Like us, dogs need their sleep! However, if you haven’t noticed, their sleep schedule tends to be a little different than ours. While we usually stay up all day and sleep consecutively throughout the night dogs tend to sleep sporadically throughout the day. Due to this, they only are in REM sleep for about 10% of each time (in comparison we are in it for about 25%) they are sleeping so it is important that they get to sleep as much as possible to make up for the lack of REM sleep they receive.
The average dog sleeps for about 12-14 hours per 24-hour cycle but that tends to vary between breeds, ages, and size. Puppies require about 18-20 hours asleep because they are so busy exploring new things that they become extra tired! Older dogs and bigger dogs, such as St. Bernard’s and Great Pyrenees, also require extra sleep.
A dog’s sleep cycle affects their mood throughout the day and can affect the way they interact. If they don’t get a sufficient amount of sleep, it can affect how they interact with their puppy friends and can cause them to show anger or violence towards them. It is important for a good night’s sleep in order to create positive pack interactions.
If your dog is having trouble sleeping you can try to help them by getting them a new bed or putting their bed in a more quiet part of the house. Dog’s natural instincts tell them to sleep in quiet dark places. If you provide this type of environment, it is sure to help them catch some needed shut-eye! Another way to ensure your dog is getting enough sleep is to make sure they are getting enough exercise while they are awake; a tired dog is a sleepy dog!
If you think your dog needs more exercise they can join us for our upcoming beach days on Tuesdays and Thursdays or our new Fun and Fit Agility sessions!