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.