One dog’s comfort …. 

Is another dog’s idea of hell. But we are usually the controllers of what our dog’s get to sleep on and where we place it. 

Merrick is no more likely to sleep on an extension cord than wear high heel shoes, but this is a CHOICE for Miika (photo thanks to Angie Lee). Not every choice is explainable. 

Many times our dogs compromise their choices to suit our lifestyle, especially our Collies. These compromises can add up until there is just one too many and we get a clear message that changes need to be made. Often those changes are not the foremost “issue” but a relief of earlier compromises can seem less important to us and of significance to your dog.

It is rather like living with a tricky cupboard door that never shuts properly and you have put up with it for years. A 10 minute investment with a screwdriver can sort the issue and, wow, this added smoothness to a simple everyday action gives pleasure instead of frequent, but low level, irritation.

Look closely at resting. This is as important for our dogs as it is for us. It is where batteries are re-charged, bodies are re-stored and knowing how overboard Collies can go in all they do, this restorative rest is easy to overlook. Your collie is very likely to forego good rest so that they can be forever on duty.

Resting and sleeping are not necessarily the same state. A dog can be restful and semi-alert to the changes around them, able to respond and make a decision whether their response is needed or not. They can settle and not sleep, just watching the world go by with a good degree of contentment. Or they cannot settle and are continually getting up and moving around? Perhaps they need a few minutes of moving around to be able to settle; that dog version of checking the house is safe: windows all shut, doors locked, light off before a restful sleep can be enjoyed.

Several preferred resting places, or just one?

This is firstly about their location of choice. Some dogs will want to find a spot in the house where they will not be left out of the action. This may be near a main doorway and anyone leaving the house or changing rooms can be monitored. It can be the bottom of the stairs, most annoyingly.

Or their choice may be the other extreme where they feel a need to go to their own den.

I have one of each. Todd is the doorway guy who fortunately gets up as I approach and Zip is the under the table, under the bed, under the desk, even under the car (parked in the fenced garden).

What does it tell us about their choices? Do they need to feel safe to rest, or feel safe they are not missing out?

Does this location change as the activities of the house changes? They learn our routines and will adapt to our activities.

Does this change from one season to the next? One of my Gordons was a veteran sun seeker for best sleeping choices combined with the bottom of my bed. She would shuffle along as the sun moved around, taking possible 2-3 hours of Most Serious Nap, until around midday I would hear a thump as she rolled once too often and fell off the bed. I don’t often see Collies as sun seekers but the activities of the neighbours will certainly shift Todd’s On Duty Sentry Post. He likes to know what is going on. This window, that door.

How much choice to they have? Can we designed their living routines to accommodate their preferences? Do we see evidence that their choice is good or are they wandering around unable to settle and rest?

Have they had the option to choose between hard and soft (e.g. floor and blanket) low and raised surfaces (e.g. floor and chair)?

Is it obvious which they prefer, or do they alternate? Collies are not always comfort lovers or put personal comfort as a priority. Duty often comes first. Do they prefer a place of elevation for viewing purposes or comfort?

Is the location suitable but the surface not? Can we move their bedding of choice to match the location of choice?

Can they take themselves to another spot to sleep if there are visitors or children’s activities or if they find the current TV programme alarming?

Are they able to move away from activities, noise, situations that make them feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Where do they go when you use a vacuum cleaner, mower, drill, or other noisy tools? Does the dishwasher or washing machine bother them? A ceiling fan or air conditioning unit? Can they move from heat to cool and vice versa.

I have underfloor heating which is delightfully warm to walk on barefoot, until you hit the cold spots (stone tiles) but I often see the dogs deliberately seeking these spots. Their feet are always in contact and giving them information.

If there is another dog in the house, can they take themselves away from them to sleep if they wish to?

Do the dogs sleep in proximity to others? Is there a sense of needing to protect the young or move away from their high levels of wakefulness?

Do they “heap” or sleep separate? Collies are not known for heaping unless very young, unlike other breeds that always want to heap. If your Collie shares life with a heaper they can find is most unsettling to be used as another dog’s pillow.

If they sleep close to you to they like physical contact or a degree of space?

Do they get to rest and chew or play with their toy quietly ?

Where is their preferred spot for a serious session with a bone or food/chew activity? Is this the same as their resting places?

Do they adopt a variety of sleeping positions, or do they tend to curl up tightly? Does your dog ever sleep on their back with their belly exposed?

How do they lie? Always on the same side or are they equally variable. If they go round and round before curling up is this always the same direction?

It is often regarded that a dog that is fully relaxed will sleep akimbo (upside down) but if your dog does not it does not mean they fee l unsafe but that their spine may not find that position comfortable.

Certainly as they begin to age sleeping patterns and choices may change. It is important we know what is normal so that we can monitor these changes.

Build yourself a picture library or journal of their resting and sleep preferences. Be aware that some of these choices are conditioned by us as they are crated or given chews or bones in selected locations and these have a reward history.

I have noticed when I travel to the States that beds are often places under windows with the head end next to the window. As a Brit this always seems odd to me as we prefer the wall opposite the window. I wonder if this is cultural, practical or really anyone’s personal choice? Does it make a difference? Don’t talk to me about Japan: sleeping that close to the floor was something of a nightmare (I made up the couch).

Good sleep where we feel safe and comfortable is important for us all.