It’s bedtime and your dog curls up in a tight ball on their bed. Or maybe they sprawl out belly-up on your bed. What makes them choose these strange positions for snoozing? Vetstreet dove into the dog mind when it comes to bedtime and found that a dog’s chosen sleeping position says a lot about their comfort levels, and not just by how fluffy their bed is.
The first reason for curling up is a very logical one – your
dog is trying to stay cozy! From their wild ancestors, dogs have a tendency to
curl up into a ball in order to stay warm. Wild dogs also tend to burrow into
the ground first, creating a nest to further protect them from the cold. This
is why you often see your dog circling and digging at the floor, couch or bed
before they settle in for a nap.
Dogs in the wild also curl up to protect the weakest middle
part of their bodies from any potential predators, offering them a position in
which they can feel secure. Being balled-up head to toe allows your dog to feel
as safe as they can be.
Does this mean that a curled-up dog feels insecure in their
surroundings? Not necessarily. Although a dog who is nervous or in unfamiliar
territory will often follow their instincts to curl up, a family pet who always
slumbers in this position may just have a stronger connection to their wild cousins.
Dogs who sleep belly-up,
on the other hand, are expressing a deep sense of security. Not only are these
dogs often relaxed and easy-going breeds that may be more distanced from their
wild ancestors, but they are frequently well-socialized and confident in their
surroundings.
It’s safe to say that if your pooch is passed out with legs
in the air, they have complete trust in you. A sprawled out dog may also be
trying to cool down, as the circled position keeps in body heat.
In any position, a slumbering pup is a great companion when
nighttime comes around. That is, unless they snore…
