16/05/2026
😴 Sleep and rest time 💤
We know how important it is for us humans to get enough sleep and how it can impact our moods when we don't get enough.
But it's something that a lot of people don't even think about when it comes to their dogs.
Adult dogs need around 14 hours of sleep per day, young puppies need 18-20 hours per day and senior dogs are usually in between those, needing around 16 hours per day.
Sleep is vital for health and regeneration of cells, as well as brain function.
We've heard about the over tired toddler - the one who is hyperactive, running around, screaming or crying and being reactive to things.
It's the same for dogs, especially puppies!
Witching hour - that time of day, usually around 7pm, where chaos ensues. Usually there's barking, zoomies, chasing and biting.
All signs of an over tired, over stimulated puppy/dog.
That is when it's time for rest. Chill out sessions, not exercise sessions.
🛏
Some dogs struggle to self regulate and put themselves to bed. They're always on, or seem wired. They usually are go, go, go.
People usually say it's because they're a working breed like Kelpies, Border Collies, German Shepherds etc.
But it can happen with any type of dog, purebred or mix.
These dogs need help with being shown when, where and how to rest.
Most of the time these dogs don't need additional exercise, they need good quality resting time and exercises that calm the nervous system, lowering arousal.
Crate training is very helpful to teach a dog when to rest. When conditioned and trained correctly, a crate becomes the dogs safe place, a den or 'bedroom'. If you didn't want to use a crate, a quiet area of the house or yard can also work.
Ensuring your puppy or dog gets adequate sleep and rest time each day is key to reducing the likelihood of those not so great moments of chaos.
Mental enrichment, genetic fulfilment and physical exercise are also incredibly important but don't overlook those moments where your dog needs to rest!
