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?
Hey fren, I have had "working dogs" all my life, most "dream" a few times a day, I wouldn't be too concerned. Often people get the bonding element the wrong way around, greeting the dog as soon as they walk in the door at home, make a fuss before they leave, and generally use to many words for commands etc. As hard as it is try to ignore the dog a bit more, let him/her come too you rather than the other way around and often silence with words works best. Try writing down a list of basic commands, sit stay heel etc and don't allow anyone to add "good dog" etc after the dog has done want you said. I stress all my dogs have been for working, and it's a bit different than a domestic pet, although never have any of my dogs ever been hit, beaten or overly aggressive with. If you want to ask anything fire away.