6 Puppy Sleeping Positions That Reveal A Lot About Your Beloved Dog

Jan 28, 2019

If you've ever watched your dog sleep, chances are you've caught them in some funny positions that left you wondering what on Earth they're dreaming about. Learning to read canine body language is a great way to understand our furry friends. We haven't discovered the technology that will allow us to converse with our dogs one-on-one, so we have to pick up on other clues to know what they're thinking.

If your dog likes to snooze on their side with their legs sprawled out, it means they feel at ease with their surroundings. It's a good feeling when your dog flops down beside you, and sleeping on the side leaves a dog entirely vulnerable. This means that they feel comfortable where they are and trust who they're with.

If your dog curls up like a fox with their head tucked over their paws, your dog is sleeping in a natural position. It's instinctive for foxes and dogs to sleep with their paws tucked under their bodies with their limbs safely guarded.

An easy-going, gentle dog is often likely to take this position when it's time to sleep.

Lots of dogs sleep on their stomachs, but some pups take it a step further and stretch out all four legs to give the illusion of flight. While your puppy may be off fighting crime and catching villains in his dreams, this pose indicates your pup is high-energy and loves to play. Having all four legs stretched out makes it easy for them to spring into action at the drop of a hat (or rustle of a treat bag).

Some dogs look like they could be circus acts when they sleep. Many pups like to lie on their back with their legs straight in the air, poised at funny angles like they're professional acrobats!

Dogs who prefer this sleep position are laid-back and trust you. In the wild, a wolf or coyote would never sleep on its back. This is an extremely vulnerable position that indicates submission. However, cozy at home in a nice, warm bed, a relaxed dog who feels at ease can put their paws up without a care in the world.

Anxious pups may sleep on their stomachs with their legs curled. In this position, the muscles aren't relaxed enough to reach the deepest stage of sleep, REM.

Stomach sleepers might be more anxious or shy, but this position isn't an immediate cause for alarm. Your dog can be perfectly happy and well-adjusted, they just might be more on the cautious side.

Dogs who flop over on their bags with their hind legs in the air tend to be high-energy. Sleeping on the back is an easy way for dogs to cool down, so if your pup is overheated or burned a lot of energy during the day, they're likely to assume this pose.

As we mentioned earlier, back sleeping indicates a great level of comfort and trust among dogs. A secure, relaxed dog is liable to sleep on his back because he feels safe in his environment. Dogs who sleep in this position are also adaptable and easy-go-lucky; you can take them just about anywhere, and they'll manage to make it feel like home.

Does your dog's sleep position match the descriptions? Let us know about your pup's slumbering habits in the comments and be sure to tell other dog owners about this article - We bet they want to learn more about their dog's sleeping position.