What does it mean when they sleep on their side?

Both my boys sleep stretched out when really tired. If it means anything it's that they are relaxed and secure, comfortable to fall asleep like this. I don't think it has much to do with joints since I've seen pups sleeping this way too.
 
My dog is 50-50. Sometimes on her side, all stretched out and sometimes curled up in a ball. Depends on what type of surface she is sleeping on. The couch & crate, she is always in a ball. The floor, always on her side. My bed & her beds are 50/50.

I once read that when a dog sleeps on their side or back, it means they feel comfortable because they're exposing their internal organs, making them vulnerable. A dog curled up in a ball is protecting their internal organs from predators. That's not to say that every time your dog sleeps in a ball, they feel threatened. I'm sure a domestic dog sleeps for comfort, but you probably wont ever come across a wild dog or wolf sleeping all stretched out.
 
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