Puppies' Sleep Patterns: Daytime Naps And Nighttime Sleep

Puppies require a lot of sleep, usually between 18 and 20 hours a day. This sleep is essential for their development and growth, allowing their bodies to build muscle, bone, and tissue, as well as supporting brain development. Puppies are also very active when awake, so sleep is a great way to recharge their batteries.

Puppies have very different sleep patterns from adult dogs, and their sleep needs change as they grow older. Newborn puppies sleep almost all day, while 2-4 week old puppies need 18-20 hours of sleep each day. From 4-12 weeks, they still need 15-20 hours of sleep, and from 3-6 months, this reduces to 14-16 hours. After 6 months, puppies start to adopt a more adult-like sleep schedule of around 12-14 hours, although this varies between dogs.

Establishing a daily routine, including feeding, walking, playing, and sleeping schedules, is important for a puppy's health and obedience. Puppies should also sleep through the night, and if they are struggling, it is recommended to speak to a vet to rule out any health issues.

Puppies need 18-20 hours of sleep a day for normal mental and physical development

Sleep is also essential for a puppy's cognitive development. When a puppy is awake, it is constantly learning about and absorbing the world around it. Sleep helps them to process, remember and consolidate all this new information.

Puppies are full of energy when they are awake, playing, running around and exploring. All this activity burns a lot of energy, and sleep is the ideal way for them to recharge. Deep sleep is particularly beneficial for growing puppies, as this is when the growth hormone is released, an essential part of their physical development.

Puppies also need a lot of sleep because they are getting used to being away from their mother and littermates. This can be scary for a young puppy, so it is important that they get enough sleep to help them adjust to their new environment.

It is important to establish a daily routine for your puppy, including regular habits for eating, playing, going to the toilet, going for walks and sleeping. This will help them to get into a rhythm and understand that there is a time and place for everything. It will also help them to develop good sleeping habits and ensure they get enough sleep to support their growth and development.

Lack of sleep can cause stress, anxiety, aggression and other behavioural issues

Puppies require a lot of sleep, usually around 18-20 hours a day. This sleep is essential for their development and growth, allowing their bodies to repair and regenerate. It is also important for brain development, helping them to process, remember, and consolidate all the new information they are receiving.

Lack of sleep can cause stress, anxiety, aggression, and other behavioural issues. Just like in humans, a lack of sleep can negatively affect a puppy's nervous system, causing various issues. If a puppy is overtired, it will not learn as well, and its ability to make correct choices will be impaired. For example, an overtired puppy may chase excited children, jump up, or mouth. Behaviour will only get worse in an over-tired puppy and will take time to unlearn.

If a young puppy (under around five months old) has too much play and exercise but not enough sleep, its body will produce adrenaline to cope with the demands and stress. If adrenaline builds up over several days, the stress hormones will take much longer to get rid of, and you may end up with a frantic puppy biting anything that moves. Neither the puppy nor the family will be able to relax.

Therefore, it is crucial to establish a daily routine for your puppy, including feeding, walking, playing, and sleeping schedules. This will help your puppy get the rest it needs and prevent any negative consequences of sleep deprivation.

Puppies need a routine to help them understand there's a time and place for everything

Puppies require a lot of sleep, anywhere from 12 to 20 hours per day, depending on their age and breed. They have very different sleeping patterns from adult dogs, and a consistent routine is essential to help them understand there's a time and place for everything.

A routine will help your puppy know what to expect and what behaviour is expected of them. It will also help them get into a rhythm and understand that there's a designated time for eating, playing, going to the toilet, and sleeping.

• Create a designated sleeping space: A properly sized crate is useful for sleep training. Your puppy will soon learn to associate this space with rest and quiet time. It also helps with potty training, as they will learn to hold their bladder until they are taken outside.
• Establish a bedtime routine: By creating a consistent bedtime routine, you reinforce the idea that nighttime is for sleeping. This includes restricting food and water intake a few hours before bedtime, having a final playtime and a walk, and then settling them into their crate for the night.
• Make their sleeping area comfortable and cosy: Ensure their crate is a warm and comfortable space. Include soft, washable bedding and perhaps a blanket or toy with your scent on it to provide comfort and security.
• Stick to a schedule: A sample daily schedule for a puppy might include designated times for feeding, play, walks, and naps. For example, after a walk and playtime, they will likely be ready for a nap. Puppies may nap every hour or so, sleeping for 30 minutes to two hours at a time.
• Recognise their sleep cues: Puppies can only stay awake for about an hour at a time, so it's important to recognise when they are getting tired. An overtired puppy may exhibit undesirable behaviours, so guide them to their sleeping place and encourage them to wind down.
• Allow for undisturbed sleep: Just like human babies, puppies need uninterrupted sleep. Let them sleep as much as they need, and avoid interrupting their sleep for playtime or petting.
• Provide a quiet space: If your household is busy and noisy, consider creating a quiet space for your puppy to nap. They may need someone nearby until they fall asleep.
• Be consistent: Consistency is key. Stick to the routine as much as possible, and your puppy will soon learn the expectations and develop healthy habits.

A puppy's sleep schedule will vary depending on its breed, age and daily activity

A puppy's sleep schedule will vary depending on its breed, age, and daily activity.

Age

The amount of sleep a puppy needs depends on its age. Newborn puppies (0-2 weeks) sleep almost all day, around 90% of the time. From 2-4 weeks old, puppies start to become more active as their eyes begin to open, but they still need 18-20 hours of sleep each day. As they continue to develop, from 4-12 weeks old, puppies need 15-20 hours of sleep each day. At 3-6 months old, puppies will start sleeping less, requiring 14-16 hours of sleep per day. Beyond 6 months old, puppies will start to move towards a more adult-like sleep schedule, sleeping around 12-14 hours each day. However, this varies between different dogs, with some adult dogs sleeping up to 18 hours a day.

Breed

The amount of sleep a puppy needs can also depend on its breed. For example, a Rottweiler puppy at 14 weeks old may still need an hour awake/two-hour nap schedule, while a puppy of a different breed at the same age may only need mandatory 2-hour naps in their crate.

Daily Activity

A puppy's daily activity level will also impact its sleep schedule. Puppies that are very active during the day may sleep more to recharge their energy levels. Additionally, creating a daily routine that includes scheduled playtime, feeding, and walking will help your puppy develop healthy sleeping habits.

Sample Sleep Schedule

Morning

• Take the puppy outside to go potty
• Feed them breakfast
• Take them outside again to relieve themselves
• Spend 30-60 minutes playing, socializing, and taking a walk
• Put the puppy down for a nap, which may last from 30 minutes to two hours
• Take them outside again when they wake up

Afternoon

• Give the puppy a potty break after lunch
• Play and explore with them for up to one hour
• Put the puppy down for another nap
• Take them outside for a bathroom break when they wake up
• Engage in playtime again
• Put the puppy down for another nap if needed
• Take them outside for another potty break

Evening

• Feed the puppy dinner before you sit down or give them a stuffed chew toy to enjoy in their crate while you eat
• Take them for a walk after dinner
• Allow them to spend time playing and interacting with family members
• Give them a quick bathroom trip before bed and settle them into their crate for nighttime sleep

A puppy's crate should be a comfortable, quiet and safe place to sleep

Puppies need a lot of sleep, anywhere from 12 to 20 hours per day. They are growing and developing quickly, and their bodies need downtime to repair and regenerate. Sleep is also essential for cognitive development, helping them to process, remember, and consolidate all the new information they're receiving.

A puppy's crate should be a comfortable, quiet, and safe place to sleep. It should be properly sized, with a soft, warm blanket or a bed with raised sides so the puppy feels cradled and protected. The crate should initially be placed in your bedroom so the puppy feels safe and close to their family. You can also put a blanket or toy with your scent in the crate to provide extra comfort. As the puppy gets older, you can gradually move the crate to a more quiet and out-of-the-way spot.

It's important to establish a bedtime routine and stick to it. This will help your puppy develop a recurring bedtime ritual and reinforce the idea that nighttime is for sleeping. Take your puppy for a walk and have some gentle playtime about an hour before bed. Make sure they have eaten their last meal at least three hours before bedtime to give them enough time to digest and use the bathroom. Once you put your puppy in the crate, try to keep noise and activity to a minimum so they're not tempted to stay awake.

During the day, puppies may need several two-hour naps, depending on their age. It's a good idea to provide a quiet place for daytime napping, especially if your household is busy and noisy. You can gradually adjust the bedtime to suit your lifestyle, as long as your puppy makes up the sleep at other times.

Remember, a well-rested puppy will be a happy and healthy puppy!

Frequently asked questions