Why Does My Dog Bark or Growl in Their Sleep?
Updated: 4 days ago
You're just dropping off when a low growl comes from the dog bed. Your dog is fast asleep, paws paddling, lips twitching, and then there's a muffled little "woof". It can be really funny and a bit unnerving at the same time, but most of the time it's simply your dog dreaming. So here's what's going on, whether you should wake them (I wouldn't), and how to tell a dream from something your vet should see.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Dogs bark, growl, whine and twitch in their sleep because they dream, much like we do. It happens in the dreaming stage of sleep, when the brain is busy but the body is mostly switched off, so small sounds and movements slip through. It's normal, and it's more common in puppies and older dogs. Let them sleep, and only call your vet if it's new, getting worse, or looks more like a seizure than a dream.
Why does my dog bark in their sleep?
Dogs go through the same broad stages of sleep that we do, including a stage called REM sleep, short for rapid eye movement. That's the stage where dreaming happens. The brain is very active, but the body is mostly relaxed, so you get little leaks: a twitch of the paws, a flicker of the eyes behind the lids, a whine, a growl or a soft bark.
Puppies spend more of their sleep in this dreaming stage than adult dogs, which is partly why young dogs seem to "talk" in their sleep so much. Older dogs often have more broken sleep too.
What do dogs dream about?
We can't ask them, so nobody knows for certain. What we do know is that research on rats found their brains replaying the day's activities while they slept, and dogs' sleep looks very similar. So it's likely your dog is going over their day: the walk, the squirrel, the dog over the road, the game in the garden.
A dog who barks or growls in their sleep is probably reacting to something in the dream, in much the same way they would when awake.
Is my dog having a nightmare?
They might be, but a growl doesn't have to mean a bad dream. It could be an exciting chase or a game. If your dog wakes up and settles straight back down, there's nothing to worry about. If they often wake up startled, confused or upset, it's worth keeping a note and mentioning it to your vet.
Should I wake my dog up when they bark in their sleep?
Usually, no. "Let sleeping dogs lie" is good advice here. A dog woken suddenly from a vivid dream can be startled and confused for a moment, and even the gentlest dog might snap before they know where they are. That's especially worth remembering with children in the house.
If you do need to wake them, call their name softly from a little distance rather than touching them, and give them a moment to come round.
Is it dreaming or a seizure?
This is the one that worries people most, so it's worth knowing the difference.
Dreaming
Short bursts of twitching, paddling or soft noises
Your dog wakes easily if you call their name
They're alert and normal straight away when they wake
Possible seizure
The whole body goes stiff or jerks hard, often for longer
Your dog can't be woken or doesn't respond to you
Drooling, wetting themselves or losing control of their bowels
Confusion, wobbliness or pacing afterwards
If you think it might be a seizure, keep your hands away from their mouth, move anything they could hurt themselves on, time it, and film it if you can. Then phone your vet.
When should I worry about my dog barking in their sleep?
Speak to your vet if:
It's new, or happening a lot more than it used to
Your dog seems distressed, or can't settle after waking
They wake up confused, especially if they're older
You see any of the seizure signs above
In older dogs, restless nights and confusion can sometimes be a sign of canine cognitive dysfunction, which is a bit like dementia in people, so it's worth a check.
How can I help my dog sleep well?
1. A calm evening
Keep the last hour before bed quiet. Rough games and wild zoomies right before bed make it harder for a dog to settle.
2. A last trip outside
A toilet break and a few minutes of sniffing in the garden help your dog wind down and stop them waking with a full bladder.
3. The right spot
Most dogs sleep best somewhere quiet and out of the walkway, not too hot and away from draughts. Some like to be near you, others prefer a bit of space.
4. Enough rest overall
Dogs need far more sleep than people think, often 12 to 14 hours a day for adults and more for puppies. An overdone dog often sleeps worse, not better.
RENEE'S TIP
If you're not sure what you're seeing, film it on your phone. A short video tells your vet far more than a description at 3am ever could.
QUICK CHECK
ā Short twitches and soft noises are usually just dreaming
ā Let them sleep, or call their name softly from a distance
ā Stiff body, can't be woken or drooling? Time it, film it, phone your vet
ā New, more often or upsetting? Mention it to your vet
ā Calm evenings and a quiet sleeping spot
FROM RENEE'S BOOKSHELF
The Modern Guide to the Calm Puppy
Step-by-step help for settling, rest and everyday calm, for puppies and young dogs.
FAQs
Why does my dog growl in his sleep?
Most likely he's dreaming. Dogs make noises during the dreaming stage of sleep, and a growl is probably a reaction to something in the dream. It's normal, and he'll usually settle on his own.
Why do dogs bark in their sleep?
Because they dream. During dreaming sleep the brain is very active and small sounds and movements slip through, like barks, whines, twitches and paddling paws.
What do dogs dream about when they bark in their sleep?
Nobody can say for sure, but it's likely they're replaying their day, such as walks, games, other dogs or a squirrel they spotted. Research on animal sleep suggests the brain goes over recent experiences during dreaming.
When dogs bark in their sleep, are they having a nightmare?
Not necessarily. It could just as easily be an exciting chase or a game. If your dog wakes up calm and settles back down, there's nothing to worry about.
Should I wake my dog if they're barking in their sleep?
It's usually best to let them sleep. A dog woken suddenly from a dream can be startled and may snap. If you need to, call their name softly from a short distance rather than touching them.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Renee Patience Ā· National Dog Trainer of the Year 2025
Founder and head trainer of Paws Academy, with more than 30 years training dogs and a Level 6 Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour. Renee has competed in agility, obedience and heelwork to music across the UK, including at Crufts and Olympia, has appeared on CBBC, and is the author of the Modern Training Guides and the Modern Breed Handbook series. Pictured with her boxer, Kookie.
