Your dog likes to sleep with his bum facing you, and you find that to be an awkward position for him to be in, and you wonder why he does that?
A dog likes to sleep with his bum facing you because he trusts that you will keep him from any threat. He is exhibiting his protective instinct and wants to be respectful to you. He likes you to pet his rear or has earned your praise from doing so. You have bad breathing or snoring in your sleep.
He Trusts You Will Keep Him From Harm
It takes lots of trust for your dog to “hand over” his rear to you.
By facing his bum on you during his sleep, he is making a strong statement that he trusts you to keep him safe from harm while he lets his guard down during his sleep.
This is actually a good sign as he sees you as his pack leader, not as a foe or stranger, and will be more willing to obey your commands.
He Wants To Be Respectful To You
In the dog’s world, staring is often seen as a “threat” and a form of challenge.
That is why you will often find your dog averting any direct eye contact with you!
By facing his bum on you during his sleep, he is expressing his submissiveness to you and telling you that he is not confronting you or wanting to be “dominant”.
He feels safe to be with you.
This submissive posture is the way for him to show that he respects you.
He wants you to know that he is your obedient companion.
You see, a dog that feels safe in his environment will never act out of control.
He will always be aware of what is going on around him.
He knows where the boundaries are and will never cross them.
He Is Acting Out Of His Protective Instinct
If you observe how dogs sleep, you would not be surprised why your dog is facing his bum at you during his sleep.
Dogs often sleep with their bums facing each other.
The reason for this behavior is to safeguard each other and keep a lookout for any potential danger.
In this way, they are able to see threats from both directions, instead of one.
So, when your dog does this action to you, he is trusting that you will protect him while he will do his duty to watch out for incoming intruders.
This is also very similar to how humans sleep, where we face the direction where the danger is coming from.
He Wants You To Pet His Rear
Did you ever gently pet your toddler’s bum just to make him feel at ease and get to sleep?
You may be surprised that your dog will actually want the same “treatment” from you.
He may have seen you doing that to your toddler and find that to be warming and comforting as you are devoting your full attention to doing it.
He wants you to give his bum a gentle message and pat to help him relax and go to sleep.
This is a very good way to build your bond with him and let him know that you are there for him.
You Have Encouraged This Action
Did you ever praise or pet your dog when he sleeps with his bum facing you?
Most of us have done it without even thinking about it.
This might have positively reinforced the behavior.
Your dog will feel that by sleeping with his bum facing you, you are going to be happy and start praising him.
He is likely going to sleep in this posture again and turn that into a habit.
He will continue to do it because he has been reinforced for doing it.
So be careful not to reinforce the behavior you don’t want.
You Have A Bad Breath (Due To The Food You Eat)
Dogs have a sensitive sense of smell and if he smells something that irritates his nose, he will attempt to turn away from it.
This is why, if you eat foods that are cooked with chili pepper or ground spices or alcoholic drinks, the strong irritating smell lingering in your breath will turn your dog off.
He will not leave you as he loves you but will sleep in another direction with his rear facing you to get away from the scent.
You Are Snoring Too Loud
Besides having a sharp smelling scent, dogs also possess sensitive hearing ability and your snoring simply makes him restless.
He can hear even the slightest noise of your snoring and cannot sleep peacefully.
As he loves to be with you, he will try to keep the sound of your snoring in his ears to the minimum by turning his head away from you.
And the best posture will be for him to sleep with his bum facing you.
He Doesn’t Like Face To Face Sleeping
Unlike humans, where we like to face each other, even during our sleep, dogs prefer to sleep on their side, away from chest to chest or face to face contact.
This is because your dog can feel a lot of warmth (breathe) from your face when he faces you during his sleep and this makes him very uncomfortable.
This will disturb his sleep and make him more restless.
So he prefers to sleep in another direction with his bum facing you.
This posture also allows him to stretch himself as far as he likes during sleep.
Individual Preference
It’s essential to remember that dogs, like humans, have individual preferences when it comes to sleep positions.
Just as some humans prefer to sleep on their side or back, dogs also have their own sleeping preferences.
While many dogs may choose to sleep facing away from their owners, there are also dogs who feel more comfortable sleeping in close proximity or even cuddling with their owners.
Personal Space
Just like humans, dogs also appreciate their personal space when they sleep. Sleeping facing away from their owners gives them a sense of independence and allows them to have their own resting space.
Sleeping Positions in Dogs
Getting a glimpse into the sleeping positions of our canine companions can provide valuable insights into their comfort, behavior, and overall well-being.
Dogs have a wide range of sleeping positions, each with its own significance. Let’s explore some common sleeping positions observed in dogs:
The Curl
In this position, dogs tuck their paws under their bodies and curl up tightly. This position is reminiscent of their ancestral roots, as it helps them keep warm and protect their vital organs.
It is also a self-soothing position that helps dogs feel safe and secure. Dogs that sleep in the curl position are often calm, relaxed, and content.
The Side Sleeper
Dogs that sleep on their sides with their legs extended are in the side sleeper position. This position allows for maximum relaxation and is an indicator that the dog feels comfortable and trusts its environment.
Side sleeping is common among dogs that feel secure and have a close bond with their owners.
The Superman
In the superman position, dogs stretch out their front and back legs while lying flat on their bellies. This position allows for quick and easy movement, as dogs can quickly spring into action if needed.
Dogs that sleep in the superman position are often energetic, active, and ready to play.
The Belly Up
When dogs sleep on their backs with their bellies exposed, they are in the belly-up position. This vulnerable position indicates a high level of trust and a feeling of safety in their environment.
Dogs that sleep belly-up are usually relaxed, confident, and content.