We usually talk about the three basic needs of living—food, clothing and shelter. These things are very essential for a person’s survival. We do all sorts of toils and hard work to fulfil these needs. But have you imagined why all these things are so important? Or why is everyone in this race of coming first? Well, a very simple answer to this is SLEEP. Yes, you heard it right! Man is always running, sweating behind things to get a good night’s sleep. You can’t sleep if you don’t have your basic needs satisfied. An empty stomach, a bare body and a roofless home is not an ideal position to sleep in. Hence, we are always on a tick of clock to accomplish them.
So basically all are life is around going to sleep and then again working so that we can sleep in contentment. If you think that humans are the only creatures who are so obsessed with sleep, then let me correct you! You are definitely wrong. Every living, breathing, mobile and immobile creatures require their slot of sleep. And the most amusing part is you can’t really escape it nor have an alternate for it.
Now, while am giving you all this ‘gyaan’ about how sleep is important, my little dog, Bruno is having a first class nap at my leg. He’s a sweetheart. And he sleeps a lot. Like seriously a lot. I always keep telling him that he’s living life king’s size. But on a serious note, your pets sleep is a subject of importance. That even keeps fluctuating your relation status with him.
A dog on an average sleeps for nearly 12-18 hours. Yeah, sounds like a lot but that’s not in a single day. It’s in a whole day, in small-small naps. You need to observe the sleeping patterns of your dog. Every dog and every breed has its own sleeping style. It even depends upon the dog’s age and personality traits. Dogs like Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands and Mastiffs spend a lot time of their life sleeping. This maybe the reason that these species were often referred as ‘mat dogs’, as they were always found on mats lying.
Though a dog sleeps more than us, they wake more frequently than us. A dog as pet is more prone to sleep as compared to dogs who work for their living – like the rescue dogs, search dogs and even those works at farms. Dogs can be called as lucky and smart pet. Because, although they sleep a lot they are capable or changing and adjusting our sleep patterns when they have something important to do.
Dogs, as a pet even don’t compromise their sleeping place or comfort. They want it as they want it. It’s their way or highway. Most dogs that live on streets or in wild, sleep in their specific dens and territory. They like making it a point. Even at home, they prefer places such as under the bed or in a crater or behind the door. They even sometimes paw or dig the surface that they are supposedly to sleep on, to give it a den feel.
As an owner you can please your dog by making him a comfortable bed to sleep. Look for some plush and soft beds. They enjoy scratching and rubbing on their beds. Make sure the bed you choose should be perfect in dimensions. It should fit your dog properly in it. A big size bed won’t be a problem. The bed should even be less artificial and has more of homely feel. Some dogs prefer snuggling in their owner’s bed. They like the sharing of the bed. Some observers consider this behaviour as normal. They even add that such behaviour can strengthen the human-canine bond. The dog feels closer to the owner. And don’t forget the amount of warmth your dog can give you. But on the contrary, there are even some that say sharing the same bed with your dog can make him feel grandeur. He feels superior to you and thinks he has some power over you. However, such theories come and go. The only way to find out is really experiencing it.
Sometimes the dogs become sleep deficient or sleep more than necessary. This is the time you must get alarmed and start acting. Try to find out if your dog is going through some medical problem or some trauma. The problem can even be some kind of fear from fellow dog. So be aware around your dog. Dogs even find difficult sleeping in new and unfamiliar places. They take time adjusting in new atmosphere.
Moral of the story is that dogs are none less than sleeping beauties. They sleep a lot. And enjoy doing it. Sleeping is an important part of their timetable. Do not dare disrupt it, as no one likes being disturbed while sleeping.