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Dog Barking in Sleep: Is It Normal?
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Why dogs bark in their sleep
Per PetMD, dogs shift between non-REM sleep (when the body repairs cells and builds muscle and bone) and REM "rapid eye movement" sleep. Dreaming usually happens in REM, and REM is also linked to motion such as "running" and barking.
VCA's vets explain that during REM the muscles are more relaxed but the mind is active and the eyes dart under the lids. A dog may whine, breathe quickly and move its legs. Part of the brain, the pons, normally stops you from physically acting out dreams.
Some dogs do it more
- Small dogs. PetMD says small breeds alternate between non-REM and REM sleep more often than larger ones, so they tend to dream more and may bark more.
- Puppies. VCA says puppies dream more than adult dogs because they take in so much new information each day.
- Dogs that only bark asleep. Some dogs bark only when sleeping. PetMD says we don't know why, and it is also normal.
What to do (and not do)
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Leave your dog alone and let the dream finish | Wake or touch a dreaming dog; it can be disorienting |
| Move the dog's bed farther from your bedroom, or wear earplugs, if the noise wakes you (PetMD) | Give any sleep medication, human or otherwise, without asking your vet |
| Give your dog a quiet, comfortable place to rest | Let children wake or poke a sleeping dog |
When to ask your vet
- The barking, crying or howling is new or happening more often. PetMD says to mention this to your vet to rule out underlying issues.
- Your dog acts strangely when awake. PetMD says sounds like crying, whining or howling in sleep are probably nothing if your dog doesn't do them awake, but new sounds with odd daytime behavior could signal discomfort.
If your dog is also barking while awake at night, see how to stop a dog barking at night, or puppy crate barking.
Common questions
Is it normal for my dog to bark in their sleep?
Yes. PetMD's reviewing vet says that for the most part, dogs barking and moving in their sleep is completely normal. The most common reason is simply dreaming.
Should I wake my dog up if they bark or whimper in their sleep?
PetMD recommends doing nothing at all. It can be confusing and disorienting for a dog to be woken in the middle of a dream, even one that looks like a nightmare. VCA also notes that about 60% of dog bites to children happen when a child wakes a sleeping dog, so teach children to let sleeping dogs lie.
Why does my small dog seem to dream more?
PetMD says small breeds alternate between non-REM and REM sleep more often than larger ones. VCA gives an example: a toy poodle may dream about every 10 minutes, while a Labrador may dream once every 60 to 90 minutes, with longer dreams.
Can I give my dog something to sleep through the night?
PetMD says not to give your dog any sleep medication. Human sleep medication can be dangerous for dogs, and even dog-safe sedatives still allow dreaming and tend to have side effects. Ask your vet if you are worried.