11/10/2026
As I sit and watch Dave sleep, it's got me thinking… ❤️🐾
How often do we stop and think about just how important sleep is to our dogs?
We spend so much time thinking about walks, training, exercise, enrichment and socialisation, but one of the most important things we can give our dogs is something we sometimes overlook…
💤 QUALITY SLEEP AND REST. 💤
Sleep isn't just downtime. It's an essential part of your dog's physical health, emotional wellbeing, learning and ability to cope with the world around them.
🐶 DID YOU KNOW YOUR DOG'S SLEEP NEEDS CHANGE THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFE?
🍼 Puppies need plenty of sleep to support their rapid growth, brain development and learning. The world is exciting, and they can easily become overtired when they have too much going on. An overtired puppy may become bitey, frantic, frustrated or struggle to settle.
🐕 Adult dogs still need substantial rest, even when they appear full of energy. Most adult dogs need around 12–14 hours of sleep and rest in a 24-hour period, although individual needs vary. Some may need more depending on their breed, activity levels, health and lifestyle.
🐾 Senior dogs may need more time resting and sleeping as they age. However, older dogs can also experience disrupted sleep due to discomfort, pain, changes in mobility or age-related cognitive changes. Changes in sleeping patterns shouldn't simply be dismissed as old age.
💭 SO, HOW DOES SLEEP AFFECT BEHAVIOUR?
Sleep plays a vital role in how dogs process experiences, learn new information and regulate their emotions.
When a dog isn't getting enough quality sleep, we may notice:
▪️ Increased frustration and irritability. ▪️ Reduced impulse control. ▪️ More difficulty concentrating during training. ▪️ Increased sensitivity to noises, people or other dogs. ▪️ More reactive responses to everyday triggers. ▪️ Difficulty settling and switching off. ▪️ Increased mouthing, jumping or frantic behaviour, particularly in puppies.
Sometimes, what looks like a training problem may be made worse by a lack of rest.
A dog who is struggling to cope doesn't always need more exercise or more stimulation. Sometimes, they need us to take a step back and give them the opportunity to rest.
💤 BROKEN SLEEP ISN'T THE SAME AS QUALITY SLEEP.
Imagine trying to get through your day when you're constantly being disturbed every time you start to drift off.
Our dogs can experience something similar.
Frequent interruptions from household activity, children, other pets, visitors, noises or being repeatedly moved can prevent them from getting the uninterrupted rest they need.
Even if your dog appears to sleep throughout the day, it's worth considering whether they're genuinely relaxed and getting quality sleep, or whether they're constantly waking to monitor what's happening around them.
Dogs who struggle to feel safe or comfortable in their resting space may find it difficult to fully switch off.
Provide a quiet, comfortable place where your dog can rest without being disturbed. For some dogs, this may mean a bed in a quieter room or a safe resting area away from the hustle and bustle of family life.
❤️ PLEASE, LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE.
This is such an important message, particularly for families with young children.
When dogs are asleep, we should avoid touching, cuddling, climbing over, startling or deliberately waking them.
A sleeping dog may wake suddenly and react defensively if frightened. This can happen even with a normally gentle, loving dog. It's a natural response, not a sign that they're being naughty.
Teach children to admire sleeping dogs from a distance and to leave them alone when they're resting.
If you need to wake your dog, use your voice gently from a distance and allow them time to wake up fully before approaching them.
Never allow children to enter a dog's bed or resting space to disturb them.
🐾 WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP OUR DOGS GET BETTER SLEEP?
❤️ Provide a comfortable, quiet and safe sleeping area.
❤️ Allow them to rest without constant interruptions.
❤️ Build rest periods into busy days, particularly for puppies.
❤️ Balance physical exercise and mental enrichment with adequate downtime.
❤️ Watch for signs of overtiredness rather than continually adding more activities.
❤️ Consider whether pain, discomfort, anxiety or environmental factors are affecting their ability to settle.
❤️ Speak to your vet if your dog's sleeping habits suddenly change, they seem unable to get comfortable, or they regularly wake, pant, pace or appear distressed overnight.
❤️ Remember that every dog is an individual. Sleep needs are guidelines, not rigid rules.
🐾 At Ultimutt Dog Training, we look at the whole dog.
Behaviour isn't just about what we teach our dogs to do. It's also about their emotional state, physical comfort, environment, enrichment and whether their needs are being met.
Sleep is a fundamental part of that picture.
So, as I sit here watching Dave snooze away, I'm reminded that sometimes the best thing we can do for our dogs is absolutely nothing at all…
Just let them sleep. ❤️💤
Because a well-rested dog is often better equipped to learn, cope and feel good in their everyday life.
🐾 Ultimutt Dog Training – kind, ethical and fun.
