Dogs very much like to doze. They sleep much more people. But whether they at the same time have dreams? And what?
Many dog breeders noticed that during sleep their pets pull paws, bark, whine, growl, smack the lips, etc. Whether means it what dreams a dog how she chases a cat, hunts or gnaws a bone? Or the dog just feels discomfort?
It is a little about a dog dream
Dogs are the beings possessing higher nervous activity and rather developed sense organs. Therefore, as well as people, dogs are capable to have dreams. Moreover, scientists from the University of British Columbia proved that people and dogs have similar structure of a dream: wakefulness cycle, cycle of a REM and slow sleep. The person has dreams in phases of both a fast, and slow dream. Those that dream in a fast phase, are usually remembered. And to many people they seem strange.
M. Wilson in 2001 conducted researches on rats with the purpose to find out whether they have dreams. In the course of the experiment it was established that during sleep in a brain a rat the same processes, as at the person who dreams a dream are observed. This opening allowed to assume the scientist that all mammals are capable to have dreams.
What dreams do dogs have?
What dreams dogs, it is difficult to learn. But scientists nevertheless tried to make it. They made the next experiment: deactivated the site of a brain which is responsible for the paralysis of muscles occurring during sleep at dogs. Usually, this site of a brain is called the bridge, and it does not work during sleep for those who have sleepwalking. Deactivation of the bridge allowed to observe behavior of dogs during sleep. Experimental did the same, as at wakefulness: sentry dogs tried to catch the thief, hunting — tracked down production, pets — played, etc. This experiment allowed scientists to draw a conclusion that in a dream of a dog, as well as people, touch what happened to them during the day. Thus, dogs dream the fact that most of all they concerned during wakefulness. Stanley Coren managed to prove that duration of a dream of a dog depends on her size. At dogs of small breeds dreams more frequent and short, and at large — on the contrary. Also S. Coren drew a conclusion that dogs, as well as to people, can dream nightmares.
However on a question of whether dogs understand that, having dreams and whether they can remember them, unfortunately, scientists did not manage to find the answer yet.
Whether it is necessary to awake a dog if she growls and whines in a dream?
Dogs need sound and continuous sleep not less, than people. The dream affects both health, and on mental activity of pets. If during sleep the dog whines, growls and pulls paws, then most likely, she dreams a bright dynamic dream. Experts do not advise to awake a dog as it can frighten her. Moreover, statistically, 60% of stings occur when people try to wake the pet during a phase of a REM sleep.
If it is sharp to wake a dog during sleep, she will be disoriented in space, And it can cause in her protective reaction.
Thus, scientists managed not only to prove that dogs have dreams, but also to assume what. Dogs, as well as people, can dream nightmares, but is not necessary, having seen as the pet whines and pulls paws, at once to awake him. The dog can be frightened and bite. If to houses there live children, then it is important to convey this information to them.