Dog Parenting 101: Why Does My Dog Cry In His Sleep
Are you worried about your dog’s incessant cries during its sleep? Then, you have come to the right place. Dog parents often get worried when they see that their furry pets have an uncomfortable sleep. The constant ‘whining’ scares them out. Their reasons are valid! A dog may cry in its sleep for both negative and positive reasons.
It means that in some cases, it will not be anything serious. You will have to visit a vet to get your dog checked. Here, we have listed down some common causes of when a dog cries in his sleep.
Why Does My Dog Cry in His Sleep?
Dogs have several personality traits that become known to parents with time. Crying in sleep is one of them. There are several ‘non-serious’ reasons for a dog’s crying. Before we delve into it, let us see some of the serious causes of a dog’s cries.
Boredom
Dogs have a lot of energy, and most of the time, especially when pet parents are out of the house for work, they don’t get the chance to utilize their energy. As a result, once the lights are out and everyone has gone to sleep, the dog is left to itself. It then starts whining because it wants to have its owners’ attention.
Usually, your dog’s sleeping schedule is not linked with yours. When you are tucked in the bed, assuming that your dog is comfortably asleep in its bed, your dog is actually looking for something to do. A good way to deal with this situation is to get your dog to play before bedtime so that it is completely exhausted as soon as you make them go to bed.
Dog’s Age
One of the most common reasons for a canine’s cries is its age. Puppies whine a lot. It is because they either miss their moms or want their new human parents’ attention. Ignoring puppies at this time sounds a bit selfish and heartless. But the best way to handle the situation is to ignore them. With time, they will leave their habit.
However, if you start giving attention to your puppy every time it whines, it will never break free from this habit. Also, this will go on in later years as well, making it difficult for you to get your dog to break this habit. Consider your puppies’ whining a normal occurrence and don’t react – yes, this will require a lot of patience, but you will have to do it.
Training
Many dogs whine at night because they never had any training to refrain from this habit. Dogs need a professional trainer to learn how not to repeat certain habits. A dog’s lack of training plays an important role in your dog’s stubborn behaviors in the later years of its life.
Behavioral classes for your dog can be a good solution in this regard. Also, you can hire a professional trainer for some extra and special attention for your dog. Dogs who couldn’t get trained in their early years often find it difficult to cope with the pressures of training, but with time and care, they can get trained. Just be careful that your dog is not facing any undue pressure. The trainer that you hire must be patient enough as well. Most trainers understand the unique requirements of dogs. But it is best to talk to your trainer and be open about the behavioral issues of your dog.
Many parents hide the reality with trainers out of fear that they will be judged for their bad parenting. But that’s not the case. There are so many reasons for your furry pet’s behavioral issues. So just be truthful and work out a plan for addressing these issues.
A Bad Dream
Have you seen your dog crying in its sleep? The reason is that your dog may be dreaming. Yes, dogs do dream! It is a common trait, and there is nothing to worry about. Let your dog enjoy its sleep and let them ‘watch’ the dream. Sometimes, if the dream is intense, your furry friend will wake up on its own. If you think that they need ‘petting’ to go back to sleep, console them. Otherwise, most dogs fall asleep with ease.
How a Dog’s Crying Suggests Some Serious Concerns
Here are some reasons that suggest that your dog’s crying during sleep is a bit serious:
Digestive Issues
Dogs who are unable to digest their food are more likely to cry in their sleep. This is because they feel ‘bloated’ because of all the undigested food. To ensure that your dog doesn’t go through this medical problem, you should always choose high-quality dog food for your little pooches. Also, switch to bland and ‘light’ meals for a few days to ease your pet’s symptoms. Plain rice with boiled/steamed chicken is a great meal to give to your pet whenever it has an upset stomach.
Pain
Some dogs cry out loud when they are in pain. Your senior dogs – who mostly develop arthritis – may also cry in their sleep or when they are being hugged. This is because any human touch triggers pain in the body.
You cannot solve this situation. It is advisable to consult a vet and get a medical evaluation done. Pets’ medical problems need to be resolved on time because if they flare up, they sometimes become unmanageable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does a dog dream?
Ans: Yes. There is sufficient evidence that suggests that dogs do dream–like humans. However, it is unknown what a dog’s dream looks like for obvious reasons. Maybe their dreams are as vivid as human’s – but it is just an assumption. Of course, there is no way your dog can tell you what dream they had.
Q: Should I wake my dog up if I see it crying in its sleep?
Ans: No! And that is a strong no. You don’t know what a dog is thinking at the moment. If you wake it up, it will react rather aggressively. There are chances of scratches and, in some cases, bites. What you can do is to call its name and wait for the dog to wake up on its own. If it ignores your calls, leave it as is.
The Final Word
What do you think? Why does your dog cry in its sleep? If your vet has already ruled out the chances of a medical illness, you should relax as your dog is not going through any pain. In cases where your dog does have an ailment, early diagnosis and treatment can help them recover as quickly as possible.
