- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Puppies are adorable bundles of energy ready for adventure. In order for them to grow and become healthy adult dogs, they need sleep—and lots of it. But why do puppies sleep a lot, and just how much rest do they need?
“We expect puppies to sleep on average 16-20 hours in a 24-hour period,” says Annie-Mae Levy, a certified dog trainer and behaviorist at Woofz. “Puppy brains and bodies are developing rapidly at this age, and they need tons of sleep to facilitate this process.”
Along with Levy, we spoke with Alicia Collins, a certified animal care operator and the founder of K9 Activity Club, to learn more about puppy sleep habits and schedules. Here’s what the experts had to say.
Sleep Schedule for Puppies
According to Collins, a puppy’s sleep pattern, also known as a cycle, looks quite different from an adult dog’s sleep schedule.
“Puppies don’t naturally sleep in long stretches at first. Unlike adult dogs, who can stay awake for longer periods, puppies tend to cycle between short bursts of activity and deep sleep,” she says.
This polyphasic sleep pattern means they nap frequently throughout the day. “It’s normal for them to take multiple naps after playtime, meals, or training sessions,” Collins affirms.
Your puppy’s sleep cycle will change as they get older, as seen in the table below. They’ll start sleeping less during the day and waking up fewer times at night, with 16 weeks usually being the turning point where a puppy can sleep through the night.
| Age in Weeks | Total Sleep (Hours) | Daytime Sleep (Hours) | Nighttime Sleep (Hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 4 | 20 – 22 | 10 – 12 | 12 – 14 |
| 5 – 8 | 18 – 22 | 8 – 10 | 10 – 12 |
| 9 – 12 | 16 – 18 | 6 – 8 | 10 – 12 |
| 13 – 16 | 14 – 16 | 4 – 6 | 8 – 10 |
Why Puppies Need More Sleep
Here’s a quick overview of why puppies need more or less sleep based on their age:
- 0 – 8 weeks: Newborn puppies need a lot of rest since they’re rapidly growing. Sleep is imperative for the development of both their brain and body.
- 9 – 12 weeks: Puppies in this stage begin exploring the world around them, socializing, and learning new skills. They still need plenty of sleep after their bursts of activity to help support their mental and physical growth.
- 13 – 16 weeks: During this period, puppies will have more energy and be able to play and explore for longer periods. They’ll need less sleep as they become more independent and active. At 16 weeks, many puppies have grown enough to be able to hold their bladders overnight.
- 17 – 20 weeks: Puppies will continue to need less sleep as they become more physically capable. However, sleep is still crucial for their muscle recovery and continued growth.
- 21 – 24 weeks: Puppies will have longer periods where they’re active and alert. Plenty of sleep is still important, though, as puppies are approaching puberty and are going through hormonal changes.
- 25 – 27 weeks (6 months): Around this time, puppies start shifting into more adult-like behaviors and sleep patterns. For many breeds, growth has significantly slowed down, so their sleep is more about recovery and maintaining energy levels.
Image courtesy of Elizabeth Holbrook
How To Create a Nap Schedule for Your Puppy
Since puppies won’t get all the sleep they need at night, daytime naps are essential. Creating a puppy nap schedule can help ease sleep stress for both you and your pup.
“Puppies thrive on predictable schedules for meals, play, and sleep,” explains Collins. This is especially important when you’re in the throes of potty training your pup. When you feed your pup will affect when they need to go to the bathroom, and they’ll also likely need to go potty shortly after waking up from a nap.
When creating a nap schedule for your puppy, professional dog trainer Levy recommends altering it to fit your schedule and your puppy’s needs. “Ideally, shape this into what works for your routine as opposed to letting the puppy nap when they naturally would,” she suggests.
Sample nap schedule
Generally, for every hour your puppy is awake, they should sleep two hours. Below is a sample sleep schedule you can try to build with a pup under six months.
- 6 a.m. Wake up/morning activities
- 7 a.m. 1st nap
- 9 a.m. Active
- 10 a.m. 2nd nap
- 12 p.m. Active
- 1 p.m. 3rd nap
- 3 p.m. Active
- 4 p.m. 4th nap
- 6 p.m. Active
- 7 p.m. 5th nap
- 9 p.m. Active
- 10 p.m. Bedtime
Setting up a sleep area for your puppy
Make sure you’re also creating a safe and cozy space for your pup to nap and sleep. Ensure your pup has a comfy bed, blanket, or crate in a quiet, distraction-free area of your home. You can even create a cue for when it’s time to go to that special area and sleep.
When to get help
If you have a busy work or school life, consider booking a pet sitter to drop in and take care of your puppy throughout the day. That way, you’ll be able to get what you need done, and your pup will still be able to have a predictable routine, ensuring they’re getting enough activity and sleep.
