Dogs likely dream about their human companions during sleep, says study
Dogs
Many of us have observed our canine companions during sleep, witnessing their noses twitch, legs move as though in a sprint, and even hearing their muted barks. After a day filled with frolics on the beach, romps through the countryside, or exploring the backyard, a lot could berunning on theirminds as they slumber. Now, a study by Harvard psychologists suggests that your dog's dreams may include you - their human.
The human-dog bond
DrDeirdre Barrett, a clinical and evolutionary psychologist at Harvard Medical School, embarked on extensive research into dogs' sleep behaviour, leading her to the conclusion that they likely dream in a manner similar to humans.
Just like us, dogs dream about their daily experiences, which can often appear creative and somewhat surreal compared to reality, Barret told thePeople magazine.
It's theorised that dogs don't dream in a logical fashion; rather, they conjure visual experiences related to what captivates them and what they have emotional connections to.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
The alignment of sleep patterns between humans and dogs provides further evidence of their dream-filled slumbers. Both species traverse distinct sleep stages, including deep sleep and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. It is during the REM sleep phases that dreams unfold for dogs, just as they do for their human counterparts.
In both human and canine brains, there exists a mechanism that typically inhibits physical movement during sleep to prevent individuals from acting out their dreams. However, there are occasions when this mechanism falters, leading to dream-related movements.
For dogs, if this brain mechanism weakens, you might have the delightful opportunity to witness their dream sequences. You may see them enthusiastically chasing that stick you threw for them the previous day or sprinting through fields. Most importantly, while they sleep, they dream of you—your visage and your scent—providing them with immense comfort.
WATCH WION LIVE HERE: