"There is nothing insulting about looking at people as animals. We are animals, after all!"

Sleep Studies | Of Dogs 🐶

Quite late into the evening, yesterday, I made my way to the coffee shop that’s recently opened shop at our locality.

Alighting at the bistro, I chanced upon a few lovely dogs of the locality on their sleep mode.

Well, I was quite highly intrigued and fascinated by their ‘uniformed’ sleeping positions.

Thus started my little curious probing on the sleeping positions of dogs, and I found out from cynologists and their books, that, the sleeping style of a dog speaks volumes about a dog’s character and personality.

Relaxation / sleep comprises 50% of a dog’s ideal day, says Diane, a veteran cynologist [or canine specialist], and author of the book, Stress Release for Dogs: The Canine Emotional Detox.

She adds to say, 

Dogs need 12 to 14 hours of sleep daily (8 hours at night), so two to four hours during the day. Puppies, who expend a lot of energy exploring and learning may need as much as 18 to 20 hours.

Dogs often spend 50 percent of the day sleeping, 30 percent lying around awake, and just 20 percent being active.

Added, canine specialists also say that, a dog’s sleeping position is a hint and a clue to their feelings as well.

The sleeping position of these lovable dogs in the pic, is called the ‘Donut Position’, say experts.

In this position, the dogs curl up their limbs - tucked quite close to the body. It means that, the dog seeks to protect himself/herself. 

These dogs are very caring, and at the same time, quite anxious as well, as this sleeping position can also be a sign that they are sleeping or getting used to sleeping in a new place / home / territory. Experts add to say that, this position also helps the dog to preserve their body heat.

Similarly, there’s the ‘Side Sleeper Position’, wherein the dog sleeps on their sides, with their legs extended, in a very relaxed way.

This is also the most common sleeping position, according to dog experts. It could mean that, the dogs feel relaxed and safe in their present environment, and the temperature around is also comfortable for them.

And well, there are quite a variety of sleeping positions apart from these, which make for an interesting study on these adorable beings.

The next time around, when you see a dog sleeping, please don’t just pass over him/her.

Just take a minute off your time, and observe their sleeping style. I’m sure you’ll be quite fascinated and intrigued beyond measure, by this lovely behaviour analysis.

Also, if you are keen on observing human/animal behaviour, please don’t forget to read Desmond Morris.

He’s one of the bestest experts in the field of both human/animal behaviour.

Three books from Morris that you’d so love reading are –

1. People Watching

2. Animal Watching

3. Dog Watching

And for more on Desmond Morris, and his lovely books, you may want to read our past post on the legend HERE on our blog [on 12th July 2018].

Well, so, it would be only apt to conclude this little post with an inspirational quote from the legend himself –

There is nothing insulting about looking at people as animals.

We are animals, after all. Homo sapiens is a species of primate, a biological phenomenon dominated by biological rules, like any other species.

Human nature is no more than one particular kind of animal nature.

Agreed, the human species is an extraordinary animal; but all other species are also extraordinary animals, each in their own way, and the scientific man-watcher can bring many fresh insights to the study of human affairs if he can retain this basic attitude of evolutionary humility.

- Desmond Morris

Happy Watching & Happy Reading to thee! 😊

Pics: Clicked by this blogger - one at 6 am, and the other, at around 9.30 pm, yesterday