What Do Dog Sleeping Positions Mean?

Have you ever wondered why your dog sleeps the way it does? Well, sleeping positions can indicate a variety of things, personality- and relationship-wise. Here are the most common dog positions, and what they mean.

Curled into a Ball

This is probably the most common sleeping position in dogs, and you’re very likely to have seen it before. In this position, your dog will be curled in on itself with his nose touching his tail. Dogs sleep in this position in the wild and do so to conserve heat and protect vital organs. For the most part, this position is reserved for keeping warm, but can sometimes indicate discomfort in their environment as it is more protective than any other position on the list. 

Sprawled Out

This position is common, too, especially in puppies. If you find your dog in this position, then they are sleeping belly-down with their arms and legs stretched out into a start. Typically, this position is reserved for puppies but can be seen in dogs who are consistently ready to move. 

Side-Sleeping

If a dog sleeps on their side then rest assured that they are comfortable with you and feel safe in their environment. You’ll probably notice them switching to something more closed off in new environments. Since this position is more open, you’ll also notice an increase in sleep movements, which normally happen during a dog’s REM cycle.

Belly-Up

If your dog is in the belly-up position, then they are probably trying to cool off. Essentially, it serves the opposite purpose of the curled-up position, which conserves heat. This position can also indicate a maximum level of comfort within their environment, as it leaves every vital organ open.