讀後心得

Sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night, I find my dog walking around the house, like a little sentinel keeping watch. This is the guardian instinct at work. Dogs' ancestors were pack animals, and they would be vigilant to ensure safety. Even modern pet dogs retain this gene, and they may patrol at night to confirm the environment is safe. Many dogs choose specific locations to guard, such as the doorway of the bedroom or by the window, to detect any unusual situations and protect their owner at the first moment. If a dog is frequently moving around or barking at night, it may be due to anxiety or environmental disturbances, so it is advisable to check if their sleeping environment is quiet and safe. In summary, while you are sound asleep, your dog quietly takes on the role of the night watchman, demonstrating their love and sense of responsibility for you.

Sometimes when waking up in the middle of the night, one may find the dog quietly moving around the house, even sitting at the door or by the window like a little sentinel on guard. This behavior actually stems from the dog’s innate guarding instinct; they see themselves as the "faithful guardians" of their owner. The ancestors of dogs were social animals, and there were always members responsible for keeping watch in the group to ensure safety. Even today’s domestic dogs still carry this genetic awareness of vigilance. They may get up at night to walk around, listen to sounds, and sniff the air, returning to rest only after confirming that their surroundings are safe, as if conducting a "night patrol."

Some dogs even choose specific locations to squat and keep guard, such as the bedroom door, entrance, or by the window, because these places allow them to "control" the entry and exit of the home. This is not merely out of curiosity; they believe that this way they can detect "unusual situations" at the first opportunity to protect their owner from disturbance. However, if a dog frequently moves around at night, appears anxious, or keeps barking, it may be due to anxiety, restlessness, or disturbances from external noises. In this case, it is advisable to check if their sleeping environment is quiet and safe, or if the lack of sufficient daytime activity is causing excessive wakefulness at night.

In general, while you are sound asleep, your dog may silently take on the role of the "night watchman," which is both an expression of their love and a demonstration of their sense of responsibility. They may not be able to express this in words, but those footsteps may be telling you: "Sleep easy, I’m here!"