
“It’s normal for dogs to twitch, have altered breathing patterns, vocalize, and move during sleep,” Demling-Riley assures. Humans toss and turn at night and dogs aren’t that different, explains Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), and founder of Pawtopia. While the position of your dog can say a lot about how they’re feeling, you can learn more about their state of mind by watching what their body is doing when they’re sleeping. What to know about dog sleeping behaviors If you’re worried that your dog is having breathing issues or is an older dog that’s moving slower, your pooch looking to elevate their head or neck could be a sign of discomfort and you should consult with your vet. If your pup habitually elevates its head on furniture, though, it could also be a sign of discomfort, or even potential health problems. If a dog rests its chin on you, it could be a sign of a contented pup looking for a nuzzle. Some dogs opt to rest their heads and necks on something comfortable, like the arm of a couch or their dog bed. Here are the 9 most common dog sleeping positions and what each can tell you about your pet. “That’s why looking at their sleep position is really important.”
Best sleeping dogs professional#
“When dogs sleep, you can see if they’re stressed,” says Kelly, who is a professional dog trainer, as well as a behavior consultant and founder of The Mannerly Dog. Kelly, CPDT-KA, recommends looking at the position of their bodies and heads as they’re falling asleep. If you want to know exactly how dogs are feeling, Nancy M.

“You have to look at temperature and whether they’re mentally or physically tired.” “There’s a lot of factors that go into the way a dog sleeps in a given moment,” says Curtis Kelley, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA ®) and dog trainer with Pet Parent Allies. They fall asleep at any time, in a host of different positions, and for wildly varying lengths of time. What does my dog’s sleeping position mean?ĭogs are like four-legged grandpas. We spoke to trainers, veterinarians, and animal behaviorists to understand what different sleeping positions mean and how a dog’s sleeping behavior can give you a glimpse into their personality and well-being. While you may not know exactly what your dog is thinking mid-slumber, you can get a sense of how your dog is feeling based on its sleeping position. They show their belly, twitch their paws, and make little huffs that have you wondering what they could possibly be dreaming about right now.
