Is my dog getting enough sleep?
Sleep, or the lack of it, is something I think about a lot at a the moment.
As a Mom of two little ones, I turn to coffee to get me through my mornings. I listen patiently as my husband recounts how good/bad his sleep was the night before (he wears a ring at night that connects to an app that tracks these things)…I don’t need an app to tell me how I’m doing…my coffee count does that for me.
So far I’m on cup number three - it was a pretty rough night.
The consequence of me not getting enough sleep? I’m cranky, low on patience, and I have a harder time them usual stringing a meaningful sentence together.
If my kids don’t get enough sleep there’s ongoing squabbling, tears, and/or an all out rebellion.
But what about your dog? How does the quality of their sleep affect them?
Thankfully there’s been a lot of research into this topic, and you may find the results surprising.
Did you know that the average dog needs between 12 - 14 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period, and young puppies can need up to 18 - 20 hours.
Not only is sleep vital for health and development, it’s also an important factor when it comes to learning and memory processing - just like us!
A dog who isn’t getting enough sleep can suffer from increased stress and anxiety, and they can be more prone to barking, destructive chewing, and hyperarousal behaviours.
Sounds familiar? My kids may have outgrown the destructive chew phase, but they are not passed the “lets draw on the walls with Mom’s permanent marker while screaming at each other!” phase…especially today.
Dogs (just like kids) need their rest, but what can we do to guarantee that they’ll get enough?
DON’T wait for your puppy to cry it out.
It used to be common to let babies and puppies “cry it out” at bedtime, but this is an outdated practice that can cause prolonged elevated levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) that has been linked to behaviour problems and stress related diseases later in life…not to mention a really bad night’s sleep.
Solution? Help your puppy fall asleep peacefully. Don’t just pop them into their crate or playpen at bedtime, switch the lights off, and hope for the best.
Instead set up a little bedtime routine for them:
Plan to go to bed around the same time each night.
Take your puppy out to potty, then have a little quiet time.
Your puppy would prefer to sleep in your bedroom (in their crate or playpen of course), but if this isn’t possible set them up in the main area of the house - not in the laundry room, or spare room.
Be prepared to spend a couple of nights asleep on the couch. The first few nights in a new home can be the toughest for a young puppy, and having you close at bedtime can really help.
It’s not just puppies who suffer from anxiety. If you have an older dog who cries at night, consider letting them into your bedroom - it can make the world of difference for them, and you’ll get a better night’s sleep.
Create a quiet & safe place for your dog to rest.
You dog needs to sleep for at lest 4 hours during the day, puppies and senior dogs need more, so it’s important that you dog has a quiet place to go - especially if the house is busy.
These are some things to consider:
If there are young children in the home, make sure they can’t get access to your dog while they sleep. Setting up a baby gates, or closing doors is a great safety measure (consider putting a lock on the door if you have a child who can open it).
For dogs who get easily aroused by people or other animals walking past the home, consider setting up a visual barrier. For example installing a frosted window film (really easy to set up), closing blinds, or preventing access to rooms with windows that look out over the street.
Background noise can also be really helpful in creating a “peaceful space”. Leaving a TV or radio on can help muffle sounds that your dog would normally alert to, like people talking outside, vehicles driving by, or family members moving from one room to another.
Diffusing essential oils such as lavender, vetiver or roman chamomile can really make a difference as well, especially if you have a pup who’s prone to anxiety. Just remember to use an oil that’s 100% pure (like doTerra or Young Living), only use 2-4 drops in a water based diffuser, and keep the door to the room open so your pup can leave if they choose to.
Make sure your dog is getting enough downtime during the day.
Does your pup do a full day at Doggie Daycare, or do you have a dog that has a hard time settling when they’re left on their own? How do you know if they’re getting enough rest during the day?
If your dog is going to Daycare make sure they implement a “quiet time”. It can be really hard for a dog to sleep if other dogs are running around and barking. If Quiet Time isn’t something your Doggie Daycare can provide consider only sending your dog for a half-day, or hiring a dog walker instead.
Install a video monitor so you can check on your dog while you’re out of the house. I love the Dog Monitoring App that I have set up between my laptop and iPhone. This way you can see how your dog spends their downtime when you’re not around. Do they snuggle up in bed, or patrol the exits?
If you have a young pup it can be helpful to keep a written log of their daily naps, at least for a little while. This will give you an idea of how much sleep they’re getting, when they need to go for toilet breaks, when they like to play etc. Also if there was a medical emergency this log can be really insightful for your veterinarian.
Something to think about.
The amount of sleep your dog needs will change as they get older. Stiff joints and cold weather can make getting out of bed harder. Some old pups will benefit from having a helping hand onto the couch, others enjoy the luxury of having their own little staircase up onto your bed.
If you do sleep with an old dog in your bed, you may want to consider setting up an extra “dog bed” on top on your duvet. This way, as you both toss ‘n’ turn during the night, you’ll be less likely to disturb each other…and yes, it’s totally okay for your dog to sleep on the bed with you, as long as you’re okay with it :)
Okay, Jack’s nap time is nearly over…time to be a Mom again (and maybe get another coffee).