How to get your dog to sleep? Dogs or any pets are just like human babies, and getting them to sleep is undoubtedly an experience. Sleeping looks like the easiest thing in the world. After all, how hard could it be to do something that so many others in the world seem to do so naturally? Who would not love to wake up in the morning with the feel of that ‘perfect and happy sleep?’ A night of good sleep goes beyond the usual bedtime, and waking up in the morning routine. All the above happy-feel-lines go for the humans as well as their dogs. Dogs that are not trained well or exercised properly will have trouble sleeping at night.
Sleep is essential in the general growth and health of a puppy. A good amount of sleep contributes to the brain, immune system, muscles, and other organs. Generally, dogs with high energy levels won’t sleep at night. Therefore, dogs need to be trained and taught to relax at night. Some dogs that suffer from anxiety also may have trouble sleeping. Luckily, making your dog sleep is not as tricky as it may sound. By implementing the proper exercise, routine, and diet, you can help your dog get the right amount of sleep.
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Reasons Your Dog Doesn’t Sleep at Night
Adult dogs sleep for around 12-14 hours a day with overnight sleep of 8 hours. Before exploring how to get the dog to sleep quickly, we should also know why the dog doesn’t sleep. For example, a puppy might be awake at night because it will be in the training process. But when an adult or senior dog has trouble sleeping, that’s when the antennas should rise. So let’s find out what is causing them sleepless nights.
They May Need Bathroom Trips
In such cases, never hesitate to lift yourselves from the bed and take your puppy to pee or piss. Also, offer a small treat once the dog relieves itself and goes back to sleep.
In a Mood to Play and Full of Energy
This happens when you don’t exercise your dog enough during the day leading to not being tired enough to sleep.
Tries to Get the Attention
Whenever your pup wakes up, never cuddle or play with them. This will mislead the dog and get into the habit whenever it needs attention.
Anxiety, Stress, and Fear
Often, the dogs don’t get comfortable with the environment or sleeping positions, leading to anxiety, stress, and fear. And eventually gets deprived of sleep.
Doesn’t Know to Relax
Most dogs tend to be alert and guarding, and they hardly relax. But with proper exercise, training, and routine, they can be taught to relax and sleep on their schedule.
When you own a pet dog, please observe its behavior pattern. Know the difference between whether the dog doesn’t sleep at all or doesn’t sleep at night. Spend time with the dog to know whether it wants to seek attention or suffers from any stress or anxiety. Knowing your dog will solve the problems and prevent many other issues from arising in the future.
Dogs have a polyphasic sleep cycle, much like the rest of us. Dogs take numerous daytime naps, which means they sleep multiple times throughout the day. Grown-up dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day, so if you notice them napping during the day, it is unlikely they will sleep for 8 hours at night. At the same time, you cannot prevent your dog from resting while at work. However, there are ways to encourage them to doze off before bed.
Step 1: Have a Routine for Diet and Exercise
Set up a routine for your dog, which helps the dog know when to sleep and eat. Always take them to walk at the same time every day. Make sure to save some time walking your dog before leaving to work and after returning home. Also, feed your dog before bedtime as this helps in digestion and a good night’s sleep. Also, train your dog to relieve itself before going to bed so that you need not wake up at early hours.
Step 2: Give the Dog Enough Exercise
Most dog breeds have a high energy level and need plenty of exercise. Any dog needs a minimum of 30 minutes to a maximum of 2 hours of training per day. Enough level of activity will tire the dog and will help to sleep. A 20-minute walk before bedtime is beneficial for a soundless and good sleep of both the owner and the dog.
Step 3: Keep a Separate Bed for the Dog
Never practice with the dog sleeping alongside on your bed. Instead, train your furry friend to rest in its bed and at the same time every day. This will give an undisturbed sleep routine for the dog and improve the sleep quality.
Soft blankets and a bed in his crate can help your dog curl up and enjoy a cozy sleep. In addition, provide crate training to your pet for better results of making your dog asleep.
Tip: Crate your puppies and dogs next to you so that they do not feel left out
Step 4: Comfortable Sleeping Environment
Always make sure the dog is comfortable with the environment. A comfy, soft bed and a warm blanket will make your dog sleep. Calming music or a clock’s ticking sound will quickly help the dog drift off. Make sure to dim the light and avoid excess outdoor noise.
Step 5: Medical Conditions
Check out any underlying medical conditions if your dog struggles to sleep and get a proper sleeping position. Visit the vet if there are any changes in their behavior, appetite, and sleeping patterns. The appropriate medication can help them have adequate rest and sleep. Various supplements and chewable calming treats also work in getting your dog to sleep. Few Supplements that might help the dog to sleep are:
Composure: This chewable treat includes l-theanine, colostrum, and thiamine. Composers help to calm highly stressed dogs.
Quiet Moments Calming Aid – Includes Melatonin and I-tryptophan, which helps calm the dogs and get a restful sleep.
Adaptil Collar: The collar releases Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP), a synthetic version of the hormone the mother dog releases during nursing. It gives a calming effect for all dogs of all ages.
Rescue Remedy: The ingredients include flower extracts and are a homeopathic treatment. This formula helps to relieve pet stress.
Activities for Physical and Mental Stimulation
Adequate activities make a puppy or a dog happy. A tired puppy is always a good puppy. A dog needs enough physical and mental stimulation activities, which helps them get proper sleep. There are a few tips to keep them busy and not bored.
Puzzle Toys: Puzzle toys are a great way to keep your dog mentally stimulated and occupied. Just pour the food into the toy, and they spend hours playing and trying to get the food.
Canine games: Various canine games will exhaust the dogs mentally and physically. This helps the dogs tire out and not get bored and thus helps in their sleep routine.
Running: Apart from walking, running is another great way to meet energy levels. Taking your dog along for jogging will help in physical stimulation and thus gets your dog to sleep soundly.
Sniffing: Sniffing is one of the natural traits of dogs. Sniffing truffles will help the dog to get tired and thus give them a sound sleep.
Treibball: This is a fun sport that helps your dog’s instinct of herding and chasing. This is a great workout that tires the dog both physically and mentally. This leaves them no choice but to sleep at the end of the day.
Another exciting way to get your dog to sleep is massaging. A good massage is a great way to fall asleep for humans and dogs. Massaging your dog helps soothe the sore muscles and drift the dog off to sleep. A relaxing massage also helps to relieve stress and anxiety, which gives trouble in sleeping.
A Relaxing ambiance and scents while massaging add more comfort and help in better sleep.
Good exercise will tire the dog. Then, a tired dog will just lie down and get the massage before drifting off to sleep.
A good evening massage relaxes and softens the sore muscles and improves sleep quality.
Ensure to massage the dog during the evening and in his bed only not to have to wake up and move to his spot.
If the dog has dry and itchy skin, an evening massage with coconut oil helps relax and sleep better during the night.
The scents of the essential oils like lavender oil also help greatly to relax and sleep after the massage.
Pro Tips
Make sure your dog is tired and gets enough exercise.
Feed the dog early in the evening.
Use an appropriate bed. Keep the room warm and comfortable.
Finish off the playing and other activities by dusk before bedtime.
Take the dog for a walk, once before sleeping.
Always turn off all the lights.
Make sure the dog has no ticks and fleas.
Play soothing music.
Final Thoughts
Every dog parent must have gone through this phase of getting your dog to sleep. Do not be overwhelmed by the thought of sticking to a timetable. You will be rewarded with a happy, well-adjusted dog, and you will also grow to love the routine. This is a perfect moment to form a lifelong bonding and affection.
