Have you ever seen your pup’s tail wag while they’re asleep? Learn the reason behind sleep-wagging and how to decode dog tail language. 

Is it normal for dogs to wag their tails in their sleep? 

Yes, it’s perfectly normal for dogs to unknowingly wag their tails while they’re asleep. Sleep-wagging is just another way for dogs to show their emotions, even when they aren’t awake. 

Similar to humans, dogs can feel emotions while they’re asleep. Have you ever heard someone talk in their sleep? Odds are they are reacting to a dream or nightmare of some sort. We feel emotions in these dreams and it can often cause us to react physically even in a sleep state. 

It’s the same with dogs. We have enough scientific evidence to prove that dogs have dreams just like us. That’s why your pup might bark or even wag their tail why they’re asleep. 

What causes a sleeping dog to wag its tail?

So why do dogs wag their tails in their sleep? Dogs dream mostly during the REM (rapid eye movement) stage of sleep. This is the deepest state of sleep so it’s easy for your dog to move their body or make sounds without knowing they're doing it. 

Although your dog may be moving during REM sleep, rest assured they are sleeping soundly. REM is when dogs (and humans) are at the most relaxed stage of their sleep cycle. Tail-wagging may be an emotional reaction to a dream they are having while they snooze. 

Decoding Dog Tail Language

Since humans and dogs don’t speak the same language, we have to learn to understand each other in different ways. Dogs can learn to read our body language and humans should do the same for them. 

Most pet parents know when a dog tilts their head they are probably confused or curious. Perky, pointed ears are a signal that your dog is listening to something intently. Of course, a wagging tail is the happiest body language of all. But dogs can show us more than just excitement with a wag of their tails. 

Dog tail language is how your pup expresses itself with the wag of its tail. When your pup’s tail is wagging during sleep, they could be feeling positive or negative emotions. 

Peace

Tail-wagging doesn’t always mean your dog is excited. They could simply feel safe and at home, even while they’re asleep. 

Fear

One surprising study of dog tail language shows that pups can wag their tail when they’re scared. This commonly shows with whining and barking during sleep to ward off the bad feelings. 

Confidence

A strong, wagging tail is a sign of confidence among dogs. You may have noticed that scared pups tend to tuck their tails between their legs in fear. Dogs may wag their tails wildly to show they aren’t afraid. 

Cold

Dog tail language also shows us that tail-wagging can mean your pup is feeling cold. This is often accompanied by shivering and whining noises during REM. Simply wrap a blanket around your dog to warm them up without stirring them from sleep. 

Other Ways to Decipher Dog Body Language

Dog tail language isn’t the only way to understand how your pup is feeling. Dogs also communicate with their posture, facial expressions, and eyes. 

Posture

When dogs hunch their heads over their chests, they are signaling submission and that they mean no harm. Dogs expose their bellies as a sign of trust and submission, as well. The infamous “downward dog” pose, on the other hand, means the pup is ready to play and engage. 

Facial Expressions

You may recognize that some dogs “smile” or show their teeth in a happy manner. This is known as a “submissive grin” and is a sure sign that your dog is happy and relaxed. Dog yawns, on the other hand, can mean your pup is either bored, scared, anxious, or maybe just sleepy. 

Eyes

We aren’t just talking about those guilt-inducing puppy dog eyes. Dogs exhibit heavy “soft eyes” when they are feeling safe and relaxed. “Hard eyes” are when your pup’s pupils are wide and alert. This look typically occurs in times of stress and anxiety.