We love featuring animal experts on our site! This article was contributed by John Woods, founder of 'All Things Dogs,' about three common dog sleeping positions and what they mean. Enjoy!
Watching your dog sleep is downright adorable!
But did you know that there might be a deeper meaning behind the way your dog sleeps?
There are a number different of positions your puppy can assume for their snooze, whether they curl up into a tiny ball or seem to be dreaming of running a marathon.
In this article, we analyze three of the most common ways dogs sleep, and what they can tell you about your dog.
Has your curiosity been piqued? Read on to learn more!
Okay, we admit this is a name we came up with. But it's fitting for the position—curled up tightly, with nose and tail tucked into the body—many pups who curl up to sleep look like a dog version of this flaky pastry!
This is perhaps the most common sleeping position for dogs, and for good reason: it conserves heat, feels protective, and is extremely comfortable.
In addition, wrapping up their bodies in this way protects their internal organs, so that they're safer if they are attacked in the middle of the night.
Your domesticated pooch doesn't need to worry about freezing temperatures or nocturnal predators, however, the same instincts carry over: if your dog is a bit cold or apprehensive about their surroundings, it's likely that you'll see them modeling the croissant.
Hypoallergenic dogs, such as poodles, bichon frises, and Yorkshire terriers, shed very minimally, which means they need regular grooming, trimming, and clipping. If your hypoallergenic pup who normally sleeps stretched out is snoozing after a haircut, they might be chilly after having just lost a bunch of fur!
It's for the same reason you sometimes see them kicking at the grass after they urinate: dogs have scent glands on their paw pads, and they rub them on the ground to mark their territory.
So digging around or pawing at the ground before laying down is your dog trying to say: "This is my space!"
First of all, wild dogs and wolves didn't have the ready-made comfort of luxury dog beds. They had to create their own "beds" by trampling down the grass or snow on the ground.
Additionally, many think that turning at least 360 degrees served as a final scan of the surrounding area for predators.
Although your pup doesn't have to worry about finding a safe place to sleep in your home and no longer does this ritual out of self-preservation, their instincts remain: digging and circling their beds, and then curling up like an oversized croissant!
Belly down, paws out to the sides, the superman is another classic sleeping position.
It's common to see young dogs and especially puppies take on the superman as their sleeping position of choice, as it's the easiest position to get up from. This translates to a streamlined transition between naptime and playtime!
Sometimes if a puppy has had an especially strenuous bout of play, they will fall asleep almost while still standing up, and don't have time to get into a more comfortable position!
Like with the croissant, dogs who sleep in the superman are also protecting their vital organs by laying directly on them. Additionally, it's easy to pop up to all fours from this position, meaning that your dog might want to be ready to flee or to defend itself in the blink of an eye.
Adult dogs who sleep in the superman may be more timid or independent. It's also possible to see dogs take this position when they are placed in a new environment, such as moving to a new house or an overnight trip to visit friends or family.
Over time, as they start to realize your house is safe, you may see them start to sleep in other positions.
Another reason your dog might be sleeping in the superman is that they are bored. Many dogs will doze when there's nothing interesting going on, or in between bouts of play, and this is a common position for these kinds of disco naps.
These short snoozes are typically made of lighter sleep. Your dog's eyes may be shut, but they'll be up in a second as soon as they hear or sense something more interesting beginning to happen.
In this position, your dog will be asleep on her side, with all four legs stretched out. We call it the running man because this is the position where you will see the most dramatic twitching, flopping, and running!
The signs of this sleep stage are most evident in the running man position, because their legs are not tucked in or restrained.
Just as humans are sometimes known to talk in their sleep, dogs may also softly woof, growl, or whimper while in this deep stage of sleep.
But as you've learned, they all may give you some insight into your dog—whether they feel a little nervous in a new environment, or need you to turn the air conditioning up.
What is your dog's favorite sleeping position? Let us know in the comments section below!
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