Sleep paralysis

Has anyone ever experienced hypnagogic hallucinations and what do you do to prevent them? I think this happened to me for the first time last night.

I was mid vivid dream, talking to my mom about something. I heard a dog bark in my ear that made me jump straight up out of a sleep (I do not have a dog). I looked to the right of my bed and saw a medium sized black and yellow dog clear as day. Watched it walk out of the room and everything. I was so convinced that a dog was in my room that the only thing bringing me back to reality was the fact that my cat was still sitting on my legs. He would have been gone if a dog got inside of my apartment LOL.

Every once in a while I do have sleep paralysis, but it’s obvious to me that I’m dreaming and I’m aware it’s not real. I’ve also never woken up and still was able to see something.

Thanks for any advice in advance!