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Why Do Dogs Sleep With Their Bum Facing You? (9 Common Reasons)

Categorized as Why Does My Dog
dog sleeping with their bum facing you

There are many reasons why a dog might sleep with their bum facing their owner, and some of them may be surprising. Here are 10 of the most common reasons:

1. They Trust You

When a dog trusts their owner, they may feel more comfortable sleeping in the most vulnerable position possible such as with their bum facing you.

There’s no way for dogs who sleep with their bum facing their owner to keep an eye on what’s going on behind them, so they’re essentially putting themselves at risk by sleeping in this position.

However, if a dog trusts their owner implicitly, they know that they don’t need to worry about being attacked while they’re sleeping.

2. It Feels Safe and Comforting

For some unknown reason, sleeping with their bum facing their owner makes some dogs feel safe and comfortable.

It’s possible that this position reminds them of when they were puppies and would sleep cuddled up against their mother.

3. They’re Protecting You

Some dogs may sleep with their bum facing you as a way of protecting you from behind.

They may feel that since they’re the ones in front, they can keep an eye on any potential threats and protect their owner if necessary.

This could be more likely to happen if the dog comes from a breed that is traditionally used as a guard dog such as a Rottweiler or German Shepherd.

4. They’re Not a Huge Fan of Face-to-Face Contact

Dogs aren’t always fans of face-to-face contact, and sometimes they’ll choose to sleep in a way that allows them to avoid it.

Sleeping with their bum facing you is one way for dogs to get away from direct eye contact and minimize the amount of physical contact they have with other people or animals.

Some people also call this the “submission” position, because it’s a way for dogs to show that they’re not looking for a fight.

5. They’re Trying to Keep Warm

Just like humans, dogs get cold when they sleep and may curl up in a position that helps them to stay warm.

Sleeping with their bum facing you is one way for dogs to do this, as it allows their bodies to heat up more quickly.

Here are some signs that your dog may be cold:

  • Shivering
  • Whimpering
  • Hunched over posture
  • Lifting a paw off the ground
  • Tucking their tails
  • Whining

6. They’re Trying to Rub Their Scent On You

Dogs have a gland in their tails that releases a scent when they rub it against something.

Some dogs may sleep with their bum facing you as a way of marking you with their scent and claiming you as their own.

If this is the reason your dog is sleeping with their bum facing you, you may also see them smearing their bum on other things in your home such as furniture or clothes.

7. They’ve Been Taught to Sleep This Way

In some cases, dogs may have been taught to sleep with their bum facing their owner.

For example, if a dog’s owner often pets them while they’re in this position, the dog may learn that this is the desired behavior and start to do it more often.

Even if you didn’t encourage your dog to sleep with their bum facing you, it could be that they’ve learned it from their previous owner or from another animal in the household.

8. They Want You To Pet Their Bum

Some dogs may sleep with their bum facing you as a way of begging for a pet.

They may know that this is one of the only ways to get your attention when they’re sleeping, and they’ll take any opportunity they can to get some love from you.

9. They Have Medical Issues such as Fleas or Anal Gland Issues

Some medical conditions can cause dogs to sleep in unusual positions, such as with their bum facing their owner.

For example, if a dog has fleas, they may try to sleep in this position to let you know that they’re itchy and need to be treated.

To make sure that medical issues are the reasons your dog is sleeping with their bum facing you, you should also look for other symptoms such as itching, biting their fur, or scooting their butt on the ground.

Should You Be Concerned If Your Dog Sleeps With Their Bum Facing You?

In most cases, there’s no need to be concerned if your dog sleeps with their bum facing you.

This position is often just a sign that your dog trusts you and feels comfortable around you.

However, there are a few cases where this behavior could be a sign of something more serious.

If your dog is constantly sleeping with their bum facing you, and they have other symptoms such as incessant barking or growling, this could be a sign of something wrong with them.

5 Tips for Helping Your Dog Sleep Better

If the reasons your dog is sleeping with their bum facing you are causing you concern, there are a few things you can do to help them sleep better.

1. Find The Root Cause

The first step is to figure out what’s causing your dog to sleep in this position. Only after you find the root cause can you start to work on fixing the problem. For starters, take a look at the list above and see if any of the reasons apply to your dog.

2. Get Them Treated For Medical Conditions

If your dog is sleeping with their bum facing you because of a medical condition, the best thing you can do is to get them treated. This may involve taking them to the vet for a check-up, getting them medication, or making changes to their diet.

As mentioned previously, some common medical conditions that can cause this behavior are fleas and ticks, and anal glands.

Fleas and Ticks Treatment

There are a few different ways to treat fleas and ticks in dogs. Some of the most common treatments include:

Flea collars

Flea collars are a popular form of flea treatment for dogs. They work by releasing a chemical that kills fleas on contact.

Flea collars are usually very affordable, and they can be used in conjunction with other forms of flea treatment.

Flea shampoos

Flea shampoos are a great way to kill fleas on contact. They work by lathering the dog’s fur and hair with soap, which then kills the fleas.

Flea shampoos can be used in conjunction with other forms of flea treatment, or they can be used as a standalone treatment.

Flea dips

A flea dip is a treatment that submerges the dog’s entire body in a special chemical solution. This solution kills fleas on contact.

Flea dips are usually only used as a last resort, as they can be quite expensive and time-consuming.

Oral medications

There are a few different oral medications available to treat fleas in dogs. These medications work by killing the fleas inside of the dog’s body.

Natural remedies

There are a few natural remedies available to treat fleas in dogs. These remedies usually involve using a combination of herbs, essential oils, and water.

Anal Glands Treatment

Dogs rely on their anal glands to communicate with other dogs, and when something goes wrong with these glands, it can be a real pain for both the dog and the owner.

The treatment for anal gland problems will vary depending on the severity of the problem. In most cases, the glands will need to be expressed manually by a veterinarian or groomer. In more severe cases, the glands may need to be surgically removed.

3. Create A Comfortable Sleeping Space

If your dog is sleeping with their bum facing you because they’re uncomfortable, one way to help them is by creating a more comfortable sleeping space. This could involve putting a bed in a warm spot in your home, adding some blankets or pillows, or buying a special dog bed.

4. Train Them To Sleep In A Different Position

If your dog is sleeping with their bum facing you because they’ve learned that this is the desired behavior, you may need to train them to sleep in a different position. If you don’t know how to do this, consult with a professional dog trainer.

5. Make Sure They’re Getting Enough Exercise

One proven way to prevent many behavior problems is to make sure your dog is getting enough exercise. A tired dog is a good dog, and if your dog is sleeping with their bum facing you because of behavioral reasons, one way to help them is by making sure they’re getting enough exercise.

How much exercise your dog needs will depend on their age, breed, and health. As a general rule of thumb, most dogs need around 30 minutes of exercise per day.

Conclusion

Dogs are full of surprises, and it’s always fun to learn something new about their behavior. With that in mind, we’re here to help you understand why your furry friend might be sleeping with their bum facing you.

Whether they have a medical condition or they just want some love from time to time, the reasons for this position are endless. We hope you enjoyed this article and feel more connected to your dog after reading it!

Related Questions

1. Why Does My Dog Show Me Their Bum?

Dogs will show their owners their bums for a variety of reasons. In some cases, they may be trying to communicate something (like needing to go outside to pee), while in other cases, they may simply be trying to show that they’re relaxed and passive.

And in still other cases, they may simply want attention and petting in the rear area. Knowing your dog’s individual personality and behaviors will help you better understand why they’re showing you their bum at any given time.

By Andrew Garf

Andrew Garf has loved dogs, especially German Shepherds, since he was 10 years old. Though he also loves burgers, training dogs is his real passion. That's why he created the website TrainYourGSD.com - to help dog owners learn how to properly train, care for, and bond with their German Shepherd dogs.