I would post this to r/dogs but I’m shadowbanned there because I subbed to TD, conspiracy and some other Covid related subs that were quarantined. You frens are my outlet RN since I’m unemployed and I don’t know any dog experts.
Anyways, I adopted a female 6yo beagle in 2020. She came to IL from TN and had recently had a litter. She was trained. Knew how to sit for things but didn’t understand English commands. So my assumption is she was a backyard breeders dog who likely spoke Spanish to her as she gets very excited when Spanish is spoken around her. Sadly, she is still looking for her original master even to this day☹️ and hasn’t really bonded with us.
My question is this…every time she falls into REM sleep she has nightmares. She growls, her feet twitch and she yelps a lot. She’s clearly having a dream of something violent happening. It happens 3-4 times per day and it’s every time she has REM sleep. She never has interactions in our everyday life that cause her to growl or yelp so this seems odd for her to be reliving some experience so disturbing that she would growl and yelp in her dreams everyday 3-4x per day for the last 4 years? Or am I wrong? Do dogs just have regular dreams of them violently fighting all the time?
What a sad story my Fren. Glad that she's in a much better home now.
We have two large 100 Lb collies.
We've had the 11 year old dog since he was a puppy and he has dreams where he yelps and his feet twitch about once or twice a week. He's had a really easy life and comes in and out of the house as he pleases. Never been attacked or abused.
The other Collie is about 6 (we adopted him about a year ago) but we don't know much about his background. His dreams only have minor foot twitches but no sounds. He's very skittish in tight spaces, doesn't know how to climb stairs and panic eats everything like it's his last meal. If I bounce a tennis ball near him, the quick downward motion of my hand scares him and he scampers away.
I carried him (not easy at 100 lbs) upstairs to be with me the other day. He was totally panicked and was cowering with his head down as if he thought he was in trouble. I think he was abused at some point.
I tend to think it depends on the dog's personality. My scenario is opposite what you are assuming for what it's worth.
Good luck with your Beagle!