July 3, 2018
How much sleep does my puppy need?
Puppies need a lot of sleep, usually 15 to 20 hours a day! They might seem like bundles of energy, but sleep is essential for a healthy growth and development.
Establish a sleep routine:
During the daytime you should leave your puppy undisturbed. He’s going to nap several times during the day. You should always encourage him to nap in his safe place: a crate or a bed. If he seems drowsy and ready for a nap, guide him to his crate, bed, or wherever you’ve made his sleeping space. After some time, he will recognize that spot as his safe place.
During the night, always take your puppy out to relieve themselves before going to bed. This will help them fall asleep faster and they’ll be able to rest better.
Although young puppies tend to not sleep through the night, you should still start establishing this routine at an early age. Make sure his bed or crate is clean, so your puppy can feel safe and comfortable.
Through positive reinforcement, you can teach your puppy to love their kennel or crate as their own personal and safe place. The crate/kennel cover will provide privacy and comfort for your pup during his naps.
Hard time to fall asleep?
Puppies don’t always want to go to sleep, but you can follow these tips to help your puppy get the sleep he needs.
- Make the environment sleep friendly: Make sure to give your puppy some quiet time in their crate or bed. Keep any kids in the house from playing with the puppy, so they don’t get too excited and can fall asleep easier. You can also check out some tips from our blog, Is Your Puppy Bored?
- Burn off excess energy: Puppies need plenty of physical and mental exercises. Interactive games or walks around the park are great for letting your pup release energy.
- Patience: Creating a puppy sleep routine takes some trial and error. They will get use to your sleep schedule, although it might be frustrating the first few nights.
Following these tips will help your pup become a well-behaved member of the family!
Keep your puppy active and healthy by checking out our blog: Agility Lessons.
