Does your dog whine all night? Can you not get your puppy to fall asleep? You have come to the right place.
If you are a parent, you know how difficult it can be to put your little one to sleep. Similarly, dogs love to play with their owners throughout the day and especially at night. Although it may seem fun at first, the last thing you want is to wake up in the middle of the night because your puppy is acting out or restless.
If this wasn’t strange enough, the weirdest thing about these energy-filled four-legged creatures is that you might see them running around the house for one moment, and in the other, they may have fallen soundly asleep in the hallway. Depending on the breed and age, an adult dog requires at least 12 to 14 hours of sleep. Whereas old dogs and puppies need to sleep for 18 to 20 hours in order to stay healthy, active, and fit. Read on to learn the seven ways to establish your dog’s sleep schedule.
1. Get Your Dog Moving
When it comes to dog sleeping habits, a tired puppy is a blessing. This is because if your dog isn’t getting enough sleep during the day, it might be restless at night. Thus, the best way to tire out an energetic dog is to take it on a walk or play with it for 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the breed or size. While many pet owners recommend taking the dog on a long walk at night, you can simply exercise your dog any time of the day. Just make sure you give your dog the rest it needs one hour before bedtime. Some fun activities you can try with your dog include Flyball, Rally, and NoseWork.
2. Train Your Dog to Sleep in a Crate
According to studies, 63% of dog owners who share their beds with their beloved canine experience poor sleep. In addition to the obvious sleep disruption due to your dog’s movement and barking, sleeping with your four-legged friend in the same bed also increases the risk of asthma, allergies, and skin infections. No matter how eager your pup is to sleep with you, consistent tossing and turning will make them uncomfortable as well.
Thus, training your pet to sleep in its crate is essential to maintain your dog’s sleep schedule. Purchase a crate for your dog and place one or two cozy blankets with your pup’s favorite toys. To make sure that your dog doesn’t consider the crate as a punishment, always use the words “kennel” and “crate” in a positive context and give your pup a treat whenever it sleeps in the crate at night. Remember that crate training is as important as potty training for dogs.
Bonus Tip: Make your dog more comfortable by turning off the lights at bedtime and caressing their hair as they fall asleep.
3. Establish a Bedtime Routine
Creating a routine and following it is imperative to set your dog’s sleep schedule. You can do this by playing, feeding, walking, and putting your dog to sleep at the same times every day. This will make it easier for the pup to predict what will happen next, making them feel safer and reducing their anxiety. Hence, your four-legged companion will fall asleep smoothly.
When putting your dog to sleep, make sure to take them for the final bathroom trip. Doing so will remove your pup’s urge to go to the bathroom during the night, ensuring a calm night for you and your furry friend. No matter your schedule, make sure to stick to your dog’s routine, even on weekends.
4. Give Your Dog a Calming Supplement or Treat
If your dog is suffering from anxiety, ask your vet to prescribe an all-natural soothing supplement or treat to help your pup relax and fall asleep. If you don’t want to rely on supplements, give your dog something to chew at bedtime, such as a toy or pup bone.
5. Be Prepared for Lots of Bathroom Breaks
Until your pup is at least 10 months old, it will be impossible for them to go through a night without going to the bathroom. To establish your dog’s sleep schedule, restrict their water and food two hours before bedtime and take them to the bathroom before putting them to sleep. However, if your puppy is small, be mentally prepared to wake up every four hours for a potty break.
6. Prioritize Daytime Naps
A lesser-known fact about dogs is that, like infants, it is harder to fall asleep with an overly tired mind. Therefore, please don’t make the mistake of forcing your pet to stay up all day long, believing that this will help them sleep at night. Instead, provide your dog time to play and a comfortable place to nap whenever tired.
7. Check Your Dog for Health Complications
A dog owner can tell if something’s wrong with their pet. In case your dog isn’t sleeping at night, there is a high chance that an underlying medical condition is to blame. Monitor your pup’s ability to walk and their appetite. While eating less signifies a stomach illness or diarrhea, limited mobility may indicate a bone or muscle problem. If you haven’t noticed any symptoms, but your dog is more restless than usual, take it to the veterinarian for a checkup.
Looking for Dog Boarding Near La Quinta?
Whether you are going on a business trip or a weekend getaway with your loved ones, The Grand Paw is the best animal hostel La Quinta. The luxury pet boarding facility is designed keeping in mind the needs of dogs of all breeds, ages, sizes, and social preferences.
Our luxury suite features velvet curtains, French doors, plush bedding, a flat-screen TV, and a cozy living room with pillows for dogs who want to be treated like royalty. The glass-front door cabanas are the perfect home for pups who love to socialize or want attention all the time. So, what are you waiting for? Contact us to reserve a La Quinta dog boarding suite for your four-legged companion.
Recent Comments