subject: Why Dogs Curl Up To Sleep [print this page] Dogs are good sleepers and they have the ability to be asleep in a snap whenever an opportunity is given. Breeds of dogs that have a fondness to lie and to sleep in front of the fire are called fireplace rugs. Dogs have different sleeping positions as while some dogs would lay spread eagled in the middle of the bed, others would take a small portion of the bed. Curled up or lying with the four legs up in the air are other sleeping positions of dogs. Dogs take different positions when sleeping but what these animals have in common is the fact that they spend more than half of their lives sleeping.
The sleeping positions of humans are analyzed and interpreted by psychologists. Have you ever wondered why a majority of dogs sleep all curled up? Dog wise people would not need the analysis of dog behaviorists to know the reasons why dogs sleep all curled up. Dogs have learned to survive on their own before they were domesticated by man.
This means that these animals would hunt their own food and would sleep wherever they find a relatively safe place. Primitive dogs have to sleep on hard ground, on the snow and on places open to the elements. The most obvious reason why dogs sleep all curled up is to conserve warmth. Curled up, the paws will be under the body and the tail will be used to cover the face.
Being pack oriented, dogs in the wild would stay together. Dogs would stay and sleep in a place secured from the attacks of predators even if the place chosen is cramped. Dogs would need to curl up to sleep in order to accommodate other pack members in the cramp den. This manner of sleeping is done for protection. A sleeping dog all curled up is protecting the vital organs from the attack of predators.
Modern day dogs are living pampered lives. Dog owners provide the pet with all the comforts of a dog's life. Modern day dogs now sleep in spacious and comfortable beds. Other pets are even allowed to share the beds of their masters. Dogs are still seen sleeping all curled up. No harm would come to a dog sleeping in this position but curled tight in a ball, the pet cannot have a restful sleep as the muscles are not relaxed. To make the dog comfortable you can try to encourage the dog to take other positions when sleeping.
