Chapter 1: The Dreaming Dog

Zoey is a dreamer. (Photo of Zoey by Jody Wright)

Dogs, like many vertebrates, engage in dreaming. Even rats and fruit flies exhibit this behavior! But before you leap to conclusions, let's clarify—I'm not referring to those kinds of dreams! What I mean is that scientists assert that dogs are indeed capable of dreaming.

If you've ever observed your furry companion while they sleep, you may have noticed a variety of signs indicating that they are dreaming. Their legs might twitch as if they are chasing after that ever-elusive squirrel, and they may even suckle as if seeking comfort from their mother. Rapid eye movements, muscle twitches, and soft whines or barks often accompany this state of slumber. All these actions occur beneath their closed eyelids.

I often find myself wanting to connect with my Lab-Shar Pei mix, Dali (named after the surrealist artist Salvador Dali), to uncover what visions dance in her mind during her sleep. I adopted her into a loving home filled with affection, play, and toys, yet I can't help but wonder about her past experiences. When I soothe her during troubling dreams, my voice seems to comfort her and dispel any nightmares.

Sadly, Dali, now sixteen, appears to be haunted by memories at night. (Photo by Jody Wright)

This pondering led me to consider the nature of canine dreams. It’s not a question of whether they dream, but rather what occupies their minds during these moments. The American Kennel Club (AKC) references a study involving rats, suggesting that their dreams often mirror their daily activities. Just like humans, dogs seem to relive their daytime experiences during sleep.

In one notable experiment, lab rats spent their days navigating a maze while scientists monitored their brain activity. When these rats entered REM sleep, the same brain regions activated as when they were running the maze, indicating they were likely dreaming of their daytime activities. Researchers could even identify specific areas of the maze the rats were reliving in their dreams.

While I may never discern the exact nature of Dali's dreams, I know they are significant and will always reside in her memory. Not every dog I've cared for has had such haunting dreams. My beloved chocolate lab, Ryan, would wag his tail energetically while dreaming, radiating happiness both awake and asleep.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, dogs spend about half of their day sleeping. Remarkably, older dogs tend to sleep even more. Stanley Coren, a psychology professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia, discovered that smaller dogs dream more frequently than larger breeds. Interestingly, larger dogs may have fewer dreams, but their dreams tend to last longer.

Additionally, a dog's breed influences its dreams. For instance, a Labrador with a penchant for chasing tennis balls is more likely to dream about those very pursuits, which can be seen in their twitching legs.

It’s comforting to realize that our canine companions share this dream-filled experience with us. Their fears and joys manifest during sleep, revealing just how similar they are to us in this intimate aspect.

Sweet dreams to all our furry friends—young and old alike!

What do you think Zoey dreams about? I suspect it involves her favorite toy! (Photo by Jody Wright)

Have you ever watched your dog dream? What do you imagine they are dreaming of? I'd love to hear your thoughts!