Reading Your Dog’s Sleeping Posture

1 Overview

Sleeping on the Side

Side sleeping is a slow-to-rise posture; when danger comes the dog reacts a beat late, yet it still chooses this and sleeps deeply. This posture usually means the surroundings feel comfortable, safe, happy and carefree. Dogs that often side-sleep are easygoing, loyal and trust their owner.

Curled into a Ball

Some dogs curl up, protecting paws and belly with only the back outside. This helps keep warm; many dogs like it in winter. By personality, if a dog curls up year-round, it usually lacks security and is sensitive, so it curls to reduce accidental harm; owners should give more love.

Flying (Sploot) Pose

Legs stretched, belly down – such dogs are usually energetic, excitable, outgoing and lively. On waking, hearing the owner’s call, they jump up and dash over. Common in puppies.

Lying Flat on Back

For a dog the belly is the weakest body part; if a dog shows you its belly, it deeply trusts you. If your dog sleeps flat on its back, it gets along very well with you; they are relaxed and independent.

Lying Down (Head on Paws)

Some dogs like lying with the head on a paw or on the ground; this posture lets them rise fast. If a dog uses only this posture all the time, it is mostly insecure about the surroundings, fearing accidents and wanting to flee fast. Working dogs and strays in the wild, surrounded by unknowns, use this to stay ready to work or run. A dog keeping this posture shows it does not yet trust the home, or has felt danger lately.