotch - Where is Ferndale? I have a brother in Chelsea, Michigan. He and his wife raise Welsh Springer Spaniels. We haven't talked them into an OES - yet! |
| Both Jack and Annie do the same thing. Jack can sound vicious in his dreams and thrash around. Most of the time it is really cute to watch them, especially when they are laying together and both look like they are having the same dream...LOL
Stormi and co. |
| Chelsea is about 2 hours north of me. Ferndale is in the metro Detroit area. I don't think I've ever actually been up there. I know there's a Komondor breeder there too, which was a breed I was considering. Though I love the look, I knew the upkeep would be too much for me. I guess that's kind of funny considering the OES is no walk in the park either! I guess I knew I could handle mats but I didn't know how to handle cords! |
| Lennon gets like Jack, growls and barks on his sleep, it can be scary if you're not used to it. Sofa runs in her sleep and licks things, she's cute.
Ron's comments are true, it seems that when the dogs do that, they are dreaming (Altough we will never know what they were dreaming about  ), I just may add a word of caution, based on personal experience: NEVER AWAKEN A SLEEPING DOG BY TOUCHING HIM. Startling a sleeping dog can scare him and you may end up bitten, it's just a defense mechanism and the dog means no conscious harm to you. It's better if you call him softly from a safe distance, so he can wake up and be aware of the environment.
They look really cute when they are dreaming, and you cannot stop wondering how intelligent they really are if they are actually dreaming... Gotta love those sheepies! |
| Ron - that's really facinating! I've often woken up around that time and couldn't move - frightening! I was wondering why that happened.
As far as dogs go - oh yeah! They definitly dream - all of my dogs have barked and kicked their little legs out. We always said "They are chasing the mail man!" |
| Very interesting topic.
My girls don't make noises often, though the occasional puppy yap can be heard. LOL In people I read somewhere too that the body twitches when falling asleep in some people because of the brains electrical impulses slowing down and then it's like an occasional power surge if your body is not really sure it is time to sleep. My hubby's always thinks it is time to sleep, and he always pretends to have been awake the whole time toowhen he dozes off for minutes, or hours.  |
| I get the twitches when falling asleep, and occasionally it will wake me up. Usually, my wife is laughing at me because it's very soon after we go to sleep. I guess it's like Pooh Bear, because we laugh at that too! |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|