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The positions dogs sleep in, can reveal a lot about how they’re feeling. Sleeping habits can give clues about a dog’s health and happiness that you can interpret if you know what to look for. Here are a few facts about your dog’s sleeping positions and what they might mean.
Sleeping On His Side
A dog that is sleeping on his side feels safe and comfortable, as it leaves the vital organs exposed. Dogs that favor this position tend to be pretty easy-going and relaxed, though they may switch to a different position if they are sleeping somewhere new or around someone they aren’t familiar with. This position also leaves their limbs free to move during sleep, so you may see more twitching and leg kicks from a dog lying on his side.
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All Curled Up
A very common position dogs take when sleeping is to be all curled up. It’s a common position for animals to take in the wild, too, as it protects the vital organs, helps conserve warmth, and makes it easy to get up quickly. This position restricts movement during sleep, so you may see less twitching from a dog that snoozes in a ball. You might think that a dog that sleeps in this position would be uncomfortable in his surroundings, and while that may be the case, it’s not necessarily true. It’s a common position in fall and winter months when the weather is cool, or it may just simply feel better for a particular dog to sleep in that position.
Sprawled Out On The Tummy
This is sometimes called the “SuperMan Position.” It allows for a dog to pop up and be on his feet right away. You often see this position with puppies who need to nap frequently, but also want to be ready to jump up and play at a moment’s notice. Dogs that sleep in this position don’t want to miss a chance to be in the action, even while they’re napping. It’s the position of choice for high-energy pups or pups who get sleepy during play and just want to plop down where they’re standing.
On The Back, Paws Up In The Air
In the same way curling in a ball conserves heat, sleeping with an exposed belly helps a dog cool off. Since the fur is thinner around the belly and the paws hold the sweat glands, exposing these areas is a great way to beat the heat. It’s also a position that indicates a dog is very comfortable, leaving his most sensitive areas vulnerable and making it hard to get on his feet quickly. A JRT that’s sleeping in this position most likely doesn’t have a care in the world. It’s common in summer months.
Back-To-Back, Snuggled Up Or Spooning
You may catch your dog sleeping back-to-back with your other pets or snuggling up to you, and it means the same thing. Your dog is bonding and showing that he wants to get close to you. A dog sleeping this way feels very loving and affectionate, and he’s completely comfortable with whoever he’s napping with. Try showing your love, too, by taking a snooze with your JRT.
