When sleeping dogs…sleep
‘Dogs who are sleeping more or less than normal or in new positions or locations may be suffering from an illness or injury.’
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‘Dogs who are sleeping more or less than normal or in new positions or locations may be suffering from an illness or injury.’
LOVING dogs: Grogu the poodle and Lexi the schnauzer preparing for sleep.
Photographs by Kathy Moran for DAILY TRIBUNE
Not feeling the best this past week got me to watching how my constant companion Lexie, the mini schnauzer, sleeps. Blame it on boredom or perhaps the need for someone to show some care for us when we are ill.
This is an observational article; let me know what positions your dogs take when sleeping. Here is a list of some of the positions I observed through one night.
Like me, you may have noticed your dog sleeping in a position you’re not familiar with. Does it mean anything? From sleeping on their side to sleeping on their back with their paws in the air, we can learn a lot about our furry friends through their sleeping positions and habits. I checked out Casper.com to help me interpret some of the positions. For others, I asked my regular vet, Doc Gabby, to give some advice.
I was told that dog sleeping positions are like little clues that can give insight into how they’re feeling. Here goes:
1. The belly up (a favorite)
Arguably one of the cutest dog sleeping positions, the belly-up position is just as it sounds. This position is when your dog lies on their back with their belly up and paws in the air. As uncomfortable as this position may look, this is a sign of true comfort and relaxation in dogs.
Meaning: Dogs who sleep on their back with their tummy and paws in the air do so for a few reasons. One of them is to keep cool. Jen Jones says, “Dogs sweat through their paws and their belly is a source of heat. When they sleep on their back with their belly in the air and paws up, they are trying to keep cool.”
Because this is such a vulnerable position to be in, when dogs sleep on their back with their paws in the air, it also means that they fully trust you and their environment. Doc Gabby said that “because they are exposing their belly and their vital organs to the world, you have to know that they feel really secure to fall asleep in this position.”
As dogs age, you’ll notice that they may no longer sleep on their back as much.
2. Back to-back
Similar to the cuddler sleeping position, when a dog likes to sleep back-to-back, it means they like to cuddle up and get as close as possible by placing their back next to either you or another dog. In the simplest form, this position is a sign of love and comfort.
Meaning: Sleeping back-to-back indicates a sense of intimacy. When a dog sleeps in this position, they are showing you affection and trust. According to Jen Jones, “Dogs may choose to sleep this way with one person in the home they feel safest with.” This can include additional family members or other dogs and cats.
3. The side sleeper
Just like humans, dogs love to sleep on their side. Lying on their side with their legs extended is one of the most common sleeping positions for dogs. This sleeping position is especially prominent in puppies as well as older dogs who may be suffering from stiff joints.
Meaning: When your dog sleeps on their side, it means they feel relaxed and safe in their environment. I have been told that dogs will sleep in this position when they are feeling comfortable with their surroundings.
For this position, which I have only observed once, it seemed to me that it was also where I noticed my doggy ‘sleep running’ and twitching during her dreams, as her paws were loose and free to move.
4. The lion’s pose
The lion’s pose sleeping position (also called ‘the sphinx’) is when your dog sleeps with their head on top of their paws — similar to statues of lions you might see outside of large buildings. Your dog can also fall asleep in this position with their front paws tucked in and their back legs at one side.
Meaning: When dogs sleep in this position, it means they are resting, but not sleeping deeply. “Dogs will often start out in this position if they feel like they will need to jump up quickly,” said Doc Gabby.
5. The superman
The superman position is when your dog lies sprawled out on the ground with their belly pressed to the floor, their back legs behind them, and their front legs stretched forward. Sometimes called a “sploot,” this is a common position among puppies and very playful dogs.
Meaning: When your dog sleeps on their stomach in the superman position, it means that they’re tired but ready to play if the opportunity arises. Jen Jones says that “this position allows for dogs to snooze quickly, but be ready to hop up at a moment’s notice to play.” This is a common sleeping position for high-energy dogs during the day.
6. The donut
The donut position is when your dog sleeps curled up in a ball with all of their limbs tucked close to their body. Sometimes their nose will touch their hind legs in a “shrimp” curl, and they may even drape their tail over their body.
Meaning: This position keeps all of the dog’s vital organs tucked and hidden. When a dog sleeps in this position, it means that they seek to protect themselves while sleeping or that they’re still getting used to their environment. This is especially common in stray or new dogs.
This is also a favorite position for dogs when they are cold. By curling up in a ball, they are attempting to preserve their body heat.
7. The cuddler (Not common)
One of the most adorable dog sleeping positions is ‘the cuddler’ position. This is when your dog prefers to sleep on top of you or cuddled up with another dog. This is a great position for those who love to let their dog sleep in bed with them.
Meaning: Peter Laskay, a pet expert and pet care blogger at Petworshiper, says that this position is a clear sign of bonding and “that the dog wants to get close to you or other dogs.”
I have been told by several vets that sleep-cuddling is a leftover behavior from when a dog was a puppy and snuggled up with their littermates to keep warm. When they’re older, cuddling turns into a habit of comfort.
8. The burrower
Have you noticed that your dog seeks out pillows, clothes, or blankets to sleep under? If so, your pooch likes to sleep in the burrower position.
Meaning: When dogs sleep in the burrower position, they are searching for comfort and security. Burrowers may also be seeking to calm themselves down — studies have shown that dog shirts meant to swaddle them in gentle pressure help ease nervous behaviors for dogs with anxiety disorders.
How to help your pup get the best sleep
It’s important to always keep an eye on your dog’s sleeping habits. The position they sleep in or the amount of sleep they get each day can be little clues into how they are feeling — both mentally and physically.
Dr. Jennifer Coates of Casper.com says that “dogs who are sleeping more or less than normal or in new positions or locations may be suffering from an illness or injury.” It’s always a good idea to talk to your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your dog’s sleep habits.
And, over the years, I have learned from experience that in order to help my dog get the best sleep possible, I make sure her sleeping environment is comfortable. You can do this by buying a dog bed they love, filling their sleep area with their favorite toys, and keeping water nearby.
Just sleep.
