You’ve done plenty of research on puppy care, but your little furry friend still acts like a whirlwind? Let me introduce you to a highly underrated puppy care tip — enforced naps.
Puppies, much like babies, can become fussy and irritable when they’re tired. Without a set rest schedule, they might not just lie down when fatigue hits; some will keep going until they’re completely worn out.
This is where enforced naps come in. By encouraging regular rest periods throughout the day, you can help regulate your puppy’s energy levels. The best part? After about a week, your pup will get used to the new nap routine, making life easier for both of you.
So, let’s explore the ins and outs of enforced naps for dogs and why they’re so beneficial, especially for puppies.
What Exactly Is an Enforced Nap?
In simple terms, an enforced nap is when you help your dog get the sleep they need. It involves encouraging your dog to settle down and take a nap. While it might sound like a chore, it’s actually a positive step for puppies who haven’t learned to calm themselves and relax on their own.
Not all puppies have a natural “off” switch. If they don’t get enough rest during the day, they can become cranky and difficult. Enforced naps teach them the importance of recharging, which many puppies need help with — especially when they’re in a new home, surrounded by exciting things to explore and stimuli.
Signs Your Puppy Needs a Nap
Does your puppy sometimes turn into a little maniac, ignoring all commands? Chances are they’re overly tired. When exhausted, puppies often act out in various ways, making training nearly impossible.
Some dogs get more vocal when tired, others might show a bit more aggression than usual, and some become extra mischievous. As you spend more time with your new pup, you’ll learn their personality and recognize when they’re extra fussy — those are the times a good nap can work wonders.
Think about how you feel after a poor night’s sleep — irritable, anxious, maybe frustrated. Puppies experience the same. A well-rested puppy is far more likely to be a happy one.
Sleep is a basic need, but not all puppies settle down when tired. Some keep going past the point of exhaustion because the world is just too exciting. That’s where we, as their caregivers, step in: we need to teach them healthy sleep habits.
The Advantages of Enforced Naps
Teaching your puppy to settle down and nap at specific times each day helps establish a routine. This routine can reduce many common puppy problems caused by being overly tired and stimulated.
How to Implement Enforced Naps for Your Puppy
The first rule of enforced naps is to make them a positive experience. Just like celebrating successful potty breaks, you want your puppy to see rest time as something good.
Picking the Right Spot
If you’re crate training, the crate can serve as their rest area, but any quiet spot works. Trying to make your puppy settle in a busy living room with kids running around is setting them up to fail — every movement will look like an invitation to play.
If you work from home, a corner of your office with a comfortable dog bed could be a good choice. The key is to pick an area with minimal noise and visual distractions.
How Many Naps Does Your Puppy Need?
There’s no strict rule for the number of naps, as it depends on your schedule and your puppy’s needs. Dogs typically sleep 12-14 hours a day, so daytime naps won’t interfere with their nighttime sleep.
With my own puppy, we did three naps daily: one after breakfast, one after her afternoon walk, and one in the evening after dinner. These were the times she tended to get unruly, so adding naps helped calm the chaos.
Encouraging Your Puppy to Nap
I’m a big advocate of using Frozen Kongs (Kong toys filled with frozen treats) to keep dogs occupied, and that’s what I used to encourage my puppy to settle for naps.
I’d call her over to her bed, have her lie down, and give her a frozen Kong. Like magic, the Kong would keep her busy for 10-15 minutes until she drifted off to sleep.
After a while, she knew the routine and would head to her bed on time, ready for her Kong nap. For food-motivated dogs, any long-lasting chew or food toy is a great way to encourage them to settle down.
Do Adult Dogs Need Enforced Naps?
If you’ve adopted an adult dog, they might or might not need help learning to settle and nap. It really depends on the individual dog. Some adult dogs already know how to relax when tired, while others don’t.
If your adult dog struggles to settle or relax on their own, enforced naps can be beneficial. Learning to settle is a valuable skill, helping them get the rest they need and understand that relaxation is part of a healthy routine.
Helping a new dog adjust to your home often involves creating quiet, safe spaces where they can relax — this is based on the same idea as enforced naps: ensuring your dog gets enough rest and relaxation throughout the day.
How Does Your Dog Behave When Sleep-Deprived?
How does your pup act when they’re exhausted? Do they become untrainable? Get into more trouble than usual? And most importantly — how much better did life get once your dog learned to settle on their own? Feel free to share your experiences.
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