What does it mean to dream of a dog?

Summary of the definition

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Dogs are known as man's best friend. This faithful companion is there to protect and care for you, but also needs a lot of attention.

Dogs also have different symbolic meanings in different traditions and customs.

If a dog appears in your dreams tonight, it must mean something to you. Let's take a look at the meaning and symbolism of a dog in dreams.

What does the dog symbolize in dreams?

Big or small, shaggy or hairy, young or old, dogs have always been man's best friend. This instinctive, loyal and affectionate ball of fur is man's guardian and guide. A dog shows us the way when necessary, protects us from danger and shows us boundless generosity. That's why this faithful animal appears in our dreams, and can have different meanings and interpretations.

A dog in dreams can symbolize your sense of smell, primitive instincts and needs. As this animal also symbolizes a benevolent guide in dreams, it refers to your intuitions that accompany you in every moment of your life, guiding you and helping you make the right choices.

5 dog dream meanings

As you can see, the dog is a strong symbol in the dreamer's subconscious, but it has many facets: aggressive, docile, obedient, each with its own meaning. So, let's discover the meaning of the most common dog dreams?

Dreaming of a dog attacking you

Seeing an aggressive dog in your dreams, barking or even trying to attack you, refers to your primal instincts. This interpretation makes perfect sense, especially if you're being chased by a pack of rabid dogs. Your subconscious is urging you to listen more closely to your intuitions and basic needs.

Dreaming of a dog biting you

One or more dogs attacking you and eventually biting you in your dreams refers to your repressed instincts. There are probably some deep-seated emotions and desires that you find hard to reveal. Remember to let go of your emotions and always trust your intuition - it won't betray you.

Another meaning of this dream is that someone close to you wants to harm you. Being bitten by a dog in your dreams shows that, in real life, you feel in danger.

Dreaming of adopting a dog

If in your dreams tonight, you're given a dog as a gift or you adopt it and joy overwhelms you. Good news, this dream has an excellent meaning. It means that you trust yourself more and listen more to your instincts, which indicates that you're on the right track.

Adopting a dog in your dreams also means that you'll be looking after this ball of fluff on a daily basis, which in life means developing your instincts and self-confidence.

Dreaming of a dead dog

Dreaming about a dead dog can be shocking, but it's not always a bad omen. It means that new changes are about to take place in your life, whether positive or negative.

This dream can also indicate that you're feeling great sorrow linked to a major disappointment, a love breakup, a betrayal or a loss in your life.

Dreaming of petting a dog

In your dreams, stroking your dog, sharing affection with him or simply enjoying a tender moment with your faithful companion, once again refers to your instincts. This means you're in harmony with your instincts, and are gradually learning to listen more to yourself. This feeling is heightened when you stroke a dog you know or that belonged to you as a child.

Psychoanalytic interpretations of dog dreams

The great names of psychoanalysis, such as Freud, Jung and Nostradamus, all agree on one thing: the dog is the symbol of your instincts in dreams. That said, their interpretations of this type of dream are not similar, so let's take a look at them in the following:

Freud's interpretation of the dog dream

A dog is first and foremost a domesticated animal, but in some cases it can be aggressive or non-tame.

According to Sigmund Freud, dog dreams refer to the dreamer's subconscious, which is somehow domesticated just like the animal. But let's not forget that an animal can roar at any moment, attack, bite and even kill. This part refers directly to our deepest impulses.

Freudian thought suggests that dreaming of dogs is a kind of face-off between the dreamer and his subconscious.

In dreams, a dog can also symbolize protection, especially when it makes the dreamer feel pleasant and tender.

Jung's interpretation of the dog dream

For Jung, dogs in dreams symbolize our relationship with our instincts, as well as our sensitivity and flair.

From this point of view, when the dog in question appears threatening or scares you, it refers to your instincts, which you find difficult to accept. There are two possible outcomes:

• If the dog is threatening and bites you, it refers to your repressed instincts that you find hard to reveal;
• If the dog is docile and lets you pet him, this reflects the symbiosis, even harmony, you have with your instincts.

Dog dream interpretation according to Nostradamus

According to Nostradamus, a stray dog heralds an accumulation of problems for the dreamer.

If the dog in the dream appears all in white, it symbolizes the degradation of the dreamer's life.

If the dog is green, it heralds success, happiness and good fortune for the dreamer.

If the dog attacks you, it's a warning from the subconscious that the dreamer is in great danger.