The concept of “a tired dog is a good dog” has truth to it...until he/she becomes over tired! Puppies and dogs tend to make poor decisions, show a reduction in impulse control, and may even become less patient and/or cranky (growl, nip, or “act out”) due to lack of sleep/rest.
Keep training sessions short at home! Take breaks in between by playing fetch or tug.
If your pup has been playing at the Dog Park, or was engaged with another dog for an extended period of time, encourage lots of rest once you return home!
Try to balance physical activity with mental stimulation activities! Remember, playing games and making your dog think can be just as exhausting!
Allow your pup time to interact with friends and family during parties and gatherings, but be mindful that this can be very over-stimulating for him/her (especially young puppies/dogs!) Crating your dog, or allowing him/her to take breaks from your guests, will help recharge his/her energy and encourage positive behavior choices after a nice long rest!
If your pup attends Doggy Daycare, check with the owner to see how often he/she is involved in playtime.Short sessions of playtime, throughout the day, will allow for positive interactions with other dogs and keep your pup happily tired.
Even the most active pups need lots of rest! Adult dogs typically sleep 12-14 hours per day (8 of those hours usually occur at night,) while puppies need closer to 16- 18 hours per day.
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