[dobies4ever]

I’m just wondering if anyone out there has a dobe who has nightmares. We have had our rescue for 6 months now. This boy does not have the typical dreams where he is chasing bunnies like my previous dogs. He growls and snarls at whatever seems to be chasing him and wakes up in a defensive panicky state. This happens quite frequently and has not changed in frequency since we have had him. We have to warn guests that when he does this it’s not directed at them. We do not know much about him since he was picked up as an emaciated stray but we can tell his past was somewhat violent. All in all he is a super dog and we love him to bits. His personality is coming out more and more but we were hoping the nightmares would decrease, poor guy. Has anyone else ever witnessed a dog having bad dreams?

 

[dobienut]

poor lil guy

 

[Audrey1]

Yes, Audrey used to cry or seem in distress once in awhile in her sleep but she doesn't anymore. She also was an abandoned stray left to fend for herself before AC picked her up.

 

[Maschka1]

my oldest boy, who I have had since he was 11 weeks old, has had bad dreams on and off his whole life. He used to just whimper occasionally, and I would go sit next to him, pet his head and tell him he was OK. Sometimes he wouldn't even wake up, just settle down and go back to dreaming.
When we started having serious issues with my other male, who passed away, last year, his dreams started to get more "unhappy" with growling, snarling, and even the occasional screaming. A few times he did it in the middle of the night and scared me to death, I thought he was dieing, but when I went over to him to see what was going on he just groaned and looked at me like, "why did you wake me up, mom?"
I have to imagine dogs use dreaming very much like we do. If they are going through stress in their lives, whats not to say they couldn't have nightmares?

 

[dobies4ever]

Thanks Audrey1 how long did it take her to stop crying in her sleep?

 

[Herb2relax]

Kyrah has had one dream I am aware of that she was growling and carrying on in her sleep. It was in the middle of the night. I definately wasnt sticking my hand down there. (Her bed is on side of mine where I sleep) I cant remember where I read it. But it said you shouldnt wake a dog from sleeping while its having a dream. Tippy has dreams where she makes whining noises more frequently. I can see when the two females get into a deep sleep. Their legs start twitching and their body jumps a bit along with their legs moving. Cujo on the other hand doesnt seem to do this very much or I havent noticed. He probably dreams the same way he lives his life; without a care in the world.

 

[CoDobe]

Both my Dobes (M/F) have sporadic dreams where they seemed distressed. I usually just let them go through it and when they come out of it, just love on them and speak softly.

 

[Audrey1]

Thanks Audrey1 how long did it take her to stop crying in her sleep?

About a year, I think. But she didn't do it a lot. It's just that when she did, it was heartbreaking.

 

[dobermansrule]

Quincy's worst ones are of his food running out

 

[GingerGunlock]

Elka sometimes barks like a puppy in her sleep. Like a puppy, not like how she barks now. She's also occasionally growled, which is disconcerting when she sleeps with her head on one of your body parts!

 

[OliviaB]

Gunner dreams A LOT! Like at least a few times a day. He usually barks in his sleep and sometimes growls...ALWAYS runs. I don't know if they are bad dreams, but sometimes they defintely don't seem pleasant.

 

[Lady Kate]

It hurts my heart when Sofia whimpers and cries in her sleep.. I have always wondered about her past. Maybe I humanize her too much...
NAW.. not me..

I will go to her, and softly stroke her, ( only enough to disrupt the REM.. )and whisper to her that she is safe and loved and will always be with us.

 

[bean]

So sad. My dogs will very occasionally growl or whimper or make puppy barks but it's nothing like what you're describing, and they never wake in a panicky state.

Hopefully with time and distance from his past experience it will lessen. I guess in the meantime you and your guests will just know that he's not a dog to be bothered when he sleeps, especially since he wakes up disoriented.

How frequently does it happen? I wonder if something like Rescue Remedy would help? It can help people get to sleep when they have thoughts roaming around in their heads, and it can relax dogs, but I honestly don't know if it would help your guy during sleep. It wouldn't hurt to try though.... it's very benign. You can get it online or at a natural foods store.

 

[dobies4ever]

Thanks Erica, I will look into a natural remedy to help him out it won't hurt to try. We always tell him he's ok once he is up and try turn things positive for him. He is a really sensitive dog, I'm sure time will heal.