The human brain attempts to make sense of our daily lives via the medium of dreaming. Our dreams tend to be a confusing combination of the real world and a fantasy land most of us know as 'dreamland'. We reach this place during the second stage of our sleep patterns. The first is known as 'slow wave sleep' (SWS) and the second is known as 'rapid eye movement' (REM). It is during the latter that we dream and if this period is interrupted or prevented, it can leave us agitated, anxious and irritable when we are awake.

As popular pets, many are interested to know if dogs share our ability to dream. Known for twitching, flinching and barking during sleep, most suggest that they do indeed dream, but their limited imaginations probably also place a limit on their dream topic.

The sleep stage at which the brain is most active and when both our and a dog's muscles are prepared for action, is the REM stage. An electroencephalogram is used to measure this brain activity, suggesting that it is during this time that dreaming occurs. It is also at this point that the dog is likely to be twitching, barking and whimpering. Conversely, when the dog is in the first stage of sleep (SWS), breathing is heavy and heart rate is slow.

This evidence suggests that dogs do indeed dream. In fact, all mammals are said to 'dream', though there are few theories about the reason why they do. It may even be for the same reason we do, but it is likely to be something we will never know for certain.

Interestingly, studies suggest that dogs don't suffer from nightmares. In fact, dogs that have been victims of neglect and abuse purportedly don't experience REM and therefore don't dream at all or dream very rarely. This is based on the theory that people who have been seriously abused or have faced severe trauma have a much higher chance of suffering from nightmares.

According to leading expert Dr. Ernest Hartmann, dreams are shaped by the emotions of the dreamer, so it therefore stands to reason that a dog may well dream about their family, their favourite activities or their favourite treat. Also, just like children dream far more often than adults, puppies dream far more often than adult dogs. Dreaming dogs must always be left to dream.