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Why Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Sleep on Their Back?

The Bernese mountain dog is an exceptionally adaptable dog from Swiss farms. They were bred to herd livestock, watchdogs, pull small carriages, and be faithful associates. Out of the four Swiss mountain dogs known to people, it’s the only one with long coats.

Sometimes dogs can sleep in bizarre postures. However, your pup’s manner of sleep is not simply a personal choice. How your dog sleeps may tell many things about your personality and health.

So, let’s find out why Bernese mountain dogs sleep on their back. 

Why do Bernese Mountain Dogs sleep on their back?

Bernese mountain dogs sleep on their back when they feel safe and comfortable in their environment. You may think sleeping on its back with all four legs in the air is strange, but your puppy is as pleased and comfy as it can be. Like humans, dogs have various phases of sleep and sleeping pattern.

The most comfortable posture for a Bernese mountain dog to sleep in is on his back since this position enables all of his muscles to restfully. Even whether a dog sleeps on its stomach, side, or curled up, its muscles remain tight.

Each of these postures enables the dog to awaken and stand rapidly.

When a dog sleeps on its backside, its muscles are relaxed, he is in deep sleep mode, and his most benign condition.

To cool down, the Bernese mountain dogs also sleep on their backs. Whether your Berner is overheated from the weather or exercise, exposing his tummy cools him down.

A dog’s stomach has the least hair; thus, revealing it is similar to changing from a thick coat to a lighter one. This posture is particularly advantageous for dogs, who have sweat glands located only on their paws, unlike humans.

Bernese mountain dogs like to lie on their backs not just for comfort and cooling but also for a sense of security in their surroundings. It is a condition that happens only in enclosed spaces. 

How do Bernese Mountain Dogs sleep? 

The Bernese mountain dogs like to sleep on their side, similar to humans. Dogs often sleep on their side with their legs outstretched. This resting posture is more prevalent in pups and elderly dogs with tight joints.

The lion’s stance sleeping position (alternatively referred to as ‘the sphinx’) is when your Berner sleeps with their head on their paws – similar to lion sculptures seen outside significant buildings.

Additionally, your dog may fall asleep in this posture, with its front paws curled up and its rear legs crossed.

When your dog is splayed out on the ground with their tummy pushed to the floor, their hind legs behind them, and their front paws extended forward, they are in the superman position. This is a typical posture for puppies and dogs who are very playful.

Have you observed that your Berner likes to lie on cushions, clothing, or blankets? If this is the case, your Berner prefers to sleep in the burrower posture.

Perhaps one of the prettiest canine sleeping positions, the belly-up posture is exactly what it sounds. This is the posture in which your Bernese mountain dog is lying on its back, tummy up, and paws in the air.

As unpleasant as this posture may seem, it is a sign of genuine relaxation and contentment in dogs.

Do Bernese Mountain Dogs sleep a lot? 

Bernese mountain dogs enjoy sleeping a lot. Puppies, in particular, should get plenty of rest. It is a big breed, and the bones grow slowly. Sleeping helps with their growth and to recharge their lost stamina due to exercising.

Avoid over-walking your puppy at an early age. Bernese Mountain Dogs reach full maturity at the age of three. As a puppy, Bernese mountain dogs would sleep a lot and often.

Taking naps is one of their favorite pastimes. When they get comfortable around you and feel secure in your house, they can start sleeping more comfortably irrespective of age.

In adulthood, the sleeping pattern of your Bernese mountain dog depends on how you have trained him and what his sleeping pattern is.

The dog enjoys exercise, but not excessively or for an extended length of time, and is therefore regarded as rather a sluggish dog. After exercising, it would lay on the couch or curl up against you, searching for comfort and affection.

How many hours do Bernese Mountain Dogs sleep?

Exercising your Bernese mountain dogs during the day would mean that they would need to sleep the entire night. Sleeping roughly 6-8 hours during the night and then a few hours nap during lunchtime is sufficient for this breed.

Bernese puppies typically sleep for 15-18 hours a day.

Sleeping hours depend a lot on how your dog spent the entire day. If you exercise your dog and then take him out for walks or slow runs, he’ll sleep peacefully at night. But if it still has energy left in him, he’ll wake up in the middle of the night and start looking for things to do.

Always remember that a tired dog is a happy dog. Playing with him and doing fun activities will help your Bernese mountain dog to sleep better.

Train him to use the potty before going to bed, and it would help your dog rest easily. Plus, you won’t have to wake up at 3 AM to his howling and relieve him.

When can Bernese Mountain Dogs sleep through the night?

By the time Bernese Mountain dogs reach approximately 16 weeks (4 months) of age, the majority of the Berners will sleep through the night. However, with a bit of assistance, perseverance, and proactive training, you may be able to bring your puppy there much sooner!

When Berners need to use the potty, they wake up from their sleep. That’s why it is vital to potty-train your dog from an early age. If your Bernese mountain dog relieves himself before going to bed and has an empty stomach, he’ll be able to sleep through the night.

Berners that eat their dinner before going to sleep will wake up in the middle of the night and start looking for you if you’re not nearby. As they have separation anxiety, they can’t stay away from their favorite person for too long.

Where should a Bernese mountain dog sleep? 

Every dog is special and has a specific set of requirements. If Bernese mountain dog is prone to mischief at night, it may be better to confine him to a bedroom or cage until the morning. Most dogs like to lay close to you and would choose to sleep next to you if they had the option.

When you start crate training of your Berner, it would be best if you placed the crate in your bedroom because pups tend to wake up in the middle of the night to poop or pee. Once they start getting old, you can shift his bed outside of your bedroom.

Bernese mountain dogs have separation anxiety. That’s why they can’t stay away for too long. Even if you give him the softest dog bed, he’ll end up curling up next to you and sleeping wherever you are sleeping.

Why do Bernese Mountain Dogs lay on their backs?

Bernese mountain dogs resting on their backs are unique to domesticated dogs and not to their wild relatives. While dogs share many characteristics with their wild counterparts, this is a characteristic unique to pets. Laying directly on their backs makes them particularly vulnerable.

It provides little to no protection for their bodies and leaves them exposed.  It shows that they are very secure. They are secure enough not to need protection which means your Berner feels safe in the house.

A more endearing explanation for why Bernese mountain dogs lie on their backs may be to express their love. Dogs that sleep on their back are completely exposed to everyone around it. Dogs that are very trusting of their owner will doze off in this posture to show their trust.

Why do Bernese Mountain Dogs sit on your feet?

Bernese Mountain Dogs are susceptible and cuddly. This implies they will constantly want to sit on your feet and lean against you.

If you are considering adopting this breed of dog or want to get to know your dog better, keep in mind that physical contact is the most effective method of communication.

Take this as praise if you see your dog doing this! Your dog adores being in your company. That’s why he wants to sit on your feet.

Why does my Bernese mountain dog sit on me?

While this is not a characteristic of the Bernese mountain dog, they are notorious for sitting on people they love and even on strangers. This may indicate the dog showing his authority in certain breeds, but it is uncommon for the Berner to attempt to dominate.

It’s more of a sign of affection and love.

Why do Bernese Mountain Dogs lean?

The Bernese mountain dogs like to lean on people they deem friendly or affectionate towards.

Even if it’s a stranger, if you show him, love, he’ll lean on you as an expression of gratitude.

Why do Bernese Mountain Dogs put their paws on you? 

Dogs express their need for attention by lifting a paw and caressing you. This occurs most frequently when seated, and your dog reaches you to place a paw on your thigh. This is conveyed in pups by continuously pawing the air.

Final Thoughts:

In conclusion, when Bernese mountain dogs feel secure and happy in their surroundings, they sleep on their backs. You may think it’s odd, yet your Berner is as content and comfortable as can be. As with people, dogs have distinct sleep stages and sleeping patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions:

When Do Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies Lose Their Teeth?

How Far Can a Bernese Mountain Dog Walk?

How Fast Can a Bernese Mountain Dog Run?

Why Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Sit on Your Feet or Lean?

Why Are Bernese Mountain Dogs So Needy & Clingy?

Why Are Bernese Mountain Dogs So Expensive?