Why do dogs lie in specific spots?

[Lollylolo]

My dog has a number of spots he will sleep in and will not deviate from. For example-

• On the carpet directly outside the kitchen door (causing a trip hazard!)
• If hot, on the tile in the kitchen directly in front of the door
• In our bedroom, approximately 2 foot away from the door to the en suite
• In the hallway behind the front door
• Beside the short arm of the sofa in front of the lamp table

He is the first dog we've ever had, is this normal? There are so many places where he could lie/sleep (and where he's not in the way!) but these seem to be the only places in the house he likes. Is there some sort of doggy psychology to this?

Yes, there are several explanations ranging from he just likes it there, to the sun shines on it and it's warm, to he is controlling you and getting in your way for attention. Many possibilities.

We all have our favourite armchair, or bench in the park. Dogs are no different.

The cold tiles are nice on the tummy when the weather is hot. Also, in hit weather a spot near the door is cooler because of the air circulation.

Other favourite spots are near the fridge, for obvious reasons, and anywhere where they can see in all directions.

They like the smell, often dogs are led by their noses! Also, habit, very keen on keeping things regular. My dog seems to be able to tell the time, too. Dinner at 12, on the dot or it's hard stares and huffs. 🐕

I think it’s so they can sleep more deeply because if you leave you will pass by them/trip over them and wake them up. My dear dear old dog long gone now also favoured in front of the telly when awake. I think so she could pretend we were all looking at her.

There may be some reason - perhaps an air current which wafts information-rich air his way.
Our old boy (a standard dachshund) used to lie right across the landing next to the bathroom. We eventually realised it was where a hot water pipe ran. He was quite put out when we changed the system and it no longer was a hot spot.

Is he a guarding breed? Our breed is and they invariably lie near doors.

But yes, I suppose they do all have their favoured spots to settle and it varies depending on mood, weather and time of day.

Our cats do exactly this with regard to warm pipes - on the landing, right outside the bathroom door.

As an example what I worked out for 1 of my dogs:
Lies on the lower part of the staircase where it turns and there is a flat larger area if some people in the house are upstairs and others downstairs. I think this is do he can keep an eye on things and know what is going on. He has zero visibility of anyone in that spot but he knows who is where he's in the house and keep track of movements as people walk past/over him.

Lies in front of the oven door pretending to sleep when I'm cooking, prime spot for observing anything dropping on the floor as my prep surface is next to the oven and he can also watch the fridge. Total tripping hazard for me, very dangerous in fact, but I don't have the heart to tell him to move.

Lies by the main door to the garden for observation purposes. Even when the door is wide open. He can lunge into the garden and chase away small animals unaware of his presence. Again dangerous because he is big and sprawling, tripping hazard.

He has 3 very specific spots in the house during hot weather. These don't look obviously cool to me, but I tried the one under one particular bed he uses the most and it is surprisingly cooler (no idea why).

During cold weather, if the sun is out, he goes on one particular bed at a certain time mid-morning where there is a spot of sunlight. After lunch, he has a different sunny spot on the floor in a different room.

The other dog just seems to be in the vicinity of this one but doesn't appear to make choices, just sort of hangs out around the first dog, maybe for company.

So I think there are multiple factors at play.

My dog prefers to be attached to me but if not he likes to lie in doorways or on top of the stairs so he can keep an eye on things. He likes to sit with his head on the back of the sofa by the window watching the world go by or in a sun spot by the dining room patio doors. Sometimes he takes himself off to lie on any of the bed or out into the garden for a sunbathe 🥰. Lucky thing, I wish I was a dog!

Guarding. Absolutely. Dogs often pick a spot where they can see/ hear/ know all that’s going on in the house. And they don’t need to be specific breeds. All dogs who love their owners guard.

Dogs like to be in the middle of things.

Mine is an expert in air circulation so, when it's hot, we all look for her to know where are the fresh spots 😍

I think there are specific spots that are good for watching out for the family, too 🙏

Equidistant between the fridge and the cooker.

Mine seems to choose mainly on sight lines. In the daytime he lies in the hallway between the two rooms if there are people in the kitchen and in the living room, on the front door mat (view of stairs) if his people are in the living room and upstairs and he will only lie on his bed in the kitchen if there is cooking or eating going on.

At night he likes the sofa or the living room rug. He alternates between the two which is why I would not like to crate him. On hot days he lies under the dining room table.

Many of his favourite spots are very much in the way but good luck with trying to move him.

For him it’s definitely about watching/ guarding
We rented a holiday cottage with a big sweeping staircase once and he chose the middle landing there
In the evening he will only move to the living room (which he prefers) if no-one is left in the kitchen. If I work late at the kitchen table and DH is watching TV in the living room he feels he has to stay in the hall even though he will huff about it and occasionally come and tell me to stop.

Oh yes, the landing.

There’s usually at least one draped on there, tail helpfully spread over two steps.

And, oh! the looks you get when the clock changes!

Ah this is very interesting thank you! Funnily enough he's not one for lying in the sun (he's a CKCS, although we keep him groomed short) so often a hot boi in the sun. It must be about being able to see/hear everything in the house.

Although today he has deviated slightly from directly outside the kitchen door to one foot to the right, allowing unobstructed passage into the kitchen for once!