Sleeping – what dog (and human) doesn’t love it? While dreaming about all those new impressions, your puppy is quietly processing the day. A good night’s sleep is essential for every dog, and especially for puppies. During all those naps, your little four‑legged friend is working hard to become a big, confident companion. To give your puppy the sleep he so badly needs, it’s important to create a cosy spot where he can rest safely. Here are 10 tips to help your puppy sleep through the night.
10 Tips for Helping a Puppy Sleep Through the Night.
Wat kun je verwachten van de eerste nacht met je puppy?
- Een vertrouwde geur
- Zorg voor een slaaproutine
- Zijn eigen plekje
- Pas de routine aan op veranderingen
- Houd de puppy bench gesloten
- Energie verbranden – spelen maar!
- Hydrateren maar!
- Laatste ronde
- Kauwen werkt kalmerend
- Geduld is een magisch woord
How much do puppies sleep?
Just like babies, puppies need a lot of sleep. In many ways, raising a puppy isn’t so different from raising a baby. As with babies, a solid day-and-night routine is essential for your puppy. How much a puppy sleeps depends on their age: the younger the puppy, the more hours of sleep they need each day. But how much do puppies actually sleep? A newborn puppy spends about 90% of the day sleeping – that’s around 22 hours a day. As your pup grows older, he’ll sleep less, but even at 3 months, your little snoozer will still sleep and doze between 15 and 20 hours a day.
Why do puppies sleep so much?
It might surprise you, but while your little rascal is sleeping, his body is working hard. The development of his brain and central nervous system depends on all those naps. On top of that, sleep helps strengthen his muscles and bones. This is what your little four‑legged friend needs to grow into an active, healthy dog. Sleep also keeps the immune system in balance. If your pup doesn’t get enough sleep, he can become grumpy and destructive, and he’s at greater risk of infections and illness.
What to expect from your puppy’s first night
Your puppy’s first night will probably go in one of these two ways:
- Your little rascal is totally exhausted from all the excitement of the day and falls fast asleep, or;
- Your little four‑legged friend struggles to adjust to the new situation. Moving to a new home with strangers is stressful, even if the first meeting went smoothly.
However that first night goes, these 10 tips will help you build a good routine so your puppy can sleep through the night. The first few days may really test your patience, but in the long run you’ll definitely reap the benefits. As the saying goes: persistence pays off!
10 tips to help your puppy sleep through the night
1. A familiar scent
The first night with his new family can be super exciting for your little rascal. Ask the breeder, foster family, or shelter your puppy came from for a toy, towel, or a small piece of a blanket. These items smell like his mother, siblings, or previous home. By placing them next to your pup at bedtime, you give him a familiar scent nearby. That smell helps him relax, settle, and drift off to sleep.
2. Create a sleep routine
A puppy doesn’t always know when it’s time to sleep. And with so much to discover, curiosity often takes over. That’s why it’s important to build in enough rest moments throughout the day. Make sure your puppy can sleep undisturbed in his crate or bed, without lots of distractions and stimulation around him.
3. His Own Little Spot
Ambient noises make it difficult for your puppy to fall asleep. This is also one of the main reasons why your puppy isn’t getting the sleep he needs. The solution? Provide a cozy and safe place where he can relax and sleep. If your puppy is still small, it’s a good idea to get him a comfortable puppy crate. That way, he’ll have a safe spot where he can rest and sleep undisturbed. As he gets older, your little rascal can also sleep comfortably in a basket. As long as your four-legged friend can sleep safely and undisturbed.
These blankets are perfect for creating a cozy spot for your pup.
4. Adjust the routine to accommodate changes
Just like with babies, your puppy’s sleep pattern involves a bit of trial and error. As soon as you think you’ve found the perfect rhythm, a new experience can throw things off again. Keep in mind that your pup may need some extra downtime after a big new experience. That way he can process everything and fully relax.
5. Keep the puppy crate closed
During the first period, it is advisable to let your puppy sleep in a crate. This way, he has his own spot where he can rest and sleep safely and undisturbed. It is therefore good to start this immediately as soon as your little rascal comes to live with you. Close the door of the puppy crate as soon as it is bedtime. This makes it clear to your four-legged friend that it is time to go to sleep and prevents him from going on adventures. Additionally, the puppy crate also speeds up potty training. Your puppy will naturally avoid soiling his spot, and it prevents mess or damage throughout your entire house. Crate training is also a valuable life skill that your dog will likely need at some point in his life.
6. Burn off energy – time to play!
Interactive playtime together is a fantastic way to help your puppy burn off energy. If you can’t manage long walks during the day, try adding some “brain games” for mental stimulation. Just 10 minutes of mental work is equal to about 45 minutes of active play. Many different brain games are perfect for giving your puppy a mental workout. Many of them are great for serving his meals, too. Think of a snuffle mat, a KONG, or a puzzle feeder. Regular dog toys are of course also a perfect way to help your puppy wind down.
7. Hydration matters
If your puppy is thirsty before bed, let him have a small drink. Just try to avoid lots of water in the hour before bedtime. That gives you both enough time for one last toilet break before turning in for the night.
8. One last outing
Sometimes when puppies go outside, they get distracted by everything they see, smell, and hear. They quickly forget why they went out in the first place. Before bedtime, take your puppy outside for one last outing. Give your little rascal time to do his business. Just like with us humans, an “empty” puppy will sleep much longer than one with a full bladder.
Laat je pup uit in stijl met onze wandelcollectie!
9. Chewing is calming
Chewing is a calming activity that most dogs love – and especially puppies who are teething. You can give your pup a biscuit or an edible chew before bedtime, or choose a bone or chew toy instead. Just avoid toys with squeakers; they tend to ramp your puppy’s energy right back up, which is the opposite of what you want. Having a bone or chew toy in his crate also helps keep your little rascal quietly occupied if he wakes up while you’re still asleep.
10. Patience is a magic word
Puppies wake up more often at night than adult dogs. The good news is that your pup will quickly adapt to your sleep schedule. A day full of play and activity, an empty bladder and bowels, and a cosy sleeping spot are the perfect combination. That way you give your puppy the best chance of sleeping through the night so he can dream and grow. Especially in the early weeks, try to stick closely to your routine and be patient. In the end, this will help your puppy sleep through the night because he knows exactly what to expect – and that brings peace and happiness for both of you.
Source for the blog post “10 Tips for Helping a Puppy Sleep Through the Night.”
– Dr. Laci Schaible
– Katherine Eldredge
I’m Denise, the founder of Pawness. The company was born out of my love for my dog, Bo, and my search for fair, beautiful products for dogs. I believe that every choice matters: for your dog, for the planet, and for the people behind the products. Through these blogs, I help puppy parents make more conscious choices—without making it complicated.
