Meaning
'Wen dawg a sleep, nuh wake him' — when the dog is sleeping, don't wake it. Let sleeping dogs lie: don't stir up trouble, old quarrels, or danger that is currently at rest. Just as rousing a sleeping dog invites a bite, reopening a settled matter or provoking a calm situation only brings needless trouble down on yourself. The proverb counsels leaving well enough alone, and not disturbing a peace, a grudge, or a threat that has gone quiet.
Examples
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Di argument done, nuh bring it back; wen dawg a sleep, nuh wake him.
The argument is over, don't bring it back; let sleeping dogs lie.
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Leave dat old matter alone — wen dawg a sleep, nuh wake him.
Leave that old matter alone — don't reawaken settled trouble.
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Nuh provoke him now him calm; wen dawg a sleep, nuh wake him.
Don't provoke him now that he's calm; don't stir up resting trouble.
Origin
A plain image: a sleeping dog is harmless, but wake it and it may bite — so leave dormant trouble undisturbed.
How it’s used
Advice to leave settled quarrels and dormant dangers alone rather than stirring them back to life.