How many times have you laughed at your dog sleeping on his tummy with his tongue out; or ran for the camera because he just looks too cute curled up around his teddy-bear; or been embarrassed when you have guests over and he is snoring loudly while sleeping on his back with all four paws spread-eagled?
Have you ever wondered why your dog sleeps the way he does? This article will attempt to shed some light on these mysteries of sleep.Many dogs will circle around a spot before they settle down to rest. While no one can be certain of the exact reason why they do this, the ritual is likely to be a residual habit from the ancestor of all dogs: the wolf. Wolves had to face the outdoor elements, without much warmth or safety. Walking around a spot was a way to stamp down grass, leaves or snow and create a soft, level surface for lying down, similar to carving out a nest.
After a dog circles, many times he will scratch at the floor, bedding or carpet before curling up. Like circling, the digging action is probably an ancestral behaviour related to staying safe and comfortable. In extreme heat, digging a hole was a way to reduce a dog's body temperature by surrounding himself with cooler soil that could help regulate body heat. When it was cold, or even freezing, climbing into a hole allowed a dog to retain body heat and keep cozy, as well as probably providing some security from other predators. If your dog likes to circle and dig before settling down, it's best to provide him with a blanket so he can 'dig' a nest in the bedding material, rather than leave him to dig on your couch, carpet or on the floor.
There are basically four types of sleepers when it comes to dogs:
�2 Belly-or-side sleeper–Most of the time, when a dog is sleeping on his side or on his belly with all four paws out, he is simply dozing, although he can go into a deep sleep when lying on his side. This position allows him to get to his feet quickly in case he hears a noise. Many small-breed dogs rest on their bellies, but this behaviour is also seen in some large-breed dogs.
�2 Curled-in-a-ball sleeper–This can be another common napping position, but curling into a ball also conserves body heat and protects the internal organs in the abdomen from would-be predators. Curling into a ball can be a sign that your dog is cold or that he does not feel completely safe in his environment.
�2 Lying back-to-back–Dogs who live together or sleep with their owners are sometimes found sleeping back-to-back with each other or with the owner. This position allows the dog to protect the pack-mate or owner by quite literally 'watching their backs', but is also a sign of affection and bonding.
�2 Back sleeper with all four paws spread-eagled–This is the position where dogs sleep most deeply. This is because the dog feels completely comfortable in his environment so he is able to relax and expose his entire abdomen without fear. By not being curled up into a ball, none of his muscles are tense. With his stomach exposed to the air, he is also able to keep cool. This is the position where dogs are most likely to enter the rapid eye movement (REM) or active stage of sleep. During this stage, the brain activity of a dog is similar to that seen during the dreaming sleep of humans and this is when you notice your dog kicking his legs, whining, barking softly, wagging his tail, twitching his nose and whiskers, etc, all evidence that your dog is dreaming. Puppies and older dogs tend to dream more than middle-aged dogs.
Dogs, on average, sleep about half of the day, stand for about a quarter of it, and spend the other quarter either sitting or lying down. About 80 per cent of sleep time is slow-wave or quiet phase of sleep which is the sleep of the mind: he lies still and is oblivious to his surroundings, his breathing slows, his blood pressure and body temperature drop, and his heart rate decreases. REM sleep accounts for only about 20 per cent of a dog's sleeping time but this deep sleep is necessary for the replenishment of the neurotransmitters in the brain.
The phrase 'let sleeping dogs lie' should always be taught to children (and to some adults), as 60 per cent of dog bites have been reported in children who have woken a dog who is in the REM stage of sleep. Just as humans, dogs who are sleeping soundly will be startled and disoriented if suddenly awoken from this deep slumber. And while humans may lash out or scream, dogs will defend themselves by biting. It is therefore important that owners know not to disturb a dog when the animal is asleep.
Finally, remember to provide a safe, comfortable and warm environment for your dog to encourage him to sleep enough, because if your dog lacks sleep he can be grouchy the next day!
