My dog twitches in her sleep...?

Question

She is a German Shepherd, 10 years old. When she's asleep, I often see her twitching and kicking her legs about. Not wildly, but a little bit twitchy. I've been told she's having dreams, but good ones? Or bad ones? And should I wake her up?

Answer 1

She's dreaming... it's up to you whether you want to wake her up or not...  Does anyone wake you up when you have a nightmare?

Answer 2

wow

Answer 3

She's probably dreaming about chasing cats! All dogs do it!

Answer 4

She's dreaming. Nothing wrong. Don't bother her.

Answer 5

She's dreaming.  I used to wake my old dog up until I realized I startle her everytime so I stop.

Answer 6

oh thats normal all dogs do that

dont worry about it

Answer 7

She is just dreaming. You don't need to wake her up. She's fine. She is probably have a good dream... maybe about chasing a cat or something...

Answer 8

Lots of dogs do this.

Let sleeping dogs lie.

Answer 9

My dog does that when she is dreaming. lol

Answer 10

Not to worry twitching is normal.  Had an 11yr. old Boxer (Spencer R.I.P.)  who dreamed since he was a pup.  Surprised you have never seen her twitch before. Don't wake her up - no matter what.

Was told by a friend that she had a dog that she had woken up and was so startled that she had a  heart attack & died!   Don't mean to scare you  however since she told me this I just let dreaming dogs lie.  I would never want to try & jeopardize her health.

Answer 11

I have a 2 year old Australian Terrier and he does that alot too.

He sometimes does little barks too but I tend not to wake him because it would be unsettling for him.

The vet told me that if the dog wakes up suddenly [with a jolt, raised head etc.] it was probably having a bad dream so if your dog wakes up suddenly after her dreams then she's most likely having bad ones so I'd wakes her up gently.

Hope I helped, X.

Answer 12

Probably just a nightmare. My dog does this all the time, I think because the previous owner was abusive. But he's fine now. Anyway, your dog's nightmares are most likely as common as human nightmares, you shouldn't worry.

Answer 13

I'm not a pet psychologist so I cannot infer that your pet has dreams and as a result twitch in her sleep. However, I can asure you that this is a normal reaction when dogs are asleep. Don't wake her, this may startle her. Your dog's health is not in jeapory because of this so rest asure.

Answer 14

Hello dog owner,

Just so you know, most dogs do this! in fact, my cousin owns an old German Shepard mix named J.T. && it always moves its legs a bit andtwitches in it's sleep! It even occasionaly barks in its sleep!

      my cousin asked a vet, and the vet said that almost all dogs do this in their sleep because they are having dreams. & usually their dreams are about doing everyday activities like chasing animals, fetching a ball, etc.[thats why they are moving their legs or barking or twitching]

      so if i were you, i would not wake up your dog. she is most-likely having a completely normal dream. Only wake up your dog if she is wining. because then you know it is a bad dream!

hope i helped!

Answer 15

Don't worry my dog does that too. She is probably just dreaming.

Answer 16

Isn't it funny to watch your dog dream??  I have a one year old Chocolate Lab.  And she dreams everytime she falls asleep.  She twiches and kicks just like yours does.  But I have never woken her up.  Just like a person having a ngithmare, let them sleep through it.  It will jsut scare her and make her jump if you wake her up.

I often wondered the same thing as you though.....what is it she is dreaming about.  I picture her dreaming about wide open fields of grass and butterflies and her running around as a free spirit chasing the butterflies and having fun.  It may sound silly, but I hope they are all wonderful dreams like this.

Answer 17

your doggie is probley dreaming,, could be bad or good dreams.  You shouldnt wake your dog up as ur dog could be in a deep sleep.  

Answer 18

my sister a has 2 pit bulls like one 2 yrs and one 4 yrs.

they do the same

no big  deal

there having dreams

Answer 19

she's just dreaming my dog does it too and  if she doesn't wake herself up it's probably a good dream you don't have to wake her up b/c she'll fall asleep again in a little while and start all over again

Answer 20

Dogs DO dream although I've often wondered what they dream about.  They must be chasing rabbits (good dream) or being chased by a humongous rabbit (bad dream); either one could cause the twitching.  Let her sleep unless breathing becomes labored, then just gently stroke her side and remind her that she's right here with you.  Don't yell or clap to awaken her.

Answer 21

my cat does that and so does my brother i think he's just having nightmares

Answer 22

thats fine shes just dreaming it can be good or bad most dogs do it its completely normal