Why do dogs bark in their sleep?

Why do dogs bark in their sleep? It’s an intriguing question, and dog sleep barking can be seen in dogs of all ages, breeds, and sexes. The good news is, it's a completely normal dog thing to do! 
In this article, we look at why dogs bark in sleep and what doggy sleep cycles look like. When you’re dealing with a sleep-barking dog, it can be common to worry - read on for some additional tips on what to do when your dog barks in sleep.

Why do dogs bark while sleeping?

Dogs bark during sleep because they are dreaming. This is a completely natural process and nothing to be concerned about. Dreaming occurs in REM sleep, and dogs can have more than one dream sleep a night.  

Signs of doggy dreaming include barking, twitching, or moving their legs like running. Dogs can have good dreams, can dream nothing, and even have bad dreams, just like us. 

Understanding a dog’s sleep cycle

Just like us humans, dogs have two sleep phases of a sleep cycle: REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM sleep. During sleep, a dog will go through cycles of REM and non-REM sleep throughout the night. 

Large dog breeds have the same sleep cycle as humans, that is a sleep cycle that lasts around 90 minutes. Small breed dogs however have a much shorter sleep cycle, which is why you may notice smaller breed dogs sleep barking more often than larger breed dogs. 

Related article: How much do dogs sleep?

Reasons a dog may bark in their sleep

The main reason why dogs bark in their sleep is because they are dreaming, but there are other causes that are less common. Some dogs might bark when turning or adjusting position, and a single bark or a short series of barks can be related to pain somewhere in the body. 

Your dog may look to be asleep, but actually just resting and they may hear a noise outside and bark as they usually would when awake. Dogs have around ten minutes on average of active rest before falling asleep properly.

What should you do if your dog barks in their sleep?

While dog dream barking is completely normal, if you find the noise of your dog barking in their sleep disturbing your sleep, try using ear plugs, noise-canceling headphones, or create more space between your dog's resting area and yours. Sleeping in separate rooms, for example, can help reduce wake-ups from dogs barking and growling in their sleep. 

It may be tempting to try and wake your dog or tell them to be quiet when they start barking late at night, but this can be frightening for dogs, so is best avoided!

Whilst debarking (a medical procedure to remove the vocal cords) is permitted in most US states, it's considered unethical, and should not be considered as a solution to stopping your dog barking in sleep. 

When should you be concerned about sleep barking?

If your dog's behavior has changed during the day, you have noticed a sudden increase in your dog barking or growling in their sleep, or not being able to sleep and rest properly for any length of time, you should contact your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to check your pet's health and look for any clues that your dog may be in pain, such as having osteoarthritis. 

Pet trackers can be easily fitted to your dog's collars and monitor the times they are sleeping and resting, and this can give you more information as to whether your dog's sleep is broken or disrupted - again, another sign that they may need a health check at the vet. 

Dreaming of your next vacation? Find a loving, verified sitter who’ll keep your sleepy pooch safe and happy at home. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been written by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.