Back ground: I own two happy well behaved well socialised unneutered small male dogs, this is not just my opinion but everyone who meets them including the vet. Both have come from reputable breeders are well socialised and health screened both have been given a clean bill of health by the vet. They are walked at least an hour a day, fed two meals a day (dry food). Dog A is nearly 10, dog B is just over 2 dog B has been with us and dog A since he was 8 weeks old they are always together and appear very happy in each other's company. Neither bark very much even if a stranger comes in the house, if they do bark dog A would bark say 10-15 times, dog B only because dog A is barking he'll bark twice. My neighbour has a dog, if they are in the garden and my neighbours dog barks they will bark 3-4 times. Dog A never growls I've only heard dog B growl twice in the day time, once he'd found a revolting dead rabbit and dog A thought he might like to share it and on Sundays they always get the scraps from Sunday lunch and once the cat thought she might like some. The two dogs and cat frequently sleep together on the sofa.
About a year ago Dog B would occasionally growl and bark in the night it always wakes me up, (they sleep downstairs in my large kitchen kept in by a stair gate). Initially I thought he could hear something outside (we're rural) and then I wondered if he was growling at dog A because he wanted his bed they have one each or occasionally one raided the bin and I thought he was protecting a wrapper he'd stolen so I ignored it. About three weeks ago the problem worsened he now growls/snarls very loudly and barks (5-6 loud barks) in the night about 15 times, but much to my surprise I've discovered he's not awake but flat out in his bed fast to sleep. The big problem is I'm an incredibly light sleeper and an insomniac and I have not slept properly now for a three weeks so it's beginning to drive me mad! I've tried ear plugs but it doesn't help. I've spoken to other friends with dogs they think their dogs dream they wimper or occasionally bark in their sleep but nothing like this. He never does it when he's asleep in the day time.
Why on earth is he doing this?
What can I do about it?
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
What on earth is wrong with my dog?
schoolnurse · 19/04/2014 03:51
Ours only barks in his sleep (in a very muffled way) when he has spent the day barking a lot. Not sure if that helps you! But if our dog started loud barking in the night, I would be completely stopping him from barking in the daytime. Another thought is that ours sleeps in a much much heavier sleep at night than during the day. So yours is presumably barking during heavy sleep, not lighter daytime sleep. Just guessing, though. Other more experienced dog owners will be able to help more!
Fellow insomniac here. 
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