Dog Sleeping Positions: What They Reveal About Your Pup

If you ever pay attention to how your dog sleeps, you may be surprised by how many poses they put their body in. Lying on their backs or bellies, cuddling with others, or curling up: a pooch knows which position suits them every time they doze off. But did you know that each dog sleeping position has a meaning? 

Let’s break down the types of dog sleeping positions and what they can tell you about your furry companion.

What Do Different Dog Sleeping Positions Mean?

If you know how to decode the meaning of dog sleeping positions and their sleeping habits, you can gain valuable insight into their emotional state and mental well-being. How your furry friend chooses to relax can indicate if they’re experiencing any physical discomfort so you can help them feel better.

The body language of a dog sleeping position can help you answer these questions:

• How much do they trust you and their environment?
• How affectionate are they with you and other pets?
• Are they falling asleep or deep sleeping?
• How cold or warm are they?
• Do they need to calm down because of stress?
• Do they have any health-related issues?

Donut Position

Also known as the bagel pose, this is one of the most common positions for dogs to rest in. They look cute and cozy with their bodies in a tight ball, their heads touching their rear legs, and their tails tucked in. What are the practical implications behind the pose?

Canines choose to form a tight circle with their bodies to stay warm. It’s also common for dogs to sleep in this way in new environments when they don’t feel relaxed enough. This position suggests that by curling up, they protect their limbs and belly in unknown surroundings.

Side Sleeper

Who doesn’t like napping rolled to one side? Like humans, dogs enjoy lying on their side with their paws extended and relaxed. This position is one of the most popular for dogs to sleep in, though our domestic dogs rarely sleep in this position in a new environment.

Sleeping on their side exposes a dog’s belly to their surroundings. So, if your companion chooses to nap, placing their legs stretched to the side is a clear sign they’re comfortable, warm, and trust the environment. The pose is also popular among dogs with joint issues. If the dog always lies on the same side, it may be related to pain in the leg that stays off the ground.

Lion's Pose (or Sphinx)

The name of the pose is, in a way, self-explanatory. The dog is lying on their belly with their head on their front legs extended, and their back legs tucked in. The resemblance to ancient sphinx statues is uncanny.

Lion's pose indicates that your furry friend is relaxing but not sleeping deeply. It suggests they’re ready to jump and react to what’s happening around them. However, you shouldn’t treat it as a sign of discomfort.

Head Raised

You can see this pose when your furry companion relaxes on a couch or chills in their bed. They lie on one side of their body, with the head and neck raised, positioned on a cushion or the side of the dog bed.

Some canines choose to sleep this way simply out of preference. However, it may be a sign of breathing issues for some, and they may be trying to find a comfortable position to inhale freely. If you own a brachycephalic breed or suspect respiratory problems, consult a vet for further assistance.

Superman Pose

This pose is easy to imagine if you’ve ever seen a Superman movie. The front and back paws are stretched while the pooch lies on their belly. It may seem like your pet is trying to recreate the iconic flight through the sky.

The pose is typical for high-energy breeds and puppies. They often do it while resting during playtime. It means they’re ready to quit their nap and return to play at any moment. They can also use this position when it's hot to decrease their body temperature.

Stomach Sleeper

The pose is typical for hot weather when dogs try to reduce their body temperature and seek a cold surface to lie on. They lie on their belly with legs stretched to the sides of the body. It makes contact with the cold surface more effective and helps a pet decrease their body temperature faster.

If they always lie on the same side and stretch their back leg, it may be related to knee pain.

Note: Dogs choose cold places and cold surfaces to sleep on if it's hot. Their body position may vary as they try to find the best way to cool down. Watch out for signs of overheating and help them decrease their body temperature by offering water or installing a fan.

Belly Up

This is probably one of the funniest dog sleeping positions to look at. It’s especially popular with playful breeds and puppies. They lie on their backs with their legs in the air, and their belly is fully exposed to the surroundings.

Though the pose may seem bizarre or even uncomfortable, don’t worry: canines don’t choose to sleep in poses that cause discomfort. The belly up pose often shows that dogs are relaxed and trust the environment. It also allows the air to circulate freely around the body.

Burrower Bug Position

If hot weather makes your dog seek creative ways to cool down, cold temperatures impact the sleeping positions they choose, too. Sleeping in the burrower pose is one way to stay comfy.

Your pooch may try to dig deep into the sheets and blankets, snuggling in them with the fabric all over their body. Apart from temperature regulation, canines can do this to relax and calm down.

Cuddler Bug

Dogs are social creatures – no wonder they enjoy the company of other pets or humans, even when they sleep. You may often catch your pooch sleeping on top of you, which signifies a bond and affection. Whether or not to let your dog share a bed with you is up to you to decide, but occasional cuddles will benefit both of you.

Also, dogs naturally prefer to sleep together (when we see communities of street dogs, they usually sleep in groups) as it gives them a sense of protection.

Back to Back

Like the cuddler bug, this is one of the dog sleeping positions that communicates their desire for company and comfort. If you own two or more dogs, you may see them sleeping back to back. This shows their love and affection for each other.

Wrap Up

A sleeping dog positions their body in all kinds of poses. Knowing your dog's sleeping habits can help you understand how they feel physically and emotionally. It can also improve communication and strengthen your bond with your pet.