Is this normal dog behavior?

Question

My one year old dog sleeps on the foot of my bed at night with me and sometimes in the middle of the night her legs and sometimes her whole bod will shake and twitch. Should I be conserned? I don't think she is cold because my room is always warm. I don't know what to do.

Answer 1

Your dog is probably just having a great dream where she's chasing critters around the yard. Nothing to worry about at all!

Answer 2

Unless she does this all the time and you're afraid she has a medical problem, don't do anything. She's just dreaming. It's normal.

In fact, I can't think of a dog that I've owned or been around for any length of time that doesn't occasionally twitch in his/her sleep. They will sometimes quiver their legs like they're trying to run and/or give quiet little "woofs," too.

My Mom used to say they're just catching squirrels in their sleep because they can't catch them while they're awake.

Sometimes it seems more like they're having nightmares. If our dog cries in his sleep, I usually just say his name quietly couple or times and tell him to go to sleep. He usually just wakes up enough to stop crying and goes right back to sleep.

What I wouldn't do is touch her while she's having a nightmare, she might bite you as a startle response.

If you do think it might be some kind of seizure or another medical problem, call your vet's office and describe what happens. They can tell you if she needs to be seen by the vet, or they can reassure you that nothing's wrong.

Answer 3

Depends on how old the dog is but typically alot of barking when the dog is young. (this also depends on the dog type) Dogs usually interact with other dogs when they are in sight. Weather is typical and all dogs shouldn't really be affected too much. You might see some shake if they are cold. Most dogs typically bark, interact, must be trained or they will make a mess everywhere they go.

Answer 4

She's dreaming! Dogs enter REM sleep just like us, and they will have periods during deep sleep when they will start twitching. Often if you look closely, they appear to be trying to chase something. It's really very cute, and nothing to worry about. If she starts seizing up or shaking during the day when she's awake, you could have cause for concern. But in her sleep it's totally normal.

Answer 5

I know what you mean, my 2 yr old beagle does the same thing ,the first time I thought it was an earthquake boy was I glad it wasn't.I worried that she may be epileptic but no she doesn't have seizures she just dreams, sometimes she cries or gives "soft" barks.Nothing to worry about.

Answer 6

Most likely just a dream of chasing an animal or running after something. Most dogs dream.

Answer 7

Yes, sometimes dogs will twitch in their sleep. My dog does that occasionally. Some people believe that dogs dream in their sleep!

Answer 8

She might just be dreaming, my dog starts running, twitches and yelps in his sleep. Or she might be cold, you could get her a dog sweater.

EDIT:
My dog just laid down next to me and did the SAME thing. I touched his chest because it was jumping- hiccups :) Nothing to worry about.

Answer 9

my dog does the same thing most times it wakes me up, he makes weird noises as well and the only conclusion i have come up with is doggy dreams. :) If this only happens while the dog is sleeping i wouldnt think anything of it. There probably just fun dog-like dreams.

Answer 10

Most dogs do this but you shouldn't be concerned. My dogs sometimes hiccup at night. They do a lot when they are asleep just like we do. (We sleepwalk and talk.) I don't think she's cold, but she can be really nervous, like a greyhound. Dogs have fur for a reason! Hope this helps! Happy trails "tails"