A good night’s sleep is essential for all dogs, especially puppies. While your little four-legged friend is taking a nap, he works hard to become a big, healthy dog. To give your puppy the sleep he needs, it’s important to create a nice, safe place for him to sleep.
How Long Does a Puppy Sleep?
Just like children, puppies need plenty of sleep. Raising a puppy is much the same as raising a child in many ways. Just like for babies, it is important to establish a day/night rhythm for your puppy. The amount of time a puppy sleeps depends on its age. The younger the puppy, the more hours of sleep it will need per day. For a newborn puppy, 90% of the day is spent sleeping, which equates to 22 hours a day. As puppies grow, their sleep time becomes shorter. However, puppies can sleep or nap for 15 to 20 hours a day, even at three months.
Why Do Puppies Sleep So Much?
It may come as a surprise, but when a puppy is sleeping, his body is working. The development of the brain and central nervous system depends on these naps and strengthens muscles and bones. This is why your little four-legged friend needs to become an active and healthy dog. Sleep also helps to balance the immune system. If your puppy does not get enough sleep, he will become irritable and destructive. Additionally, there is a risk of infections and illnesses.
Here are some tips to help your puppy sleep through the night:
1) Familiar Scents
The first night with a new family can be very exciting for your puppy. So, ask the breeder, foster home, or shelter where your puppy was born to lend you some toys, towels, or blankets. These things will smell like the puppy’s mother/siblings and previous stays. By keeping these items near your puppy before bedtime, he can carry the familiar scent with him, which will help him relax and unwind to sleep better.
2) A Place of His Own
Environmental sounds are not desirable for a puppy to fall asleep. This is also one of the main reasons why puppies do not sleep as well as they should. The solution? Provide your puppy with a safe place where he can relax and sleep. If your puppy is still small, you may want to purchase a lovely puppy crate. This will give him a safe place to sleep undisturbed. As he gets older, he can lie down in the basket. All you need is for your four-legged friend to sleep safely and undisturbed.
3) Keep the Puppy’s Crate Closed
For the first period, it is an excellent idea to let your puppy sleep in his crate. This way, you will be able to give him his own place to rest and sleep safely and undisturbed. It is better to start this as soon as your puppy comes to live with you. Close the door to your puppy’s crate as soon as it’s time for bed. This will make it clear to your four-legged friend that it is time to sleep and not go on an adventure. A puppy crate can also help speed up the potty training process. Your puppy won’t naturally soil the seat and won’t make a mess or damage the whole house. Potty training is also a valuable life skill that your dog will need at some point in his life.
4) Staying Hydrated
If your puppy is thirsty before bedtime, give him a little to drink. Try to avoid excessive drinking one hour before bedtime. This will allow enough time for him to empty his bladder before bedtime.
5) Final Round
When puppies are outside, they can become distracted by what they see, smell, and hear. This can cause them to forget why they are outside. Before going to bed, take the puppy out for a “last round”. Give the puppy the time to do its business. This is because an empty puppy will sleep much longer than one with a full bladder.
Let us know if these few tips have helped you in the comments below!