As pet parents, we’re always trying to look for indications that our furry family members love us. From tail wags to loving looks, we have to look at their body language for their communication with us. One Golden Retriever is so happy, he even shows it when he sleeps.
In the clip from @maui_thegoldenpup, we see this pleased pup named Maui showing their contentment as they drift off into dreamland.
@maui_thegoldenpupSo happy to know he is happy 🥹#goldenretriever #happydog #dogoftiktok
Maui is the cutest! I’ve never seen a dog who wags their tail while sleeping, and it’s so adorable.
Related: Dog Pretends to Sleep to Avoid Going Outside and Everyone Gets It
We all know that dogs tell us a lot with their tails. A wagging tail can show us their excitement, happiness, or even sometimes, aggression. But what about when dogs wag their tails in their sleep like Maui here?
A closer look at wagging tails during sleep
While dogs’ sleeping behaviors are often a mystery to decode, there may be some interesting explanations for why they wag their tails while catching some z’s.
For instance, maybe your pooch is happy, nervous, or just having pleasant dreams.
According to research, dogs often wag their tail when they enter a REM sleep cycle. This is the cycle in their sleep when they’re getting the deepest amount of rest. While they might not know that it’s happening, they’re generally in a state of relaxation at this point.
During REM, this is the only time your dog enters a dream state and gets their best sleep. Your dog can start wagging their tail for different reasons, including because they’re sleeping soundly.
When it comes to doggy dreams, some indicators in their body language that show us they’re having a particularly good dream include:
- A wagging tail
- Little barks and other vocalizations
- Twitching their body
- Running in their sleep
The next time you ask yourself why your dog is wagging their tail in their sleep, maybe your pup is simply just happy and content. So, cheers to you and your pleased pooch!
Always monitor their sleep and pay attention to their behaviors while getting some rest. If anything seems particularly out of the ordinary don’t be afraid to talk to your vet and see what they say. Happy dreaming!
