If you are asking, “Can my dog sleep through the night?” the answer is generally yes, most healthy adult dogs are capable of sleeping through the night once their needs are fully met and a good routine is in place. Many pet owners struggle with why won’t my dog sleep through the night, but there are proven steps you can take to improve your dog’s sleep schedule. Getting your dog to settle down for a long, restful sleep often involves looking at their daytime activity, diet, environment, and overall health. This guide offers detailed ways for helping dog sleep longer and better.
Basics of Canine Sleep Needs
Dogs sleep a lot, but their sleep cycles are different from ours. Puppies need much more sleep than adult dogs. Older dogs also tend to sleep more. A typical adult dog sleeps between 12 and 14 hours a day. This includes naps. A good night’s sleep is usually 7 to 9 hours straight.
Age Dictates Sleep Time
The age of your dog greatly affects how much rest they need. Think about your dog’s life stage when planning for sleep.
| Age Group | Average Daily Sleep Time | Key Needs Affecting Night Sleep |
|---|---|---|
| Puppies (Under 6 months) | 18–20 hours | Frequent potty breaks, high energy needs during waking hours. |
| Adult Dogs (1–7 years) | 12–14 hours | Consistent exercise and mental work. |
| Senior Dogs (8+ years) | 14–16 hours | Potential aches, pains, or cognitive changes. |
Setting Up for Success: The Daytime Foundation
A great night’s sleep starts long before you turn off the lights. What your dog does during the day sets the stage for nighttime rest.
Ensuring Adequate Physical Exercise
Tired dogs sleep better. This is simple but often overlooked. If a dog has pent-up energy, they will look for ways to use it at 3 AM. You need to provide enough physical activity for your dog every single day.
- Type of Exercise: Mix things up. A long walk is good. Fetch is great for high-energy breeds. Swimming works well too.
- Timing is Key: Schedule the most rigorous exercise session late in the afternoon. This allows time for the dog to wind down before bedtime. Avoid intense play right before the final potty break.
- Breed Needs: High-energy breeds like Border Collies or Labs need much more physical work than a small lap dog. Know your breed’s requirements.
Mental Stimulation is Crucial
Mental exercise tires a dog out just as much, if not more, than physical exercise. Bored dogs often become restless dogs at night.
Try these brain games:
- Puzzle Toys: Feed meals from slow feeders or puzzle balls. This makes eating a mental workout.
- Training Sessions: Spend 10–15 minutes practicing new tricks or reviewing old commands. Focus and learning are tiring.
- Scent Work: Hide treats around the house and let your dog sniff them out. Scent tracking is deeply satisfying for dogs.
Establishing Dog Bedtime Routine
Consistency is the magic word in canine sleep training. Dogs thrive on predictability. A set schedule tells your dog’s body when it is time to prepare for rest.
Creating a Consistent Schedule
Decide on a firm time for waking up, feeding, and sleeping. Stick to this schedule, even on weekends.
- Set a Final Potty Break Time: This should be the absolute last thing you do before bed. Make it a calm, short trip outside—no playing.
- Last Meal Time: Feed the last meal of the day at least three to four hours before bedtime. This prevents nighttime stomach upset or the need for an emergency potty trip right after lights out.
- Consistent Bedtime: Aim for the same bedtime every night. Even if your dog wakes you up early sometimes, keep your own bedtime the same.
Calming Dog Before Bed
The hour before lights out should be peaceful. This transition time is vital for calming dog before bed. Avoid loud noises, rough play, or exciting TV shows.
Use quiet activities like:
- Gentle grooming or brushing.
- A short, calm cuddle session on the couch.
- Chewing on a safe, long-lasting chew toy (like a Kong stuffed with peanut butter or yogurt). Chewing is naturally soothing for dogs.
Optimizing the Sleep Environment
Where your dog sleeps matters. The sleeping area should be safe, comfortable, and dark. This directly relates to improving dog sleep quality.
Choosing the Right Bed
A comfortable, supportive bed helps dogs settle faster and stay asleep longer.
- Size: The bed should be large enough for your dog to stretch out fully, but small enough to feel cozy and secure.
- Support: Older dogs or dogs with joint issues need orthopedic foam beds to relieve pressure points. A bed that hurts will keep your dog moving all night.
- Location: Place the bed in a low-traffic area. Some dogs prefer to be near their owners; others do better in their own quiet space, like a crate or a separate corner of the room.
Temperature and Light Control
Dogs sleep best when the room temperature is cool, similar to human comfort levels (around 65–70°F). Darkness helps signal the body to produce sleep hormones.
If your dog sleeps in a crate, cover it with a thick blanket. This mimics a den, offering security and blocking out light fluctuations.
Diet and Hydration Factors
What goes into your dog affects how they rest. Diet plays a big role in dog restless at night solutions.
Meal Timing Review
As mentioned, avoid late-night heavy meals. If your dog drinks a huge bowl of water right before bed, they will wake up needing to go out.
- Limit water intake about two hours before the final trip outside. Ensure they still have access to fresh water overnight, especially in warm weather, but watch the timing of the last big drink.
Food Sensitivities
Sometimes, night restlessness is due to digestive discomfort. If your dog is gassy or seems uncomfortable after eating, talk to your vet about potential food sensitivities. Switching to a high-quality, easily digestible food might reduce midnight discomfort.
Addressing Medical Reasons for Wakefulness
If you have tried all the routine changes and your dog still won’t settle, you must consider health issues. This is often the root cause when addressing dog nighttime waking.
Pain and Discomfort
Many older dogs struggle because of arthritis or joint pain. They may wake up trying to find a comfortable position.
If your senior dog wakes frequently, signs to watch for include:
- Reluctance to lie down.
- Pacing or sighing heavily before lying down.
- Shifting positions often during the night.
Consult your veterinarian. They can offer safe pain management options specifically designed for canine comfort.
Other Health Concerns
Certain conditions can cause nighttime disruption:
- Urinary Issues: Dogs with bladder infections or kidney issues may wake up needing to urinate frequently.
- Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD): This is like dog dementia. Symptoms often include pacing, staring at walls, and increased nighttime vocalization or restlessness.
- Hormonal Changes: Thyroid problems or other endocrine issues can alter sleep patterns.
Never assume night waking is “just old age” without a vet check.
Exploring Natural Sleep Aids for Dogs
For dogs who are mildly anxious or slightly uneasy sleepers, natural sleep aids for dogs can be a gentle first step before prescription medication. Always discuss supplements with your veterinarian first.
Common Calming Supplements
These are often used to promote relaxation, which aids sleep.
- Melatonin: Sometimes recommended by vets for short-term sleep issues or noise phobias. Dosage must be carefully controlled by a professional.
- L-Theanine: An amino acid found in tea. It promotes relaxation without sedation. It is often found in high-quality calming chews.
- Valerian Root or Chamomile: Herbal options used traditionally to calm nerves. Use only dog-specific preparations.
- Probiotics/Gut Health: A healthy gut biome is linked to better mood and less anxiety, which can indirectly help sleep.
Calming Tools and Aromatherapy
Specific tools can help create a den-like, safe feeling that encourages sleep.
- Pheromone Diffusers: Products that release synthetic canine appeasing pheromones (like Adaptil) can signal safety and security to your dog, reducing anxiety that keeps them awake.
- Weighted Vests: Similar to thunder shirts, these apply gentle, constant pressure, which many dogs find reassuring.
Strategies for Dog Insomnia Remedies
When sleep becomes a real battle, you may need to employ specific dog insomnia remedies. These go beyond basic routine setting.
Progressive Relaxation Technique
This technique helps your dog consciously relax their body before settling into their bed.
- Start with your dog lying down comfortably.
- Gently massage one muscle group (like the shoulder). Hold the massage for a few seconds.
- Move to the next group (the opposite shoulder), and repeat.
- Work slowly through the whole body, ending with the paws and head.
- The goal is to teach the dog that physical relaxation leads to rest.
The “Settle” Command Training
Teach your dog a specific “Settle” or “Go to Bed” command. This command means lying down and staying down until released.
- Practice this during the day when your dog is already relaxed. Reward heavily for staying down.
- Slowly increase the duration before giving the release word.
- This trains the dog to remain stationary and calm when instructed, which is helpful when night waking occurs.
Dealing with Nighttime Wakings
When your dog wakes up unexpectedly, how you react determines if it happens again. This is key to addressing dog nighttime waking.
Avoid Accidental Reinforcement
If you immediately get up, give attention, let them out for a long romp, or feed them when they wake up, you teach them that waking up equals a fun reward.
When your dog stirs at night:
- Wait and Watch: Give them a few minutes. Often, they are just shifting positions or checking the environment.
- Quiet Check: If they whine persistently, go to them briefly. Do not turn on bright lights or speak cheerfully. Use a very low, monotone voice. A quick, calm reassurance or a check to ensure they don’t need to potty is all they get.
- Return to Bed Immediately: If they don’t need to eliminate, gently lead them back to their bed and lie back down yourself. No playtime. No treats. The trip outside must be boring.
Managing Separation Anxiety at Night
If your dog is pacing because they need to be near you, this points toward separation anxiety, which worsens at night when the house is quiet.
- Gradual Distance Training: If the dog sleeps in a crate in another room, start by moving the crate closer to your bedroom door each week until it is right beside your bed.
- Safe Chews: Giving them a safe, long-lasting chew right before lights out can keep them occupied and focused on a positive task while they adjust to being separated.
When Medical Intervention is Necessary
If you are genuinely struggling with dog insomnia remedies and your vet has ruled out acute issues, they may discuss prescription options if the underlying cause is severe anxiety or chronic pain that over-the-counter aids don’t touch.
Medication should always be the last resort, used alongside intensive behavioral modification and routine setting. A veterinarian will choose medication based on the suspected cause (e.g., anti-anxiety medication versus pain relief).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does it take for canine sleep training to work?
For simple routine adjustments, you might see improvement within one to two weeks. For behavioral changes related to anxiety or habits, it can take four to eight weeks of absolute consistency. Patience is essential for helping dog sleep longer habits to form.
Is it okay for my dog to sleep in my bed if they sleep better there?
This depends on your comfort and rules. If having your dog in your bed solves the problem and doesn’t disrupt your sleep, it is fine. However, if your dog wakes you up demanding to be let up, or if they get restless in the bed, it becomes part of the problem. It is generally easier to establish good sleep habits when the dog has its own designated, comfortable space.
My puppy cries at night. Should I go to them every time?
For young puppies (under 12 weeks), crying often means they are genuinely cold, scared, or need to eliminate. A quick, silent potty break is necessary. If they are crying purely out of protest or loneliness after you have ruled out potty needs, you must follow the boring routine described above to prevent reinforcing the whining. They need to learn that being alone at night is safe.
What if my senior dog just can’t hold it all night anymore?
For senior dogs with medical reasons making them need to relieve themselves frequently, your routine must adapt. Set an alarm for a scheduled middle-of-the-night potty break before they wake themselves up to go. This preemptive break is often much calmer than dealing with an accident in the house. Always check with your vet regarding fluid intake timing for older dogs.
Can anxiety cause my dog to be restless at night?
Yes, anxiety is a major factor in dog restless at night solutions. Whether it’s separation anxiety, noise phobias, or general nervousness, anxiety causes an elevated heart rate and restlessness that prevents deep sleep. Addressing the anxiety itself, perhaps with behavioral work or natural sleep aids for dogs, is the way to solve the sleep problem.