What the dog's sleeping position says about his feelings

The sleeping position is also a key factor for health and well-being in dogs.

You can read about the meaning of the various positions here.

Dogs need a lot more sleep per day than we humans.

An adult dog sleeps around 10 to 14 hours of its entire day.

Puppies and older dogs even more: they spend 20 to 22 hours in the realm of dreams.

All sorts of videos of dogs in completely absurd and loveable sleeping positions are circulating on social media.

The hearts and comments of users are piling up underneath.

Only a few people think that every position has its own meaning and not every lying position is always just cute.

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Depending on how dogs feel, they choose their sleeping position.

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© Wirestock/Imago

Dogs choose their sleeping position depending on their well-being

For example, a dog that is completely comfortable will sleep differently than a dog that is in pain or feeling unsafe.

A distinction is often made between these seven different sleeping positions:

• The Stomach Sleeper

• The back sleeper

• Elevated head

• The side sleeper

• The Fox

• the super man

• Only together with mistress or master

What the stomach sleeper should say

If the walk was long and your dog wants to take a short nap, he'll probably lie down on his stomach to do so.

The paws are close to the body and the head rests on the ground between or directly on the paws (also known as lion pose).

In this position, the muscles cannot relax optimally, which is why it is very difficult for the dog to fall asleep.

From the prone position, the fur nose quickly gets back on its feet and is ready for the next adventure.

Sleeping position: dogs as back sleepers

In this popular position, all signs point to a sense of well-being: if your dog sleeps on its back, it feels completely well and would like to signal this to you.

The runs are stretched in the sign of relaxation.

The belly faces up and is completely unprotected.

With this, the dog demonstrates trust in its owners and shows that it feels comfortable.

An additional plus point: This sleeping position helps the dog to cool down, which is why the back sleeper is often chosen as the preferred lying position in summer.

This must be taken into account if your dog sleeps with its head held high

You should pay attention to this sleeping position.

If your dog noticeably often lies down to sleep with its head and neck elevated, this could be a sign of a medical condition: it is possible that the dog is having trouble breathing and may have a heart condition, for example.

Contact your veterinarian if you notice any abnormalities, such as rapid or noisy breathing or restrictions in the musculoskeletal system.

The importance of the side sleeper

When taking a break from romping around, dogs often choose a very specific sleeping position: the side sleeper.

If your dog also chooses this position, he shows that he feels safe and secure in his environment and is relaxed.

The legs are slightly bent or stretched out.

His abdomen is visible, which would make him vulnerable in the wild.

With you, however, he obviously does not feel the need for protection and thus shows his trust.

In this sleeping position, some dogs sleep blissfully for several hours.

It is best to leave them alone so that they can recover extensively.

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The fox: That's what you should know about it

In the "fox" the dog curls up and pulls its paws and tail close to the body.

The nose is placed on the hind legs.

In contrast to side sleepers or back sleepers, the stomach is not visible.

Care should be taken when dogs choose this sleeping position: the dog may not be feeling safe or anxious and may adopt this protective posture.

It gives him well-being and security.

For this reason he doesn't want to show his stomach either, so as not to make himself vulnerable.

This behavior is a vestige of the wild dogs, which needed to protect themselves from predators, especially when sleeping.

Dogs often choose this position when adjusting to a new environment such as a new home or changing circumstances.

In winter, however, "the fox" is not uncommon.

Curled up and snuggled up, the dog can generate heat more easily.

Incidentally, this position

also called donut because the rolling up reminds of the shape of a donut.

For furry heroes: Superman

Not to be confused with the position of the stomach sleeper, but similar in terms of sleep intensity: the dog probably wants to recharge and rest.

The only difference is that "in Superman" he stretches his front legs far forward, his hind legs far back and his stomach flat on the ground like a flying Superman.

This sleeping position reveals that your four-legged friend now needs his freedom and you should give him enough space for it.

Similar to the stomach sleeper, the dog can also jump up quickly from this position.

Puppies often prefer this sleeping position to recover after a long play session.

What it means when the dog only wants to sleep with its mistress or master

Some dogs sleep best when their master or mistress is lying next to them.

If this is also the case with your dog and he prefers to snuggle up to you in bed, for example, then the meaning is clear: your sweetheart feels safe, trusts you completely as a reference person and maintains a strong bond with you.

The cuddly unit reminds the dog of the pack behavior of its ancestors: Wild dogs slept in caves in families.

It may just as well be that the shared sleeping position reminds the dog of the early weeks of its life, which it spent snuggled up close to its siblings.

If you are the only person in your family who has chosen your dog to be your cuddle partner, that is a great honor for you: you are the person your dog trusts the most.

You two have a special bond, congratulations!

In the course of his dog's life, every dog ​​looks for the most different sleeping positions or invents completely new ones.

With our clues, you'll be able to glean meaning from each of his new and old habits.

In this way, you can give your darling what he needs in every situation and build an even more intimate relationship.

Owners need strong nerves: seven dog breeds whose training is really tough

Dalmatians are one of the smartest dog breeds.

That's a good thing in itself, but these spotted four-legged friends mix intelligence with a good deal of stubbornness.

The good-natured four-legged friends understand commands accordingly - but follow them rather reluctantly.

Clear leadership and intensive training are extremely important when raising Dalmatians, otherwise they will build up frustration and this can result in undesirable behaviors such as biting and growling.

© Roman Maerzinger/Imago

The chow chow looks like an oversized teddy bear.

But the Chinese dog breed is not an animal that everyone likes to cuddle.

The breed is considered stubborn and is less suitable as a family dog ​​because it is rather skeptical and cautious towards children.

He is also often dismissive of strangers.

He likes to fixate on a reference person.

A distinctive territorial behavior is also typical of his nature, which makes him a good watchdog.

© Imago/Panthermedia

The Basset Hound is a good-natured, calm, and even-tempered breed of dog that is affectionate and gentle with their family and generally has no problem with strangers.

However, due to its stubborn nature, the basset hound is considered to be rather difficult to train.

Unconditional obedience is not his thing.

Are you looking for an inquisitive companion who enjoys learning new tricks and commands?

Then your choice should not fall on the characterful Basset Hound.

© Imago/Panthermedia

Are you a big dachshund fan?

You are not alone in this.

The dachshund, also known as the dachshund, has cult status.

"Even Kaiser Wilhelm with his passion for the dachshund was an important source of inspiration.

So the dachshund was probably the first fashion dog in Germany,” quotes Die Welt Udo Kopernik, spokesman for the German Dog Association (VDH).

The dachshund is not an easy dog.

Bred for hunting, as a so-called ground dog for hunting foxes and badgers, its hunting instinct is usually strong.

Many owners also describe their darling as independent and headstrong.

If you want a dog that is easy to train, you should better keep your hands off the dachshund.

© D. Maehrmann/Imago

Couple walking in the park, man wants to play with dogA beagle looks cute but not suitable for beginners.

The reason: it was bred in England for hunting rabbits and other game.

Accordingly, his hunting instinct is extremely well developed.

Without a leash, he has therefore quickly succumbed to a scent and forgets everything around him.

The drive is often so strong that consistent training does not have the desired effect.

© Imago

Welsh Terriers and a Boston Terrier are playing in the foliage. The Welsh Terrier (pictured here on the left) is also a breed that was specialized in hunting.

The hardworking dog was and is sometimes still used to lure otters, badgers and foxes out of their dens.

The deeply rooted hunting instinct, the activity and activity-intensive nature of the Welsh Terrier and also a certain pugnacity make the dog breed the perfect companion for an active and experienced dog owner.

© Ardea/Imago

Husky curiously sniffs the cameraThe Siberian Husky is a sled dog breed from the USA.

It's one of those breeds that are often chosen as a first-time dog for their looks - which can have serious consequences.

It is not uncommon for dog owners who are overwhelmed to give their four-legged friend to the animal shelter because they cannot meet the needs of the husky.

As a result, the dogs can exhibit aggressive behavior.

What makes the sociable and sporty dog ​​a demanding companion for advanced users: huskies need a lot of exercise, and simply going for a walk is usually not enough for them.

They also dislike being alone, have a strong hunting instinct and can be headstrong, loud and stubborn.

© Dmitry Akhmadullin/Imago

Fun fact about your four-legged friend's sleeping behavior: If your dog's hindquarters is turned towards you while he's sleeping - whether on the sofa or in bed with you - this is also a sign of trust in you.

Rubric list image: © Wirestock/Imago