Puppy Sleep Patterns: How Long Should They Nap In Your Bedroom?

how long puppy sleep in bedroom

Puppies are a lot like human babies – they need plenty of attention and patience as they learn and adjust to their new surroundings. One of the first things your puppy needs to learn is a sleep schedule, and this can be a challenging process for new owners. Puppies need a lot of sleep – anywhere from 12 to 20 hours per day – and it's important to make sure they get the rest they need. This paragraph aims to introduce the topic of how long a puppy should sleep in the bedroom and will explore the different factors that can influence this duration.

Characteristics Values
How long should a puppy sleep in your room? Depends on the owner. Vets and dog training experts recommend until the puppy is potty trained (around 4 months).
How long do puppies sleep? 12-20 hours per day.
How to prepare a puppy for bed? Create a routine. Feed the puppy 3 hours before bedtime. Take a walk and play gently 1 hour before bed. Put the puppy in the crate to sleep.
How to help your puppy sleep through the night? Crate training is useful. Make sure the puppy is comfortable. Use a crate cover to block out light. Take the puppy out for a last-chance potty break.

shunshelter

The benefits of crate training

Puppies sleep a lot—between 12 and 20 hours per day. It is recommended that for at least the first few weeks, their crate is placed in your bedroom so they don't feel alone in a new home. This also makes it easier for you to take them out for a potty break during the night.

Crate training is a vital part of bringing a dog of any age into your home. Here are some of the benefits of crate training:

Provides a Safe Space

Dogs have a natural 'denning' instinct, and crates can provide a haven for your dog when they're feeling stressed or tired and need some downtime.

Helps With House Training

Dogs and puppies don't like to do their business in their den. Therefore, a crate is handy for teaching your dog bladder and bowel control.

Makes Travel Easier and Safer

Car travel is safer when your dog is in a crate. It allows them to feel more comfortable and secure on longer trips and prevents them from distracting the driver. Crate training also makes it easier to transport your dog by air.

Easier Vet Visits

If your dog ever needs to stay overnight at the vet, they will be less stressed if they are used to being in a crate or kennel.

Limits Damage in the House

Crate training can help limit destructive behaviour by satisfying your dog's instinct to be in a den while also alleviating problems for you.

Quicker Evacuation

In an emergency, having a crate-trained dog makes evacuation easier. Your dog will be more relaxed with their blankets and toys, and having them secured reduces the chance of them getting lost or injured.

shunshelter

How long puppies sleep

Puppies need a lot of sleep—anywhere from 12 to 20 hours a day—and sleep plays a crucial role in their development. During sleep, a puppy's body develops at a rapid pace, with their nervous system, brain, immune system, and muscles all growing.

Sleep by Age

Very young puppies will sleep constantly, except when they are nursing. From 8 to 12 weeks old, puppies should get 18-20 hours of sleep per night, and this sleep schedule persists until about 20 weeks of age. After this, sleep time is reduced to 13-15 hours. As puppies get older, they alternate between sleeping and bursts of energy.

Naps

Puppies may nap every hour or so, sleeping from 30 minutes to as long as two hours. This is perfectly normal, and all of this sleep is essential for their development.

Nighttime Sleep

Puppies between 7 and 16 weeks old can sleep 6-8 hours straight but will still need to take a potty break. After 16 weeks, your puppy probably won't bother you at night.

Sleep Training

Sleep training is important for puppies, and creating a routine will help them know what to expect. A consistent bedtime, a calm and quiet sleep environment, and plenty of daytime play and exercise will all help your puppy settle into a healthy sleep schedule.

Where Should a Puppy Sleep?

It is recommended that puppies sleep in a crate in your bedroom for the first few weeks, as this helps them feel safe and secure. The crate should be comfortable and warm, with soft bedding and perhaps a toy or blanket with your scent on it.

Potty Training

Potty training is a key reason to keep your puppy close by at night, as they will need frequent bathroom breaks. It is important to keep these breaks calm and quiet, so your puppy doesn't get too excited and stay awake.

Most puppies will sleep through the night by the time they are 4 months (16 weeks) old. However, this may take longer, and it will depend on the individual puppy and their adjustment to their new home.

Veterinarians and dog training experts recommend that a puppy sleeps in your room until they are potty trained, which usually takes about four months. However, if you want your puppy to continue sleeping in your room after this, that is also okay.

Benefits of Keeping Your Puppy in Your Room

Keeping your puppy in your room can help prevent disasters, as dogs don't sleep continuously and may get into something they shouldn't if left unattended. Additionally, your puppy can act as an excellent security system, and their protective nature will alert you to any potential dangers.

Crate Training

Crate training is a useful tool for sleep training and potty training, and it helps your puppy feel safe and secure. It is important to stick to your decision about crate training and be consistent, as changing the rules can confuse your puppy.

Transitioning to a Bed

If you decide to transition your puppy to a bed, it is recommended to place a comfortable dog bed in the same place as their crate was located. This helps them adjust to the new sleeping arrangement more quickly and easily.

Puppies need a lot of sleep, and it is important to establish a healthy sleep schedule to support their development. Sleep training, creating a consistent routine, and providing a comfortable and safe sleep environment will all help your puppy get the rest they need.

Why Your Bedroom Door Needs Three Hinges

You may want to see also

shunshelter

Creating a bedtime routine

Feeding

Feed your puppy three times a day, with the last meal of the day at least three hours before bedtime. This gives them enough time to digest and use the bathroom before bed.

Playtime

It is important to give your puppy plenty of mental stimulation and exercise throughout the day, but especially in the evening before bedtime. Spend 10 to 20 minutes playing with your pup a couple of times in the evening. Play a game of tug or get them chasing a flirt pole. This will tire them out and help them get their ZZZs.

Potty breaks

Take your puppy out for a bathroom break right before you go to bed. Keep your voice soothing and your body language slow. This should be a calm and business-like trip, with no interaction or play.

Bedding

Make sure your puppy's bedding is comfortable. Some puppies prefer lots of fluffy towels or blankets, while others like cold, hard floors. If your puppy is prone to shredding or eating blankets, choose bedding that is chew-proof.

Crate training

Crate training is incredibly useful and has many benefits beyond nighttime sleep. It is important to work on crate training during the day and not just at night. Feed your puppy all their meals in the crate, and place them in the crate for regular naps during the day. Make the crate a comfortable and appealing place to be. Line the bottom with a soft, inexpensive blanket. You can also put a toy or baby blanket that smells like their mother in the crate.

Routine

Establishing a bedtime routine will help your puppy know what to expect. Take them for a walk and have a final, gentle playtime about an hour before bed. Once you put your puppy in the crate to sleep, either go to sleep or pretend to. If you are still up and active, your puppy will want to join you.

Last thoughts

Remember that your puppy is in a new home, away from their mother and siblings. Those first few nights will be scary, so it is important that they learn from the beginning that they are safe and not alone. A scared puppy will have trouble falling asleep.

shunshelter

How to prepare a puppy for bed

Create a Routine

Creating a routine will help your puppy know what to expect and when. Puppies thrive on routine and structure, so it's important to be consistent with their bedtime routine. Make sure your puppy has had its last meal of the day at least three hours before bedtime to give it enough time to digest and go to the bathroom before bed.

Take a Walk and Play Gently

About an hour before bedtime, take your puppy for a walk and have a gentle play session. This will help tire your puppy out and make it more likely to be ready for sleep when it's time.

Set Up a Comfortable and Cozy Sleeping Space

Your puppy's sleeping space should be comfortable and cozy. Line the bottom of its crate with a soft, inexpensive blanket. You can also add a dog bed with raised sides to make your puppy feel cradled and protected. If possible, put a blanket or something with your scent in the crate to provide extra comfort. Make sure any bedding is washable in case of accidents.

Provide Toys and Comforters

There are toys designed to mimic another dog, such as the Snuggle Puppy, which can provide comfort to your puppy as it adjusts to its new home. You can also include safe chew toys to keep your puppy occupied if it wakes up before you. Avoid including any toys that might encourage your puppy to view bedtime as playtime.

Stick to the Routine

Once you've established a bedtime routine, it's important to stick to it. Your puppy will learn what to expect and when, which will help it adjust to its new sleeping schedule. Be prepared for some whining, barking, or howling as your puppy settles into its new routine.

Be Prepared for Interruptions

Just like human babies, puppies may not sleep through the night initially. They may need a potty break or some reassurance if they're feeling scared or anxious. If your puppy cries, comfort it gently and quietly. Don't interact with it in a way that will excite or encourage playful behaviour.

Establish a Consistent Bedtime

Try to get your puppy into a recurring routine by going to bed at a consistent time. This will help reinforce its circadian rhythm and make it easier for your puppy to fall asleep at the same time each night.

shunshelter

Where a puppy should sleep

Bringing a puppy home is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming. Just like a newborn baby, puppies sleep a lot—up to 20 hours a day!—and they need a lot of attention and patience while they adjust to their new surroundings.

The First Few Nights

A puppy's first nights in a new home can be scary, as they are in a new place, away from their mother and siblings. It's important that they feel safe and not alone, so it's recommended to keep their crate or bed in your bedroom for at least the first few weeks. This will help them feel secure and adjust to their new sleeping environment.

Crate Training

Crate training is a useful way to sleep train your puppy and can also aid with potty training. The crate should be a comfortable, warm, and quiet place for your puppy to rest undisturbed. It should be properly sized for your puppy, with enough space to move around but not so large that they feel insecure.

Line the bottom of the crate with newspaper or waterproof pads to soak up any spills or accidents, and add soft, washable bedding. You can also add a blanket or toy with your scent on it to provide extra comfort.

Creating a Routine

Establishing a bedtime routine will help your puppy learn that nighttime is for sleeping. Take your puppy for a walk and have a gentle playtime about an hour before bed. Make sure they have eaten their last meal at least three hours beforehand, so they have time to digest and use the bathroom.

Potty Breaks

Puppies need frequent potty breaks, especially during the night, as they have small bladders and don't want to soil their sleeping area. Take your puppy out for a bathroom break as late as possible before you go to bed, and then again if they wake up during the night.

Where to Put the Crate

Place the crate in a quiet corner of your home, away from general noise and disturbances. The kitchen corner is often a good choice due to easy-to-clean floors. If you have other dogs, put the puppy's crate in their sleeping area so they can get accustomed to being together.

When to Move the Crate

Veterinarians and dog training experts recommend keeping the puppy's crate in your bedroom until they are potty-trained, which usually takes about four months. However, if you want your puppy to continue sleeping in your room after this, that's okay too.

Benefits of Keeping Your Dog in Your Room

Keeping your dog in your bedroom can help strengthen your bond, reduce potty accidents, and allow you to react quickly to emergencies. It can also provide added security, as dogs will naturally protect and alert you to any signs of danger.

Transitioning to a New Sleeping Space

When your puppy is older and fully potty-trained, you can transition them to a new sleeping space if desired. Place a comfortable dog bed in the same place as their crate was located, so they can easily adjust to the new sleeping arrangement.

Final Thoughts

Remember, the most important thing is to ensure both you and your puppy get a good night's rest. With love, patience, and a consistent routine, your puppy will be on their way to a great sleeping routine.

Frequently asked questions

Puppies need a lot of sleep, anywhere from 12 to 20 hours per day, depending on their breed, age, and activity levels.

Many veterinarians and dog training experts recommend that puppies sleep in your room until they are potty trained, which usually takes about four months. However, if you want your puppy to continue sleeping in your room after this, that's okay too.

Allowing your puppy to sleep in your room can help you react to emergencies quicker, such as if your dog gets something stuck in its throat or suffers a seizure. It can also strengthen your bond and reduce potty accidents, as well as provide an excellent security system.

Sleeping with your puppy can disrupt your sleep schedule and make it harder for both of you to get a good night's rest. It can also increase the potential for your puppy to develop separation anxiety and exhibit more demanding behaviours.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment