Sleeping Behavior ?

[quilescrew]

Hello, I have a 2yr old GSD, we got him from a puppy, and he has always slept on the floor in our bedroom at night. He moves around throughout the night but always around the bed. Recently, he started laying in my kids bedrooms at night. He lays in my daughters room and when she falls asleep, he will go into the hallway, between my kids rooms or into my sons room, and wait until they are both asleep, until he comes back to our room. Why do you think this is?

[mwiacek10]

He's making sure his kids are all tucked in. Mine doesn't come to bed until everyone is home.

[Cheerful1]

Joey wakes up around 2AM, pokes me and whines. We used to think he had to go out. We found out that he wants to go downstairs and patrol, then goes back upstairs to bed. He did something similar with his former owners, who have children.

The boy is like clockwork!

I take my bathroom break around it; then put up the thermostat so it's toasty when I get up at 4:30 for work.

[Lilie]

When my boy turned 2 he changed his sleeping pattern as well. Perhaps they are just getting more mature and they want to make sure all is well on the home front.

[brembo]

He's checking up on the kids, his pack ya know? If I don't let Banjo run one last perimeter in the backyard he'll be on ultra-alert all night long, so I let him. If GSDs were people they would be that person that waits till everyone else is settled in and then goes and checks all the locks...twice.

[quilescrew]

Thanks I figured it was a protective thing...it is just amazing to witness.

[Sambuca]

I wouldn't read too much into it. Too often people use "being protective" as an excuse for behavior.

My two year old often wakes me up as he moves from our room to the next bedroom and even the hallway. Maybe it's comfortable for some dogs to move around a bit.
Remember, these dogs aren't programmed soliders from birth always on guard for our protection Lol

[Lilie]

Originally Posted by Sambuca

I wouldn't read too much into it. Too often people use "being protective" as an excuse for behavior.

My two year old often wakes me up as he moves from our room to the next bedroom and even the hallway. Maybe it's comfortable for some dogs to move around a bit.
Remember, these dogs aren't programmed soliders from birth always on guard for our protection Lol

Whereas, it could be the dog is attempting to get away from the heater vents, or perhaps it is more comfortable in the hall and because the dog is now allowed to 'roam' it takes advantage of the freedom.

Your right, I see no reason to ever entertain the idea that a mature GSD would ever feel the need to 'patrol' it's domain. Silly me.

[Sambuca]

Originally Posted by Lilie

Whereas, it could be the dog is attempting to get away from the heater vents, or perhaps it is more comfortable in the hall and because the dog is now allowed to 'roam' it takes advantage of the freedom.

Your right, I see no reason to ever entertain the idea that a mature GSD would ever feel the need to 'patrol' it's domain. Silly me.

So your explanation of "the dog is attempting to get away from the heater vents, or perhaps it is more comfortable in the hall and because the dog is now allowed to 'roam' it takes advantage of the freedom" can't be applied to the original poster's question? You naturally assume the dog is on "patrol" because it's a GSD? If it makes you feel better to assume that everything your GSD does is because it's being protective then go for it!

[Lilie]

Originally Posted by Sambuca

So your explanation of "the dog is attempting to get away from the heater vents, or perhaps it is more comfortable in the hall and because the dog is now allowed to 'roam' it takes advantage of the freedom" can't be applied to the original poster's question? You naturally assume the dog is on "patrol" because it's a GSD? If it makes you feel better to assume that everything your GSD does is because it's being protective then go for it!

Nah, it really doesn't make me feel one way or the other. It could be a varied amount of reasons why a dog would roam through the house at night. Including, but not limited to a need to check the house and it's occupants. Who knows, maybe little Johnnie is having a mid night snack. Or, God forbid, Zombies have broken in and about to consume the entire house hold. Who knows? I'd check my crystal ball, but alas, it broke years ago.

I am just as amazed that every house dog I've ever had, felt the need to check out the home at night once they were a mature dog. With the exception of my little lap dogs who remain happily in bed, snuggled up and warm. I suppose they don't concern themselves with Zombies.