How Much Sleep Does a Dog Really Need?

Why rest matters more than you think—and what it tells you about your dog’s wellbeing.

We all know how cranky we feel without enough sleep… but did you know that your dog’s behaviour can also be directly affected by how much rest they're getting?

Whether you're dealing with barking, over-excitability, or separation anxiety, sleep (or the lack of it) might be playing a bigger role than you realise.

Let’s take a look at how much sleep your dog should be getting—and why it’s so important.

🐾 How Much Sleep Is Normal?

Dogs sleep far more than humans, and that’s completely natural! Here’s what’s typical for different age groups:

🐶 Adult Dogs (1–7 years)

Average sleep needed: 12–14 hours per day
Most adult dogs sleep overnight like we do, with naps throughout the day. If they’re getting enough mental and physical enrichment, they’ll usually settle well and snooze often.

🐕 Puppies (under 1 year)

Average sleep needed: 18–20 hours per day
Yes, really! Puppies are like toddlers—growing fast, taking in the world, and needing loads of downtime to recover. A tired puppy often needs more rest, not more stimulation.

👵 Senior Dogs (7+ years)

Average sleep needed: 14–18 hours per day
Older dogs tend to slow down naturally, and their bodies and minds benefit from extra rest. Keep an eye out for changes in sleep patterns though—it can be a sign of discomfort or health issues.

🧠 Why Sleep Is So Important for Behaviour

Sleep isn’t just rest—it’s essential for your dog’s emotional regulation, memory, and stress recovery. Without enough quality sleep, dogs may show:

• Increased barking or vocalising

• Jumpiness or reactivity

• Difficulty settling

• Poor impulse control

• General anxiety or irritability

So if your dog is pacing at night, struggling to settle during the day, or seems constantly “on edge,” their sleep (or lack of it) might be a red flag.

🐾 What to Watch For

If your dog isn't sleeping enough, you might notice:

🔹 Frequent waking or restlessness overnight
🔹 Over-the-top excitement at minor things
🔹 Barking at every sound, especially in the evening
🔹 Struggling to nap during the day
🔹 Always needing to be close to you (even in sleep)

These can all be signs that your dog isn’t getting the rest they need, and it’s often linked to underlying behaviour issues like separation anxiety, reactivity, or general stress.

How to Help Your Dog Settle at Night

Simple steps for calmer evenings and more restful sleep—for you and your dog.

If your dog is pacing, barking at every sound, or just can’t seem to relax in the evenings, you’re not alone—and it can be exhausting.

Just like people, dogs need structure, routine, and emotional safety to fully switch off and sleep well. And if there are underlying behaviour issues, like separation anxiety or hypervigilance, sleep often becomes one of the first things to suffer.

So, what can you do to help your dog settle at night? Here are my go-to strategies:

💤 1. Create a Calm-Down Routine

Dogs thrive on predictable patterns, especially when transitioning from “day mode” to “sleep mode.” About an hour before bedtime, start winding everything down.

Try this calm-down routine:

• A short sniffy walk or toilet break

• A gentle massage or calm enrichment (like a LickiMat or stuffed Kong)

• Lower the lights and reduce noise (TV, kids, etc.)

• Settle them in their sleeping space with something comforting

The goal is to help your dog mentally and physically decompress before bed—just like we do.

🧠 2. Meet Their Mental and Physical Needs During the Day

A dog who’s under-stimulated during the day often struggles to switch off at night. On the flip side, too much stimulation (especially without decompression time) can lead to overtiredness and restlessness.

It’s all about balance.

✅ Make sure your dog gets:

• Age-appropriate exercise

• Daily sniffing or foraging opportunities

• Mental enrichment that builds calm focus

• Downtime—yes, rest is an activity too!

📦 3. Use Enrichment to Encourage Settling

Chewing, licking, and sniffing are naturally calming activities for dogs. You can build these into your bedtime routine to promote sleepiness.

Try:

• A frozen Kong with part of their evening meal

• A LickiMat with dog-safe yoghurt, peanut butter or pâté

• A gentle scent game with treats hidden in a snuffle mat or towel roll

These not only tire your dog out mentally—they also trigger relaxation by engaging their natural instincts.

🏡 4. Make Their Sleeping Space Feel Safe

Some dogs need closeness, others prefer space. Pay attention to where your dog settles best, and make that area as comfortable and secure as possible.

Think about:

• Location: quiet, low-traffic areas

• Temperature: not too hot or cold

• Bedding: comfy, clean, and big enough to sprawl

• Sound: consider white noise if external sounds trigger them

And if your dog is struggling to settle because you leave the room? That might be linked to separation anxiety, which can be worked on gradually through behaviour support.

⚠️ 5. Know When It’s More Than a Sleep Issue

If your dog can’t settle—despite routine, exercise, and comfort—it may be more than just a bedtime problem. Issues like:

• Separation-related distress

• Noise sensitivity or fear-based behaviours

• Generalised anxiety or hypervigilance

• Pain or discomfort

...can all lead to sleep struggles.

💬 This is where personalised, 1-2-1 behaviour support comes in. I can help you identify why your dog is struggling to rest and create a step-by-step plan to get things back on track.