What Do Dog Dreams Mean?

Aunty Flo, the author of the Moon Dust Dream Dictionary, is known for her accessible approach to dream interpretation and spirituality. According to Aunty Flo, the dog’s temperament in the dream says multitudes about its meaning. A friendly dog can symbolise someone in your life guiding or guarding you, and a happy dog is a “sign of recovery,” especially if you are dealing with anxiety or difficulties. If anxiety affects your sleep, you might find helpful tips in our guide on reducing anxiety for a better night’s sleep.

However, dog dreams may also involve protecting someone from an angry or violent dog. Freud said that dreams that include an act of saving are the same as parturition (the action of childbirth) dreams and that saving someone, especially from a dog, is equivalent to giving birth if the dreamer is a woman.

These different variations of dog dreams have their own symbolism and meaning for your waking life.

Dreaming about a dog you know is typical and can tell you something about your current relationships and how you relate to the emotions of others. These dreams can tell you if you are being too closed off to people, too naïve, or what to do to heal your current relationships. If you dream about playing with your or someone else’s dog, it might indicate meeting someone who will become your good friend.

A dog from your past appearing in your dream can be a pleasant experience, especially if you miss them. This kind of dream is highly significant in unexpected ways. For example, if you dream about a loving childhood pet, it could signify a need for comfort. Likewise, dreaming about a dog you previously owned or still have could mean you’re “missing something or someone in your life.” says Aunty Flo. Finding the missing link between your dreams and emotions can help you tackle the cause and resolve any unresolved trauma in your waking life.

A dream about a dog chasing you may indicate that you’re avoiding some aspect of yourself in waking life. Your subconscious tells you to face your fears and be your authentic self. According to Sigmund Freud, this is generally considered an “anxiety” dream, indicating troubles, pressures and, more significantly, the general feeling of worry.

You could face turbulence in your love life; the dream is a sign you want to escape. Being chased by a pack of dogs could signal that you have a lot of burdens or psychological pressure, indicating that it’s time to rest.

Dreaming of an angry dog growling, howling or snapping can represent that you conflict with yourself. Angry dogs in dreams can also reflect feelings of anger towards someone else. They can also symbolise a loss of temper. Sometimes, this dream can signify a person in your life who has an angry attitude and a bad temper.

To dream of a sweet little puppy is said to characterise your happy-go-lucky personality. Happy puppies can be representative of a nurturing instinct deep within you. According to Aunty Flo, seeing puppies with their mother can symbolise your love of nurturing and even imply a desire to have children.

It could also indicate that a relationship or friendship grows deeper with time. A litter of newborn puppies in your dream can represent the duration it might take you to see your plan come to pass or the amount of time it will take you to develop an idea.

Although we can’t ask our canine companions directly, studies suggest that dogs dream similarly to humans. Dr. Deirdre Barrett, a clinical and evolutionary psychologist at Harvard Medical School, has explored this topic and found that dogs likely dream about their everyday experiences. Barrett suggests, “Since dogs are generally extremely attached to their human owners, it’s likely your dog is dreaming of your face, your smell, and of pleasing or annoying you.”

Additionally, your dog’s daily activities can influence not just the content but also the frequency of their dreams. For example, if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors running and playing, they’re likely to experience longer REM sleep — the stage where dreaming is most likely to occur.

So, the next time you see your furry friend’s legs twitching or hear their muffled barks during sleep, it’s likely they’re dreaming about chasing a ball, a fun day at the park, or a joyful moment spent by your side.

Yes, just like us, dogs can experience nightmares. This could manifest as your dog whimpering, growling, or kicking their legs while asleep and these behaviours may indicate a bad dream.

However, as hard as it is to see them distressed, José Arce of the American Veterinary Medical Association advises against waking your dog. Interrupting their sleep can startle them, possibly causing confusion or fear. Instead, let them naturally transition out of their dream. Providing a calm, comforting environment when they wake up can help reassure them.

According to Stanley Coren, a professor emeritus of psychology at the University of British Columbia, a dog’s breed may influence its dreaming patterns. His research suggests that smaller dogs dream more frequently than larger ones. For example, a pug might experience a dream every ten minutes, while a Labrador may dream just once per hour. The duration of these dreams also varies—while a pug’s dream might last only a minute, a Labrador’s could extend up to ten minutes. Thus, a dog’s breed appears to affect both the frequency and duration of their dreams.