If your dog usually wakes you up in the middle of the night, whimpering for you to get out of bed and let him out to go to the bathroom or maybe play a little, then no doubt you’ve asked yourself countless times “doesn’t he realize its 3 am?” Sadly, he does not!
A Dog’s Sleeping Pattern
Dogs follow a polyphasic sleep cycle – this means that they take a lot of day time naps. Adult dogs sleep for an average of 12-14 hours every day. This makes it unlikely for them to rest for eight long hours every night as you do. You can’t control how long your dog naps during the day when you are away at work.
But on the bright side, there are a few changes you can make to teach your dog to sleep all night. So, if your dog’s restlessness at night has interfered with your sleeping patterns, consider using the following tips to help your little furry friend sleep soundly. Check out https://mysleepingdog.com for more tips on how to help your dog sleep better.
How to Ensure That Your Dog Sleeps Well
This is what to do to ensure that your dog gets enough sleep on a daily basis:
1. Set Up a Routine
Consistency is the key to helping dogs learn a particular set of behaviors. If you allow your dog to wake up in the middle of the night every night to go out, he’ll get used to it. It will feel acceptable to go out in the middle of the night if you continuously allow it. To help your loyal companion, set up a routine, and follow it.
You could try walking him/her at the same time every day. Preferably early in the morning before starting your day and in the evening when you get back. Do the same with meals. Feed the dog a few hours before sleep time to make digestion comfortable.
Keep the hour before bed as relaxed as you can. Also, make sure that your dog goes potty before bed so that you won’t have to wake up Later to let him out.
2. Give Your Dog Plenty of Exercise
Exercising your dog throughout the day every day could be the key to an uninterrupted night long sleep for your furry friend – and by default, you too. Depending on the size and breed, Your dog should spend at least 30 minutes to 2 hours exercising every day.
Typically, Large-sized dogs require more exercise than tiny ones.
3. Establish a Bedtime Routine
Always make your dog’s bedtime feel like bedtime so that he/she can know when it’s finally time to sleep. Let him go to sleep in the same bed at the same time every night, in a room with a consistent ambiance, Dim the lights, then put him somewhere warm and fuzzy. Also, include a piece of your item so that your dog feels close to you all the time.
4. Let Your Dog Out Right Before Bed Time
It is easy to get caught up in your routine that you end up taking your dog out for a potty session, and then start your bedtime routine, showering, brushing your teeth, or even getting a late-night snack before hitting the pillow.
To be consistent, always finish your pre-sleep routine first, take the dog out to do their business then immediately get him to bed. This way, you’ll get more rest time before he feels like going out again.
5. Get Your Dog’s Medical Condition Checked Out
If you’ve tried all these, but your dog still has trouble snoozing, you might want to get him checked out for any hidden medical conditions. This is especially if it’s an older dog or it is a dog that hasn’t had such problems before.
Explain any changes with the dog to the vet. Maybe some medication is all he needs to get that good night’s sleep.