
Dec 07 , 2020
Sleeping Positions of a Dog and its Meaning
Pretty sure you’ve always wondered why your pet sleeps the way s/he does. Does everything your pet do have meaning? A lot can be revealed about a dog’s personality by observing their sleeping positions, habits and the amount of time spent snoozing. Your pet’s sleeping habits can be signs about their happiness and health if you observe closely.
Here’s a list of some of them-
Position
Crazy legs sleeping – Sleeping on the back with all limbs in the air.
Exposing the belly helps your pet cool off as the fur around that region is thinner and the paws hold the sweat glands.
It also suggests that your pet is independent and secure with her or his surroundings, leaving their most sensitive parts vulnerable and harder for them to jump on their feet quickly. Moreover, a pup doing this probably means that s/he doesn’t have a care in the world.
The side sleeper – A common sleeping position for dogs.
This typically displays strong family bonds and trust in their human pack. A dog sleeping like that has to feel safe and comfortable, as the position leaves the vital organs exposed.
Pets who sleep like this tend to be stress-free and relaxed. Some dogs may shift to a different sleeping position if they’re sleeping somewhere new or next to someone they’re not accustomed to.
The fox curl – When a dog sleeps with her/his paws underneath the body and the tail is wrapped around to the face s/he is feeling cold.
This position helps keep the heat in as much as possible. Also, a very common position taken up in the wild, as it protects all the vital organs and allows for a quick jump up.
Knocked out – A dog sleeps on its back with drooping limbs across the body, as if s/he were knocked out, as a result of overheating.
This is the best way to cool off. If both paws are wrapped across the chest, it is usually a “do not disturb” sign, after all, they need their beauty sleep too.
Superman position – Also known as the sprawled-out position. As the name suggests, a dog sleeps with her or his belly flopped down and paws stretched out on all four sides. This position allows for a dog to pop-up on their paws swiftly.
This position may suggest that the dog doesn’t want to miss a chance to be in action, even while napping. Very common for puppies who need to nap frequently.
Snuggling or Back-to-Back – Whether your pet sleeps with its back to another dog or snuggling with another dog or you, it means the same thing.
This position is often displayed when showing affection, trying to get close and trying to bond with you or another fur friend.
Habit
Once asleep, you can get an idea about the quality of sleep your pet has from her or his behaviour. Sleep is essential for healing and repairing of the body. The deepest stage of sleep-REM, as is known, is the most recuperative.
Look out for these signs to ensure your pet’s having the best sleep possible.