How To Make Your Dog Sleep Instantly
Crying, whining, banging, sniffing, and scratching. If your dog is awake, then likely so is the rest of the household. Unfortunately, telling a dog to go back to sleep is not useful at all, so how can you help tire out your furry friend and get them to bed on time?
There are a number of reasons why a dog may be struggling to sleep, and thankfully, there are a number of solutions that you can try.
Let's take a look at a few of them.
Puppies and Seniors
Puppies and senior dogs are the two age groups most likely to suffer from sleep issues.
When a puppy first comes home, it is likely to suffer from some separation anxiety, and being in a new environment may take some getting used to. Take some time to make them comfortable, possibly providing a heat source and blankets to replicate their mother and littermates.
Remember, puppies also have very small bladders. They will need to go to the bathroom after meals and can only hold it in for around an hour for every month of their life.
Meaning that a four month old puppy will NEED to go outside for a toilet break after four hours, even if they peed before bed.
Try to keep a consistent schedule for them so that they know when bedtime is.
Older dogs who used to sleep well but have suddenly started struggling may have underlying health issues. Things such as arthritic pain, stomach/bladder problems, or even canine dementia[1] may make falling and staying asleep difficult.
Get a vet to check out your senior dog to see if they have any suggestions or medication that could help. Otherwise, you may need to change their sleeping arrangements or wake them up to go potty, too.
Providing Enough Exercise
Unsurprisingly, the amount of exercise your adult dog is getting determines how tired they are at the end of the day. Depending on the breed, this could also be a different amount per dog in your home, meaning one is more satisfied and tired at the end of the day than the other.
Dogs that are alone and bored all day are also more likely to have long naps, meaning that they’re less likely to be tired by the time evening rolls around.
Most adult dogs need around 30 min to an hour of walking a day, with some active breeds requiring more than that. If you have a young dog or an active breed, you may need to plan more activities with them. This can also include more playtime or trips, such as visiting a dog park, hiking, or going to the beach.
Mental stimulation is also important.
Humans also fall asleep better after participating in a hobby or outing, rather than just sitting on the computer all day.
Try providing new toys, playing games, or teaching your dog new tricks to keep them mentally active and tire them out. If your dog is stuck inside, you can provide mental stimulation through games such as food hide-and-seek, putting treats in a lick mat, or creating an obstacle course.
Restlessness and Pain
Like senior dogs, adult dogs who seem incapable of getting a good night’s sleep may be suffering from some kind of medical condition.
Even minor ailments, such as upset stomachs, infections, itchy skin, cracked paws, and so on, can cause panting at night, pacing, and restless behaviors. Bladder infections, pregnancy, and stomach upsets can also cause your dog to need to go out more frequently at night.
Dogs can also suffer from things such as sleep apnea, which can cause snoring, disrupt your dog’s breathing, and cause them to jerk awake at night. Dog breeds that are brachiocephalic (flat-faced) can struggle to breathe at night, disrupting your dog’s sleep. Obese dogs are also more likely to suffer from sleep apnea and breathing difficulties.
REM sleep disorder is another possible issue affecting your dog’s sleep. This condition causes your dog to jerk around, cry out, or panic in its sleep. It can seem similar to a nightmare but is often much more severe.
This disorder often needs medication to treat it.
Dogs with traumatic backgrounds, such as rescue or abused dogs, may also be more likely to suffer from more intense nightmares or be anxious to fall asleep.
Sometimes, flea or mite infestations can cause uncontrollable itching, or an allergy may cause an itchy or painful rash or stomach upsets that make it hard to sleep. Check your dog for other signs, such as hair loss, excessive scratching, or bumps on its exposed skin.
Create a Comfortable Sleeping Environment
Dogs might not be as picky as humans, but they do prefer a nice, dark, calm environment to sleep in.
Check your dog’s sleeping environment to ensure there aren’t many lights, noises, or other sleep-disrupting irritants. Provide them with a comfortable dog bed to sleep in, and try to make sure that the environment isn’t too hot or too cold, as temperature extremes can also affect sleep.
Another way to improve your dog’s sleep environment is to keep them off your bed[3]. It may not necessarily be a bad thing, but it can sometimes disrupt both of your sleep, especially if the dog is reactive or has health issues.
Try to feed your dog dinner a few hours before they need to sleep so they have time to digest the food comfortably and go to the bathroom before having to settle.
You can also try crate training by placing a soft dog bed in the crate. Your dog will begin to associate the crate with bedtime, which could aid their sleeping. Try offering them some dog treats while they’re inside the crate so they associate it with a positive experience.
Help your dog sleep better by having a consistent bedtime routine. A routine can help them know that bedtime is coming and help your dog relax and fall asleep faster. This can be a simple thing, such as issuing some commands that it's bedtime, taking them out for one last potty break and helping them settle down.
Any type of consistent bedtime routine is fine, it can even include a last bit of exercise before bed. Also, make sure you give your dog plenty of water in their vicinity so they don’t get dehydrated and anxious.
Another way to get your dog to sleep and provide some anxiety relief is to give them a coat or pair of dog pajamas. These have a swaddling effect like a blanket and can provide some relief. Your dog may also associate them with bedtime and comfort.
If you would like to try out some stylish and comfortable dog pajamas, try Sparkpaws Dog Pajama Onesie Collection. You can find out how to size them correctly here or follow our size guide.
Remember, dogs like routine, so even a minor disruption could throw them out, such as you going out when you don’t usually or having guests over. However, this should typically settle after a night or two.
Try to find a dog bed that is only slightly larger than your dog, and make sure they can lie in it comfortably. It should be in an area without too many disruptions or lights. Some owners have reported that things such as white noise have helped put their anxious dogs to sleep, though this might not work for every dog.
Medication
If you know a disruption is coming, and you have an anxious dog, such as when moving house, try talking to your vet about giving your dog a dog-safe antihistamine. This can help your dog to sleep peacefully as they transition to the new environment or schedule.
Understand Dog Sleep Patterns
Dog sleep patterns may differ slightly from breed to breed. Large breed dogs may need close to 20 hours of sleep, while small breeds need much less.
A puppy's sleep schedule will also require a lot more naps and sleeping than that of an adult dog. This also means your puppy’s schedule will change and regress as they get older. You will find that your 8-month-old pup sleeps a lot less than it did at 4 months.
As mentioned, since dogs only sleep a certain amount in a 24 hour period, if they’re getting all their sleep during the day, then they are less likely to sleep at night. However, be cautious about a dog that tries to nap TOO often as they may have a health concern or not be getting quality rest at night.
So don’t be concerned about some sleep regression. Dogs change their sleep needs a few times throughout their lives, so you will see some changes. Talk to a vet if sleep problems persist for more than a few days so that they can rule out any health problems and advise you on what to do.
Conclusion
There are a number of things that can affect your dog’s ability to fall asleep and their sleep quality.
This can be due to age, as puppies sleep a lot but are more likely to have separation anxiety and low bladder control. Meanwhile, senior dogs may develop arthritis, dementia, or other issues that affect their sleeping.
Adult dogs may also struggle to sleep if they have infections, allergies, or sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, nightmares, or REM sleep disorder. These are often worse for obese or flat-faced breeds.
Try and make sure the environment is a comfortable temperature, your dog has access to water, and their bed is somewhere away from noise and light. You can soothe your dog via crate training, keeping a consistent bedtime routine, or providing them with sleep clothes such as dog pajamas.
Getting more exercise and mental stimulation will help tire dogs out and keep them too busy for long naps. Dogs that are lonely and bored are more likely to sleep during the day and develop behavioral problems.
Most sleep issues should only be temporary, but seek some professional help if your dog has a long-lasting problem.
Happy Walking!
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