The average adult dog needs to sleep for about 12 to 14 hours per day. If you have ever tried to sleep at night when your dog has decided to stay up instead, then you already know how frustrating a dog that isn’t sleeping through the night can be. Thankfully, getting your dog used to sleeping when you sleep at night is fairly easy once you know the proper steps. The following guide will help you find the best way to get your dog to sleep with you at night.
Make sure your dog gets enough exercise during the day
In order for your dog to sleep more soundly at night, they need to use up enough energy during the day to make them tired enough for a long sleep session. If you want your dog to sleep through (or mostly through) the night, you’ll need to make sure they are getting enough walks, play sessions and other exercise during the day.
Have a play session with your dog about an hour or two before bedtime
Your dog will sleep more soundly at night if they released a ton of energy about an hour or two before bedtime. It’s important not to encourage a play session too close to bedtime, as this will simply wind your dog up and may result in them staying up longer throughout the night instead. Playing with them about an hour or two before bedtime will give their bodies enough time to wind down and encourage them to fall asleep at night.
Stick to a bedtime routine to help your dog’s body clock adjust
Just as bedtime routines are important for children, they are important for dogs as well! If you stick to a bedtime routine for yourself and your dog, it will help your dog’s body clock gradually adjust to sleeping through the night. The bedtime routine can include the aforementioned play session about an hour or two before bedtime, having your dog go out for a nighttime walk before bed, and making sure that your dog is tucked in with their blankets and favorite toy in their dog bed. Before long, your dog’s body will begin associating the routine—such as you getting the leash for the last night time walk—with sleep time.
Make sure your dog has a calm and comfortable place to sleep at night
It’s important that dogs have somewhere calm, comfortable and relaxing that they can sleep in during the night. Dogs will not be able to get a good night’s sleep if they are in a high-traffic area—such as in front of the bathroom or near a window with lots of outside noise. Make sure that your dog has a comfortable place to sleep in a quiet part of the house; don’t forget to get them a comfortable dog bed!
Dogs can sleep through, or mostly through, the night; but you need to make sure you do everything you can to help your dog feel sleepy enough to rest at night with you.
