Mary Allen
Whether your puppy gets enough sleep has a decisive influence on its development. With our tips, he will sleep enough in the future.
Especially people who buy a puppy for the first time are amazed at how active the little one is. It often seems as if puppies hardly ever sleep: they are constantly dashing around, are curious, and never seem to get tired.
Is that a reason to worry? Or does the dog know its natural need for sleep and will rest once exhausted?
This is an important question because it is particularly important for young dogs to get plenty of sleep at night and during the day. During this time, the puppy refuels. At the same time, in the hours of rest, he can process what he has experienced so far. This is also important for healthy development.
To ensure that everything goes as well as possible with your fluffy new arrival, we have collected the most important information on the subject of sleep in puppies here. Have a look and your puppy will soon be sleeping well and healthy.
How much sleep do dogs need?
You’ll be amazed when we tell you that the average adult dog needs up to 20 hours of sleep a day.
With puppies and sick or old animals, it is even more: They sleep up to 22 hours a day – and that is completely normal.
That may seem like a lot to us humans, but you don’t have to worry about it. Because not only a really deep sleep but also the nap in between, dozing on the terrace and cuddling with the master or mistress on the couch or in bed ensure that the puppy or even older dog can relax and recharge their batteries.
If you observe different dogs throughout the day, you will see that they rarely sleep really deeply. Dogs usually doze off in a slightly dozing phase. And that’s perfectly healthy too.
The puppy sleeps too little: what to do?
However, if you, as a dog owner, notice that your puppy is not sleeping enough – whether during the day or at night – you can definitely do something to help your animal roommate sleep better. Because often the circumstances in which puppies grow up could be improved in terms of sleep.
So be sure to change something if you notice that the puppy is not sleeping enough. It may be nice when the little guy with the big paws gets involved everywhere. But the many hours of sleep are really important! When young dog isn’t getting enough sleep, they are at a constant level of stress, which eventually affects their overall well-being negatively. He becomes aggressive and in a bad mood – almost like a child who hasn’t gotten enough sleep in bed at night. That’s why you shouldn’t take it lightly.
The right place to sleep
Set up a place for your dog to sleep where he can really relax. For example, place the basket in a place where people aren’t constantly walking by or where there’s a lot of noise.
A quiet spot in the corner of the dining room or a cozy spot in the hallway is ideal. However, the space in the hallway should not be near the apartment door. Here the dog could get the idea that he has to be careful who enters or leaves the house. This can lead to other problems as you get older.
The puppy can seek company in a suitable place if he feels like it – and otherwise returns to his haven of peace, the basket.
The dog box is a quiet cave
If your young dog cannot be calmed down and seems to be “hyperactive” during the day and maybe even at night, you can often use a trick to calm it down: In addition to the basket, offer it a place of retreat, such as a dog box. He will quickly get used to it and enjoy the time in it. Make this place as cozy as possible for him. Equipped with a soft blanket, it is almost as comfortable as the bed of a master and mistress.
Many dogs can also relax wonderfully while chewing. It requires energy and has a calming effect on the pup. There are chewing articles like the sand by the sea. Just choose a suitable one for your puppy. If in doubt, your veterinarian can advise you.
Have patience and exude calm
Another thing is very important: Don’t be too strict with your young dog. Like young children, dogs are naturally curious and energetic and love to explore the world. For both of them, sleeping just feels like a waste of time that could have been used for new discoveries and experiences. So be lenient if your offspring’s tail wag still finds it difficult to calm down. The more opportunities you give him to exercise and the calmer you are yourself, the better your puppy will sleep.
Make absolutely sure that you don’t get hectic yourself because this will immediately be transferred to your puppy. Here, too, it is the same as with people: Overwhelmed parents, who only run back and forth aimlessly from stress, logically make their children restless sooner rather than later. So if you’re having a stressful day, try to calm down the excitement. And hey, what is the better way to do that than with a little puppy on a lovely walk in the fresh air? Even!
So: let your pup or half-strong dog participate in family life, but also allow him the rest periods during the day and at night when he asks for it of his own accord – then everything usually levels out over time.