dog howl and was sleeping

Question
I have a dog and he is 3 years old, he's a beagle mix with chow chow and this early morning he started howling, I freaked out and turned on the light to see what's going on and i couldn't really tell. Do you think that it's just because he's just dreaming or is something bothering him?

Answer
Sounds like your dog was having a R.E.M. (Rapid Eye Movement)moment! A stage of sleep in which dreams occur.  Probably nothing to be concerned about just a little dream.  I've had dogs that run, bark, growl and chew when they are dreaming.  So relax and if dog gets too rowdy in his sleep just wake him up.  Beagles are hounds and they usually howl instead of bark.