WHAT DO MY DOG’S SLEEPING POSITIONS MEAN?
Some of the sleep positions our dogs fall into will make you exclaim, “That can’t be comfy!”
It’s natural for dog owners to wonder whether their canine companions share their feelings for them. If you want some insight into your pet’s life, try to take note of the way they’re sleeping, as the vast variety of postures our dogs take is fantastic little tidbits into how they’re feeling physically and mentally.
If you want to learn more about the mysterious canine world, we’ve compiled a list of some common sleeping postures for dogs and their possible meanings.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMMON SLEEPING POSITIONS FOR DOGS?
Most dog owners share the common pleasure of gazing lovingly at their canine companions as they snooze; next time you do, see how many of the following sleeping postures you can identify.
SIDE SLEEPER
The majority of canines, like the vast majority of people, like to sleep on their side, preferably with their legs spread out on the floor. Your big dog will take up a lot of space like this while they sleep, and they may start to look like a rug you keep on the floor.
When dogs sleep on their side, it’s a sign that they feel safe and secure in their environment and that they’ve reached their ideal body temperature. Dogs who sleep this way typically have laid-back dispositions.
You may tell they are dreaming if you see them in this position with their paws moving in a frantic rushing motion. This is the most typical sleeping position for puppies and older dogs, and it’s also the one in which dogs are most likely to dream.
Rather than using this spot for a full eight hours of sleep every night, your dog will generally reserve it for daytime naps.
SPHINX
This is also known as the lion’s attitude because it resembles lion statues, which are often found in front of grand, ornate structures. Depending on how they fell asleep, your dog’s rear legs will be tucked under or stretched out to one side, and their head will be resting on top of their paws.
Your dog is not in a deep sleep state; instead, it is probably taking a short nap. You should be aware that they could startle at the smallest noise, including your passing. Despite their current state of relaxation, they would gladly take part in any upcoming games.
This is a “transitional stance” because it facilitates a smooth change in your dog’s position. For instance, this is a common starting point for teaching your dog to lie down and stay, which is followed by a recall in which they quickly stand up and run to you.
Dogs who aren’t completely at ease in their environments might strike this position so that they can respond quickly to any perceived threat. However, it will most likely be used so that your dog may promptly stand up and resume playing.
SUPERMAN
The superman stance is a dog’s resting posture, resembling that of the sphinx, in which the animal lies on its tummy with its legs spread wide. They’ll be standing with their back legs spread out and their front legs stretched out in front of them.
Your young puppy or even just your typical high-energy pet may spend a lot of time in the “superman” position. Don’t be tricked into thinking these dogs are sound asleep though!
Despite the fact they’re drowsy, this stance permits them to spring up from the floor to engage in fun at any point, they’re just doing this for a recharge.
While it’s more common to see toy and miniature breeds in this position, there’s anatomical reason why larger dogs can find it challenging. A dog could choose to lie in this posture for reasons other than play, such as when it’s hot outside and the dog needs to cool off by rubbing its stomach against some cold tiles.
DOUGHNUT/BAGEL
You’ve probably caught sight of your dog in this endearing crouch before; when they curl up like that, they resemble a furry tiny sphere. In this snoozing pose, even a Great Dane can fool you into thinking it’s a toy Chihuahua. Maybe not quite that little, though…
All four legs are tucked neatly under the torso in this endearing pose, and sometimes the animal may twist so far that its nose touches its hind limbs. Canines in the wild would curl up like this to keep their critical organs warm and secure from any predators.
If our dogs are feeling anxious, they may assume this defensive posture that has been passed down through the generations. As a result, this is a frequent sleeping position for dogs, especially new puppies, who are still getting used to their new environment. When the weather outside is chilly, your dog may prefer to snuggle up like this to stay warm.
Even if your dog always sleeps this manner, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re chilly or anxious; they may just find it extremely comfortable.
CUDDLE BUDDY
Have you ever been so exhausted that you couldn’t stand to move your beautiful pooch from sleeping on top of you, despite the fact that you were in excruciating pain? A common sleeping position for dogs is to cuddle up next to (or even on top of) their human or canine bed partner.
Consider it a compliment; your dog just wants to be near you and show you how much they care; dogs find comfort in knowing that their caretaker is close by when they sleep.
It’ll warm your heart and increase the bond you have with your pup when you have a snuggle, you’ll just have to ignore the discomfort of having their legs, face or even tail up near your face as they shuffle around to get comfy. When a dog is sound asleep, no one wants to wake it up.
HIDE AND SEEK
Is your dog the type to only get some quality shut-eye if they can find something soft to sleep on? In fact, if your pocket-sicked dog likes to sleep with you on the couch, they may occasionally disappear under the covers.
Your dog probably feels safest and most at ease sleeping under a table, bed, or other heavy object. This is another instinct passed down from their time spent in the wild avoiding capture by predators.
The analogy that comes to mind is the fact that many people, regardless of how hot it is, will not go to sleep without their quilt on top of them.
Having a warm, snuggly blanket on top of you is just a nice feeling of comfort, not an indication that your dog is feeling afraid or unsafe in their environment.
However, if you have a Jack Russell Terrier or a Dachshund, you may be more aware of this trait than with other breeds. Historically, these breeds were developed as ratters, with the purpose of burrowing into small spaces to flush out any vermin that might be hiding there.
Dogs who prefer to sleep in a shady spot under the covers are likely to be very devoted to their owners. They’ll feel like they’re in the utmost luxury as they snuggle up together and enjoy the ultra-mutt level of comfort.
BELLY UP
Despite its endearing appearance, this one may make you feel uneasy. On the other hand, when your dog is sleeping on its back with its paws in the air, it is in a state of extreme ease and relaxation.
When your dog sleeps like this, you may rest assured that they have full faith in you and the surrounding area.
By baring their bellies in public, they are putting themselves at risk since they are letting everyone view their internal organs. Instead of striking a defensive doughnut shape, they simply relax and let their guard down.
Your dog may adopt this odd position when the temperature outside is high. This is used to cool down, much like the doughnut stance is used to keep warm.
Since your dog cools itself by perspiring through its nose and paw pads and generates most of its body heat from its stomach, positioning it such that its belly and paws face the wind can help it avoid overheating.
Don’t be surprised if your senior dog no longer like this sleeping position. It’s just a natural posture for a young dog, and it doesn’t indicate a lack of trust. Because of age-related joint issues, this is not a pleasant sleeping position for older dogs.
DO MY DOG’S SLEEPING BEHAVIOURS TELL ME ANYTHING?
Your dog may quiver, toss, turn, cry, make paddling motions with their legs, and do other strange things while they sleep. Any or all of these could indicate that your dog is dreaming.
If you hear any of these things while your dog is sleeping, you can rest assured that he or she is having a pleasant dream about playing in the park, wrestling with a friend, or even devouring a tasty doggy dinner.
Dog snoring is another sleep behaviour that can be exceedingly bothersome if he or she shares your bed.
In the same ways that people snore, dogs snore as well. Asthma, being overweight, allergies, or just plain genetics. Snoring can be caused by sleeping in certain positions, so if you hear your dog snoring, and you see that it is lying on its back with its belly up, that may be the cause. When people sleep on their bellies, their tongues tend to fall back into their throats, blocking airflow and causing snoring.
Some dog breeds, especially brachycephalic (flat-faced) ones like the French Bulldog, Pug, or Bulldog, are more likely to snore than others. This is because of the shape of their faces.
While the squished, wrinkled faces of flat-faced breeds can’t help but be cute, they can make it difficult for them to breathe. These breeds are predisposed to breathing difficulties due to their abnormally narrow nostrils and elongated soft palates, both of which can cause airway obstruction.
That you’re reading this right now is probably one of the contributing factors to your snoring. Snoring isn’t usually cause for alarm unless it’s begun suddenly, worsened, or you suspect a serious underlying cause.
SHOULD I LET MY DOG SLEEP IN MY BED?
As far as I can tell, there is no one correct solution to this. Some individuals strongly claim you should never let your dog sleep in your bed and some people are all for it. The answer to this question depends entirely on your own subjective assessment of whether or not the benefits exceed the drawbacks.
If you want to strengthen your bond with your dog and share some quality cuddle time, consider letting it lie in your bed. We all love our dogs unconditionally, and everyone’s guilty of seeking them out for a snuggle, but having your dog on your bed with you is just taking this to the next level.
Having a snuggle with your dog is fantastic, it just depends on your tolerance for snoring, writhing and maybe even their hind end stuck in your face when you’re trying to sleep. Some canines seem to squirm about a lot.
You should know that your dog may not even want to share your bed with you, preferring instead to snooze on it while you’re not around. Don’t take it personally; they could simply be overheated, or it could be that your constant wriggling is making them uncomfortable.
HOW LONG SHOULD MY DOG SLEEP FOR?
Once again, there is no one correct response to this. A full 12-14 hours of sleep each day is recommended for most dogs, however this varies from dog to dog. Conversely, puppies can sleep for up to 20 hours every day. Even if it might not look that way…
Older dogs need more sleep than adult dogs do because they tyre more quickly and suffer more from joint pain.
Due to the extra strain of carrying around their extra mass, larger dogs may require longer rest breaks throughout the day.
Because of how much sleep your dog gets, it’s likely that it won’t constantly sleep in the same same posture. It’s likely that they’ll fill several of the posts here in one fell swoop.
RECAP
There are a wide variety of sleep positions that dogs can assume, some of which can make your dog appear ridiculously adorable while others will make him look completely bonkers.
Check to see if any of these positions appear the next time they are sleeping to get a sense of how they are feeling.