Ever noticed that your dog loves to sleep in the strangest, most uncomfortable and funny looking positions? Since dogs cannot communicate with us verbally, their sleep position can tell you quite a bit about their mood and personality.
Like humans, dogs’ sleeping positions vary from the practical and comfortable to the strange and hilarious. Whether they’re lying spatchcocked in the sun or curled up in a tight little ball, understanding your dog’s chosen sleeping position can provide you with some helpful insight into their overall well-being.
Dogs who sleep on their side are comfortable with their surroundings since they are leaving their vital systems exposed and are unable to get up quickly like they can when sleeping in other positions.
This position could also mean that your dog is in a deep slumber and should not be disturbed, as they are likely to reach the REM stage of sleep which is restorative.
The number one reason dogs face their bums towards their owners when they’re sleeping is that they love and trust you. This sleeping position also makes your pup feel safe because he knows you’ve got his back (literally). Moreover, some dogs will do this because they are trying to mark you with their scent.
In the ” curl up” position, the dog rolls up. It’s a safe pose because it covers all internal organs and strategic points like paws or tail. Most likely, your dog is sleeping in the curled up, nose-to-tail snowball position when the temperatures start dipping. Indeed, this sleeping position is the best way to conserve heat.
Dogs lying down with their arms spread out in front of them and their legs kicked out flat behind their butts prefer to sleep in the “Superman” position. Typically, energetic dogs and puppies will take power naps like this so they’re ready to spring into action as soon as they’ve recharged. And on a hot day, lying belly down on a cool surface like tile or hardwood can help them cool off.
Dogs who sleep on their backs with their legs up in the air don’t have a care in the world. Sleeping this way helps your furry friends cool off in the summer or after extensive exercise, since they are exposing their belly where the fur is thinner as well as the sweat glands on their paws.
This position is a sign of comfort as all the muscles are relaxed. You'll likely see your dog sleep in this position mostly when he's indoors in his safe haven and around people he trusts.
A FREE phone consultation is available for all dogs.
We do appointments by scheduling only as we are not open to the public. No dog is permitted on our property without undergoing a complete behavior assessment and temperament test.
We can’t say enough about the amazing training our puppy, Sadie, got with Dillon and his staff at Full Potential K9. Sadie came to us as a rambunctious and rebellious puppy who definitely did not know structure or rules. After 6 weeks in training, she came back to us a more organized, rule-abiding puppy who was also happier as she had structure and better understood her boundaries. Dillon taught Sadie commands, such as sit, heal, and to go to her place, crate trained her, got her acclimated to walking on a leash, and also helped us navigate the sometimes treacherous process of potty training. Additionally, he helped to guide us on how to have a respectful puppy with two wild toddlers. He helped ensure we understood what Sadie was taught through our own training sessions with him so we could make sure to continue to reinforce her learning at home. Everyone who meets Sadie comments about how she’s well behaved, obedient, and what a gem she is to walk on a leash. Every step of the way through training and since returning home, Dillon checks up on our girl and is invested in her success (and happiness) in our family. Thank you Dillon and Full Potential K9 for shaping our sweet Sadie into our awesome puppy and helping her achieve her full potential. With gratitude, The Williams Family
