Odd Behaviours of Dogs: Running in Their Sleep and More

Sleep Position

You may have wondered why your dog always curls up in a ball when they lie down to sleep, even when it's not cold. According to Vetstreet, this behaviour is an evolutionary holdover from their ancestors. In the wild, wolves and wild dogs curl up while sleeping in order to protect their vulnerable organs from an attack.

But if that's the case, then why do some dogs sleep on their backs with their bellies exposed? A small percentage of dogs are comfortable sleeping this way — Vetstreet estimates between five and ten percent. Easy-going, well-socialised dogs with temperaments that are a far cry from their wolf cousins and ancestors may favour that position. If your pup likes to sleep on their back, this is a sign that they trust you and feel safe and secure in their surroundings.

Turning Circles and Digging

Another strange behaviour you might have observed during your dog's bedtime is a habit of scratching the floor and turning in circles before lying down, even on a soft surface like a bed or pillow. This behaviour goes all the way back to the same nesting instinct that compels dogs to curl up to sleep. In the wild, their canine ancestors would dig to soften the ground and create nests to lie down in, which would offer added protection and help to regulate body temperature. They would also turn circles to tamp down the dirt, leaves or grass lining of their bed to make it more comfortable. Why this instinct has survived thousands of years and is still strong in domestic dogs today remains a mystery.

Snoring

Most dogs can be heard sawing logs in their sleep from time to time. However, some do it more often than others. Dogs snore for the same reason humans do — because of an obstruction in the airway. This obstruction can have a number of causes, including allergies or respiratory illness, obesity or the shape of the snout. Bulldogs, for example, are notorious snorers because of their compact snouts.

While occasional snoring is nothing to be concerned about, chronic snoring could indicate a more serious problem with your pup. In all likelihood, a dog that snores a lot while asleep also has difficulty breathing while awake, warns PetMD. Because dogs rely on the ability to breathe rapidly to help regulate their body temperature, the inability to do so could have serious repercussions on their health. So if you have a chronic snorer, you should visit your veterinarian to determine the cause of your dog’s snoring.

Dogs sleep for hours throughout the day, providing plenty of opportunities to observe these quirky behaviours. So the next time you notice your dog running in their sleep, you can smile knowing they’re having a blast chasing dream squirrels or playing a game of dream fetch.