How Much Sleep Does My Puppy Need?
The amount of sleep puppies need differs based on factors such as age and activity level. Younger puppies typically need more sleep than older ones, and active puppies may need more rest to recharge after a play session. However, there are general rules of thumb that you can follow when it comes to sleep requirements.
Very young puppies need to sleep most of the day to support brain development. In most cases, puppies up to eight weeks old will sleep between 18 and 20 hours per day. However, every dog is different.
Some puppies may sleep slightly more or slightly less, but they should still be resting around three-quarters of the day.
At 12 weeks, a puppy will still be sleeping for the majority of the day. Most puppies will continue their pattern of sleeping 18 to 20 hours per day, though some may start staying awake for longer hours.
When puppies this age are awake and alert, they tend to be incredibly energetic. It’s good to encourage healthy activity levels, as they encourage deep sleep afterward.
As puppies approach the six-month mark, they will likely start sleeping less. While your dog won’t sleep as much as it did as a young puppy, it won’t be on an adult sleep schedule yet either. Most dogs this age sleep between 16 and 18 hours per day.
Fully mature dogs require between 8 and 13.5 hours of sleep per day.
There is no set time you should put your dog down to rest. Puppies can and will fall asleep at any time of day. However, it’s important to take your own sleep schedule into account when training your puppy.
It’s a good idea to ensure that your puppy’s waking hours align with your own. Since puppies are only awake four to six hours out of the day, it’s easy to schedule their sleep routine around your own availability.
It’s also a good idea to plan your puppy’s sleep around their feeding routine. Puppies have small, sensitive stomachs and can’t handle much food at once, so they require multiple meals throughout the day. Puppies under eight weeks old typically need four feedings per day, while those under 12 months need at least three.
You should wake your puppy at the same time each day for mealtimes. It’s also a good idea to include a play session if possible. Most people choose to feed their puppy once in the morning, afternoon, evening, and night.
By waking up your puppy for a total of four to six hours each day, you can help to ensure that it will sleep soundly throughout the night. Always stay consistent with your routine to support better sleep quality. It sets up a safe, predictable, and anxiety-free environment for your four-legged friend.
How to Help Your Puppy Sleep?
Your puppy needs plenty of sleep each day to promote healthy development. If you find your puppy waking you at night, it may lead to bigger problems down the line. What’s more, a restless puppy will also impact the sleep quality of the rest of your household.
Read on to learn some tried and true ways to encourage puppies to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Why do puppies sleep so much?
Some new dog owners mistakenly believe that their puppy sleeps too much. They purposely wake the pet during the day so that it “sleeps better at night.” Others interrupt sleep for playtime and petting. And I understand the desire to spend more time with your cute little puppy. But keep yourself in check.
Puppies sleep so much for a reason. During puppyhood, their bodies develop at a breakneck pace. It takes a lot of energy for the bones, muscles, and brain (and therefore the nervous system) to develop properly. The consequences of sleep deprivation in dogs can be stress, anxiety, aggression, and other behavioral disorders.
Just imagine, a dog develops in a year like a human develops in 18 years!
Should You Let Your Puppy Sleep in Bed With You?
It’s no secret that sleeping through the night with a new puppy can be almost as difficult as it is with a newborn baby.
Teena Patel, a dog trainer and the owner of the training facility University of Doglando, says puppies wake up so often because they’re lonely for their mothers.
“Puppies are stripped from the natural weaning process and deprived of the bonding that occurs with their mom and littermates. Most rescue organizations [and breeders] don’t have the capacity or resources to keep puppies a long time. They’re usually taken from their mothers at only eight weeks,” she says.
The good news is it’s easier than you think to get your new puppy sleeping through the night. With a little foresight, planning and a commitment to training, you can have your puppy sleeping through the night in just a few days.
Just as you may have rituals such as brushing your teeth or reading to your child before bed, having set routines with your puppy can help prepare him for sleep and give him something positive to associate with bedtime.
If your puppy is wired at night, it could be that he isn’t getting enough stimulation during the day.
“It helps get him aroused and tired and ready to go to bed by stimulating him mentally and physically,” she says. “He’ll be more content and it will help him crash and want to rest.”
She suggests throwing a toy, playing a game of hide-and-seek or experimenting with name recognition where family members form a circle and take turns calling your dog. When he comes to you, reward him with dog treats or his favorite toy.
Playing classical music before and during bedtime can help alleviate whining and anxiety as well as drown out other noise or unfamiliar sounds that may upset or rouse your puppy.
Dr. Carolyn Lincoln, a vet, dog trainer and owner of Play to Behave, recommends “Through a Dog’s Ear,” a musical CD, which is based on the research of the effect of tempo and octave levels on dogs.