Mary Allen
Let sleeping dogs lie.
Everyone knows the phrase. It points to a source of danger that is best left untouched and not tampered with unless you are in the mood for trouble. Or at least uncomfortable consequences.
But what about the real meaning of this proverb in relation to dogs? Could there be something to it? Is my dog considered a “danger” if I wake him up?
Sleep Behavior
A large part of the dog’s everyday life is spent sleeping. Most of the time our four-legged friends are actually “dog-tired”. Sometimes they doze off, sometimes they sleep soundly. It is important that we humans give them enough opportunities to withdraw in order to meet their increased need for rest. Because what is normal everyday life for us can be perceived as stressful and hectic for the dog. Then he likes to retreat to a quiet, familiar place.
Dogs can sleep between 18 and 22 hours a day on average, depending on their breed, age, and health condition. A common problem is that some people think dogs need constant exercise. This is well-intentioned and mostly stems from ignorance, especially in the case of inexperienced dog owners. If a dog doesn’t get enough rest, it can have several effects:
- imbalance
- excitement
- nervousness
- aggressiveness
- susceptibility to disease
Relaxation During Dog Sleep
Dog sleep, like humans, has two phases: light sleep and deep sleep. The light sleep phase makes up the much larger part. We can recognize them by the fact that the dog dozes in a relaxed manner and breathes evenly, but is still immediately attentive to a noise. Its bodily functions are fully active during light sleep.
During sleep, just like humans, the dog’s cells repair and regenerate. The brain cells can reconnect, previously learned manifests itself. Because of this, dogs that get enough sleep often show faster progress in practicing commands or tricks.
Surely you have already noticed that your dog twitches, trembles, and also make funny noises while sleeping. A chuckle, a whimper, or a whimper. Don’t worry, that’s a good sign! It means that he is in the dream phase. In deep sleep. The more a dog experiences, i.e. the more it has to process, the more intensely its dreams, the more violently its body trembles and twitches. This is a very important process because not only does it relieve tension, it is also the phase where relaxation is greatest.
In this phase, you do not want to wake the dog under any circumstances. Sometimes we’re tempted, maybe because we think our dog isn’t doing well. I don’t advise it, though, because even the most peaceful of dogs can snap when roused from a deep, dreamy sleep. This would answer the question of the “source of danger” from our initial definition.
It is best to avoid the following activities while your dog is sleeping:
- noisy housework such as B. vacuum cleaner, kitchen mixer, etc.
- leave the television or music on loud
- Allowing visitors or strangers in general into the room where your dog sleeps
- wild children’s games or even shouting
- pet the dog
We can’t always base our daily tasks on the dog, especially not when it sleeps almost all the time. But we can make sure he gets a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle whenever possible. How much silence a dog needs is certainly also dependent on the type. You can best judge that for your faithful friend. For some, a dog cushion is enough as an oasis in the space of events. Others rest best in another room. Still, others do well to be sent to their box for a while or to a snuggle cave.
The Right Place to Sleep
There is no uniform optimal solution here. It is important for the dog that it does not have to lie on the hard ground all day. This is not good for the joints in the long run. It will also not matter to him whether his sleeping place is also cotton, imitation leather, or silk. As long as he can claim this space as his sanctuary, ideally not too far from his humans, he’s fine.
From the cuddly blanket to the dog cushion to the dog cave or, if you like it very stylish, the dog sofa. Whether you build it yourself or buy it, sewn or crocheted, you can let your imagination run wild. I only ask one thing: don’t wake your sleeping dog!