Although we people like to think that we are different from other animals, we are similar in many ways. Did you know that even your dog may seem dreams? And not only that, it scares him nightmares.
A peaceful sleep, much needed to rest, regenerate and classify new knowledge and thoughts, can turn into a scary experience from a second into a second into a scary experience that you want to wake up very quickly. Like humans, there are animals, specifically dogs are facing nightmares quite commonly. Why and what can we do as their partners?
Even dogs do not have it easy in life, as youtube shows a video in the channel Miracles of the world:
Source: YouTube
Dreaming is important
Dog dreaming does not differ much from the human, appears in the so-called non-Rem phase, ie in deep sleep, when the animal in the mind emerges mainly sections from the normal day, or can “repeat” newly acquired knowledge and abilities.
Scientists have even proven that if the puppy learns a new command, it will respond better to sleep. So it clearly means that this part of his life offers the dog the opportunity to better remember what he needs in the next life.
When the brain invented horrors …
But in the mentioned phase of deep sleep, we would hardly know what is happening in his brain, even though there is a lot. It is different in the REM phase, as we know from our own experience. At that moment, the brain seems to have begun to invent nonsensical scenarios sometimes full of horror situations that can be driven into a stressful situation.
People can imagine unpleasant situations in the exam or at work, but the dog’s brain, of course, goes on its own. He can remind his wearer traumatic moments, whether recently or even a few years away, can think that the animal has lost its breeder and found itself in an unknown environment…
Nightmare
Such stress moments during sleep cause classic nightmares with their normal manifestations. How do we know that the animal suffers from such a thing? We should definitely think about it when he begins to twitch during his sleep, heard howling, barking, steep leg movements, as if a dog wanted to escape someone or something.
Some dogs can also cry. These are all external manifestations of brain activity in REM sleep phase. Perhaps the breeder will be sorry for such a dog and in an effort to help him wake him up. But experts do not recommend such a procedure.
Don’t be a dog too fast
The dog, unnaturally awakened during such an experience, can be disoriented for quite a long time, because he will transfer his dream to reality. We cannot then be surprised that he will bit his owner, or behave differently aggressively or frightened. It will be better if you just carefully put your hand on his chest. The animal should calm down in seconds.
How to prevent?
Much better than solving such problems is prevention. It has been shown that nightmares are more and more often troubled by dogs who pass or have gone through the traumatic period in the past. Sometimes it can be ordinary movements, the arrival of a new family member (whether human or animal) and the like.
In the worst case, it is about abuse, possibly a sense of loneliness and the like. Such states need to be prevented and counting on the fact that we have to give the dog a chance to process any change. Of course, there is no point in talking about suffering.
Calm and silence
To sleep well, it needs a quiet environment with a minimum of noise, light and other disturbing moments. He should have his bed in the corner where he will be able to enjoy privacy without disturbing perceptions. Certainly not a suitable place for example the corridor where someone is still going through.
The dog is a “regime animal”
Another condition that we should give our furry friend without resistance is a regular regime. The same time of feeding, walking and also sleep – that’s exactly what the dog needs. Can you give him such a quiet and happy life without nightmares?
Sources: eu.usatoday.com, www.petmd.com, www.akc.org
