Spaniels are no wonder man’s bestest friend. However these creatures are also the enigma of bizarre, eccentric actions that none could decipher by now.
And one of these actions include sleeping with their butts facing you. I mean, why??? Yes, they do have irresistibly cute bums that their owners love to smack every once in-a-while, but waking up to their butts inches away from their face may not be a pleasant experience for all.
So, if you also have had these similar experiences, this blog is for you. Now, let’s start.
Table of Contents
Why do Spaniels sleep with their bums facing you?
The answer is simple. Your Spaniel trusts you completely. A vulnerable position for these majestic pups, just like any other dog breeds, if your Spaniel loves to sleep with their bums facing towards you, it’s their way of saying, “Hooman, I trust you. You make me feel safe and comfortable.”
Apart from that, your dog may also want to transfer their scent onto your body or get as close to yours as comfortably possible. Pooches love their humans, so if he/she tries to rub in with you, no matter what the position, this is a sign that they want to smell like you.
Are there any other reasons?
Depending upon their stance, and how long they have been doing so, if your Spaniel sleeps with their bum facing you, it means:
They are comfortable
Every canine has its own preference for sleeping position. And the only reason why your woofer has been sleeping with its back towards you is because it’s comfortable for them.
Such dogs often prefer to sleep one their sides when looking for a good night’s sleep, so be careful of the stance they are using to understand the meaning behind it. You might also want to have a look here for a better understanding.
They are protecting you
Now, another reason why they might be opting for the position is to protect you. Dogs are known for their unwavering loyalty, and hence they prioritise your safety even though they themselves are pretty much sleepy. This is much more likely if you are in a new surrounding or if your bed is near to the entrance.
Thus, the next time you wake up to the sight of your sleepy pooch’s bum towards you, don’t wake up abruptly. Rather, let the pup enjoy a good moment of sleep after the whole ‘knight in shining armour’ service.
They want back-rubs
One of the most favourite spots in a pooch’s body for rubs and pets is their rear, and they might be asking for the same by sleeping with their bum near to your face. Additionally, science also backs up the action by underlining the fact that their rear end has sensitive nerve endings and hence when rubbed, offers them much-needed relaxation and pain-relief.
But make sure your Spaniel is actually a fan of back rubs. Some pooches may not like being touched at certain places, including their rears, and hence snap or growl when touched without thinking.
They are shy
Mostly common with new Spaniel pups or shelter adoptees, by showing their bums to you when sleeping, your pooch is exhibiting shyness, even though they like being with you. This is their personality trait which can be acknowledged through positive reinforcement training and loads of patience. Therefore, give them ample time to come out of their shell at their own pace, and I guarantee you, you won’t be disappointed with the result.
They are marking you
As we know, Spaniels just like any other dogs greet their canine friends by sniffing their butts, as it contains pheromones. Thus, by keeping their bum nearby you, they are trying to make you smell just like them to other dogs.
This behaviour is a common occurrence for puppers with separation anxiety issues, hyper jealous, or obsessive with their owners. It may also be a dominance display, so be on the lookout for other aggression telltale signs.
They aren’t always a fan of Ventral contact
Ever felt jealous of picture-perfect dogs and their owners on SNS platforms sleeping with their faces close to each other, but somehow your pup doesn’t seem to entertain the idea??? Well, then there is no need to worry. Not every Spaniel has the same personality, likes and dislikes. Therefore, your pup might not be a fan of Ventral contact (a face-to-face or chest-to-chest contact).
Moreover, they may also be too tired to entertain your ideas and hence sleep with their tush planted towards you.
What do I do when my Spaniel sleeps with their bum towards me?
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!
Sleeping with their bum facing you doesn’t in any way mean that the woofer is plotting something against you, and hence there is no need to worry. However, if you don’t like the fact of waking up to the sight of their posterior, training them not to do that is the best option.
Similarly, while waking them up may seem the best choice, it can startle the dog seriously, leading them to snap out or act aggressively.
Just imagine, you are having a good, comfortable sleep, when suddenly someone decides to call out your name loudly or smacks your butt. Won’t you feel enraged enough to tear the whole place down??? The same happens with our fur balls and thus the aggressive behaviour.
When should I worry?
Just like every action is good until a particular amount of times, you may need to consult a vet in case you smell something nasty out of your Spaniel’s bum. Even though sniffing their bum from up close will definitely not be an enjoyable experience, if the smell is too much, the pooch may be suffering from an infection.
Flea infestations
Apart from making their skin severely itchy, the presence of fleas can also be a risk for your pooch’s overall health. This is because if the canine ends up ingesting a contaminated flea, chances are it might create internal issues, thereby leading to red, raw inflamed skin, pale gums, and other frustrating symptoms.
Unexpressed Anal Glands
Another most common reason behind a Spaniel’s grossy smelling bum is because of unexpressed anal sacs. Located at the bottom end, these sacs are naturally expressed when the pooch goes for its potty time, however in case of soft faeces, the anal sacs may not be properly expressed. This in turn leads to accumulation of the mucus which eventually flows out as a sticky, brownish yellow substance from their end. Keeping this unattended for long can easily trigger much more severe health issues and hence should be consulted at the right time.
Flatulence
Just like us humans, dogs are also prone to flatulence, and hence if you smell something awful consistently, your fur baby may be suffering from gastric issues. This generally happens if they are intolerant to certain ingredients in their food. Thus, working with your vet to find out the underlying cause is better than going for home remedies.
Finally, sleeping with their bum facing you is a way of them saying “I love you, hooman”, and hence until and unless you have too much problem with that, making a few adjustments is what’s best. It’s their way of expressing their feelings towards you, so why not try to be nice and welcoming to these little adorable creatures. Because,
“There’s nothing truer in this world than the love of a dog.”
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