Dreaming of a dog
The psychological view
The dog is one of the animals that live closest to people, so in a dream it is often read with themes of devotion, protection and trust. A friendly dog and a growling dog carry the same image with very different feelings.
Studies of dream content report that characters and animals in dreams relate to a person's own life experience (Source 1). Your own memories with dogs are the most reliable starting point for making sense of the dream dog.
Variations
An attacking dog
An attacking dog relates to a feeling of threat or a situation that needs standing up to. Did you run from the dog or face it?
A friendly dog
A friendly dog shows a need for trust and devotion. Which relationship did the approaching dog remind you of?
A lost dog
A lost dog describes a bond that has weakened or the feeling that something is missing. Think about what you were searching for.
A barking dog
Barking describes a feeling that wants attention. Notice whom or what it was calling to.
Ask yourself
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Keep reading
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Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to dream of a dog?
A dog does not tie to a single meaning. It is linked to themes of loyalty, protection and trust; your feeling in the dream sets the meaning.
What does being afraid of a dog say?
Fear describes a threat or a hard situation you met in the dream. Your real experiences with dogs also shape the reading.
What should I do if a dog dream recurs?
Write it in your journal and note the days it returns. A recurring image shows that a feeling worth attention is still going on.
Sources
- Palgrave Macmillan (2018). Researching Dreams: The Fundamentals
- Consciousness and Cognition (2003). Continuity between waking activities and dream activities