What Your Dog’s Sleep Habits Mean
If your pup isn’t eating, playing, or accompanying you on a walk, chances are they are sleeping. After all, our furry family members sleep an average of 12 to 14 hours a day. Since we are often with our pup when they are slumbering, we can witness their various sleeping habits and mannerisms. We may even begin to wonder about why our dogs do the things they do while they’re snoozing. Here we help you decode your pup’s sleeping habits and mannerisms.
Tunneling
Many pups love to tunnel themselves under their favorite blanket or bedding. This can leave many pet parents concerned about whether their dog is getting enough oxygen under that thick blanket. Don’t worry; if they’re uncomfortable, they’ll resurface. Tunneling under confined spaces can be the result of instinctive behavior in our furry family members, which harkens back to the days when wild dogs raised their pups in small dark dens. Whether it be for warmth or comfort, many pups enjoy that soothing space deep under the covers.
Spin/Twirl
Perhaps one of the most amusing behaviors to watch is that little spin some dogs do right before they finally settle into the perfect spot. The dizzying spin—often accompanied by scratching the bed—may seem funny to us, but it does have an origin. This behavior may be due to the fact that in earlier times dogs slept in a den or hidden area, and walking around and scratching helped move and rearrange debris to make their sleeping area feel more comfortable. It is also a way for your pup to mark their territory and make sure their area is safe before laying down to rest.
Cuddling and Bed Hogging
As many pet parents know, dogs thrive on companionship and enjoy the company and security of sleeping next to someone else, be it human or canine. Your pup may cuddle up in bed next to you and find ways to stay in close proximity and touch throughout the night. Being close to someone while they sleep helps them feel safe and cozy.
Sleep Positions
The position your dog chooses to sleep in relies mainly on their personality and how they feel in their current environment. Some pups enjoy sleeping next their favorite toy, spread out like a hawk, or curled tightly in a ball. Many dogs seem to have no problem sleeping just about anywhere in any position.
Two factors that play a part in how your dog may choose to sleep is temperature and surroundings. When the temperature is quite warm, you may find your pup sprawled out across the floor or bed in attempts to cool down. On the other hand, when the temperature is on the cooler side, your pup may fall asleep curled up tightly to maintain body heat. If your pup feels safe and comfortable enough to fall asleep with an exposed belly, it demonstrates their sense of trust in their environment and the people within it.
Noises and Movements
Sometimes when your pup is fast asleep, you may notice them twitching, moving their limbs, growling, and whimpering. This can leave you wondering what is going on in your pup’s head. Studies suggest there is evidence that dogs do, in fact, experience dreams. Like humans, when it comes to sleep patterns and brain wave activity, dogs enter a deep sleep stage where their breathing can become irregular and they have rapid eye movement (REM). It is during this time where pups experience actual dreams. While one dog may only twitch from time to time, another may be in full action mode every night, caught up in some kind of doggie fantasy.
We understand how important a good night’s sleep is for your pup. That’s why we ensure our boarding dogs spend their days enjoying supervised open play with their BFFFs (Best Furry Friends Forever), and their nights enjoying restful sleep in our comfortable, home-style crates. If your pup needs overnight boarding, contact your nearest Dogtopia location.
