What Happens If a Dog Breathes Hard When Sleeping?

Dogs often dream and it is perfectly normal. When dreaming they sometimes breathe rapidly, make small movements, and twitch their limbs. When a dog breathes hard while sleeping, it is similar to a human and just means they are in REM sleep.

However, if a dog's breathing continues to be rapid even while resting and not exercising, this can be a sign of a medical problem and a vet should be consulted.