Whether you just brought a new puppy home or are looking to add a new addition to the family, it’s important to get them established with a proper sleep cycle. Sleep is important, especially for young puppies. Without proper sleep, your puppy may experience behavioral issues, immune system dysfunction, or lethargy. So, how much do puppies sleep by age?
The first year of a puppy’s life is filled with lots of changes, unlike a human’s. They go from the comfort of their siblings and mother to a brand new family, learn the ways of the world, and grow to their full adult sizes. Keeping your puppy happy and healthy includes allowing them to have a healthy sleep schedule, which depends upon their age.
Generally, you can expect your puppy to sleep anywhere from 18 to 20 hours a day from eight to 18 weeks. After that, your puppy will develop more of an adult sleep cycle. Proper sleep is crucial for their development and health.
That being said, there’s a lot to know about sleep when it comes to your puppy. Here’s everything you need to know about how your puppy will sleep from week to week and month to month, from start to finish.
Before you scroll down this guide, “How Much Do Puppies Sleep by Age,” check out: Why Does My Dog Sleep On Me? (2023) and Why Do Dogs Sleep With Their Bum Facing You? (2023).
Eight Weeks
Around the eight-week mark, your puppy will be just fully weaned off their mother and will begin to settle into their new home. At this age, your puppy is still small (even if they’re a larger breed) and are just now beginning to understand the world around them. This is where potty training, socialization, and house training begin.
At eight weeks, expect your puppy to sleep anywhere from 18 to 20 hours a day. It’s critical that your puppy gets enough sleep at this formative stage in their development, as it will inform their behavior and social skills. Without proper sleep, your puppy may develop medical or behavioral issues.
10 to 12 Weeks
At this age, your puppy is just now beginning to get settled into their new life. They’ll start to get to know the people around them and other animals in the house. They’ll begin to feel comfortable. Not much changes between 8 and 10 to 12 weeks. Your puppy will still be motivated to eat, drink, and play.
Of course, sleep is important during this phase of your puppy’s life as well. Expect them to sleep between 18 to 20 hours during these few weeks as well. They’ll begin to learn boundaries as they continue to better understand themselves and the world around them.
14 to 16 Weeks
Between 14 to 16 weeks, your puppy may become fearful while they continue master potty training and commands. They might be afraid of new people.
Socialization is key during this period, so regular trips to the dog park and frequent outings are recommended. However, check with your veterinarian about vaccines and immunity before taking your puppy out.
Sleep during this phase can calm your puppy’s nerves and make them less reactive to the world around them. Make sure they get around 18 hours of sleep for optimal brain development and immune system function.
16 to 18 Weeks
This is where your puppy’s development begins to take off. They’ll begin to display the full spectrum of emotions and will start to take commands and potty training seriously. This is where habits are truly formed. They’ll begin to grow rapidly and will start teething, making playtime and exercise essential.
At this phase, your puppy will need 14 to 18 hours of sleep. Proper sleep will allow them the chance to practice holding their urine and bowel movements. Crate training is recommended during this phase if you decide it would be good for your dog.
After 18 weeks, your puppy will more or less be able to hold their bladder and bowels, will be receptive to commands, and begin to adopt an adult sleep cycle of 12 to 14 hours daily.
Why Puppies Need a Lot of Sleep
Now that we’ve established how much a puppy sleeps by their age, it’s important to know why puppies need a lot of sleep. Sleep is important for many living beings, but especially puppies!
They’re Growing
Dogs grow at a rapidly fast rate, which means they need more sleep to help them grow. This includes their body, yes, but also their brain. When your puppy sleeps, they’re processing the world around them. Did your puppy play too hard with your older dog? Maybe they learned a lesson that they’ll internalize while they sleep.
A dog’s brain is a complex organ. It’s responsible for thinking, learning, and behavior. Without sleep, your puppy won’t develop as well cognitively. While your guests may want to play with the darling new addition to your family, it’s best to let them sleep in the meantime.
They Need to Recharge
Sights, sounds, and smells, oh my! As your puppy begins to explore and learn the world around them, they need time to properly rest, relax, and recharge. Puppies are often touted for being energy monsters. However, it’s important for them to exhaust all their energy so they sleep properly.
When your puppy is awake and playing, they’re building big, strong muscles and bones. If they don’t rest after they use those muscles, they won’t grow as big and strong. Allowing your puppy a chance to recharge is critical for their development.
Sleep Energizes the Immune System
Without sleep, the immune system suffers. This is true for most living beings, but especially puppies. They need their immune system to function optimally, especially since puppies aren’t considered fully vaccinated until they’re about one year old.
Vaccinations are key to a healthy and happy life for your puppy, but they need sleep for their immune systems.
Additionally, the immune system continues to grow and develop over time. Sleep allows the opportunity for a puppy’s brain, immune system, and body to grow. Without it, your puppy may have issues fully developing.
How to Improve Your Puppy’s Sleep
It’s now no secret that puppies need a lot of sleep. With all the ways that sleep is so essential for your puppy’s development, you might find yourself wondering how to improve their sleep for optimal growth.
Here are our top tips on how to improve your puppy’s sleep, that are suitable for each phase of their life.
Create a Cozy, Quiet Space
One of the most important decisions you’ll make for your puppy is where they’ll sleep. Whether you choose a crate, x-pen, a separate room, or the bed with you, your puppy will need a cozy, quiet space that allows them to sleep peacefully. It’s best to have them close to you, whether on the floor or in a crate, so they’ll feel safer.
Set up a designated place with lots of blankets, pillows, mats, or toys. This will allow them to sleep comfortably while being close to you, so you both have your own space. It is recommended to let your puppy have their own space, so their sleep cycle doesn’t affect yours.
The more you both sleep, the better you’ll both function, leading to success. Aim to keep the space darker with limited distractions for optimal sleep.
Provide Food and Water
Food and water are essential for most species, but especially dogs. Healthy food and proper hydration feed your puppy’s growing body, brain, and immune system. Additionally, a healthy diet allows your puppy to have more energy while they’re awake. This means they’ll play harder and sleep even better!
Make sure you’re feeding your puppy actual puppy food, as puppies have different nutritional needs than senior or adult dogs. If you’re confused about what food to buy for your puppy, consult with your veterinarian.
They’ll be able to provide quality recommendations. Also, keep water at the ready, as hydration fuels their organs and connective tissues so they’ll grow smart and strong!
Don’t Neglect Potty Breaks
As a general rule of thumb, expect that your puppy will have to go potty every two hours or so.
This can be frustrating in the middle of the night, but it’s imperative that your puppy gets established with a solid schedule during the day. It can help keep them on track with potty training and minimize any accidents around the house.
There is a chance that you may wake up several times throughout the need during the first few weeks of your life with your puppy. If you simply can’t get up during the evening, avoid crating them and set up an x-pen with potty pads. This will help make clean-up easier and will teach them about designated spots to go potty.
Keep a Routine in Place
Don’t just set up a sleep routine for your puppy — keep them on a steady routine when it comes to playing, eating, going potty, and sleeping!
Setting up a routine for your puppy can help them normalize their sleeping patterns. Try by integrating sleep at certain hours of the day after key times of eating, playing, and going potty.
Schedules may vary, which is why it’s important to establish a routine that you can be consistent with. Routines help reduce anxiety. This is important as your puppy begins to learn the world around them.
Frequently Asked Questions
While it’s best that your puppy goes to bed around the same time every night, there’s not a solid recommended time for them. Generally, aim to put them to bed around the same time that you go to bed.
Puppies begin to sleep through the night at about four months. This varies, but generally expect the same around four months.
At seven months, your puppy will need anywhere between 12 to 14 hours of sleep daily.
Yes, expect your puppy to sleep anywhere from 18 to 20 hours at 3 months old.
Try not to ignore your puppy’s cries at night, as they might need to go to the bathroom.
Yes, if you’re aiming to successfully potty train your puppy, take them out at night.
Your puppy will begin to sleep through the night without peeing at about four months old.
Conclusion for “How Much Do Puppies Sleep by Age”
Your puppy should sleep between 18 and 20 hours a day from eight to 18 weeks of age. From then on, your puppy will develop a more regular sleep cycle as grows older and ultimately enters adulthood.
If you find this guide, “How Much Do Puppies Sleep by Age,” helpful, check out:
- What Can I Give My Dog to Sleep At Night? (2023)
- Why Does My Dog Sleep by the Door? 8 Reasons. (2023)
- Why Does My Dog Cover Her Face While Sleeping? (2023)
Learn more by watching “How to Get Your Puppy to Sleep Through The Night? 4 Simple Tips” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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