Dogs are known for their loyalty and affection towards their owners, and according to a Harvard psychologist, this deep attachment may well extend into their dog dreams during REM sleep07:40, 09 Jun 2026Watching a dog sleep is adorable, especially when their paws twitch as though they're sprinting or they let out a little bark. As pet owners, we often picture them dreaming about snuggling with us on the sofa or bounding through an open field with fellow dogs.‌Dr Deirdre Barrett, a clinical and evolutionary psychologist at Harvard Medical School, previously carried out a study to cast light on what dogs might actually dream about. She suggests dogs most likely dream about their everyday experiences, much as humans do, which means they could quite possibly be dreaming about their owners. Speaking to People, she said: "Humans dream about the same things they're interested in by day, though more visually and less logically.‌"There's no reason to think animals are any different. 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."‌While it's impossible to know precisely what a dog dreams about, Dr Barrett believes that when a dog's paws or legs twitch, they're most likely dreaming about running, and when they begin barking, they could be interacting with another dog or person in their dream.She points out that most animals share similar sleep cycles to humans, moving through light, deep, and REM sleep stages. It is during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep that humans dream, leading experts to believe this is most likely when other animals, dogs included, experience their own dreams.‌In humans, REM sleep typically kicks in around 90 minutes into a nap and lasts between five to 15 minutes, with each cycle growing longer as the night goes on.Dr Barrett suggests that owners can improve their dog's dreams by providing "happy daytime experiences" and making sure they have a safe and comfortable environment for a good night's rest.However, when it comes to nightmares, the American Kennel Club warns owners to "let sleeping dogs lie" owing to the risk of an aggressive reaction if they are woken suddenly.‌A statement reads: "Not all human dreams are good. We infer that dogs can have nightmares, too. These nightmares are hard to watch."It goes on: "Like some people, dogs can react aggressively toward the person waking them. This can be dangerous, especially for children."The wisest course of action, they advise, is to allow your dog to wake naturally before offering reassurance.Article continues belowSharing their thoughts on their dog's dreams, one Reddit user said: "My dog is definitely hunting/chasing something in her sleep. Her legs move like she's running and she lightly barks with her mouth closed."Another user added: "One of my rescues used to shake and whine while sleeping so I'd slowly wake her up because it broke my heart."She was a cutie. I'm hoping all the other rescues out there are free of nightmares and only dream of bacon."