If your puppy changes from a sweet, playful creature at home into a biting, zooming shark each evening; then, probably, they’re not feral. They’re over-tired. Puppies require an average of 18-20 hours of sleep daily. The majority of puppies do not receive this amount of sleep, due to being too interested in the house.
This puppy sleep planner calculates nap time based on how long a puppy of that age can stay awake. In addition, the planner provides information about what to anticipate during the night.
Puppy Sleep Schedule Planner
How Much Do Puppies Sleep?
| Age | Total sleep per day | Awake stretch | Night sleep |
| 8-10 weeks | 18-20 hours | 45-60 minutes | 2-3 hours between breaks |
| 10-12 weeks | 18-20 hours | About 1 hour | 3-4 hours between breaks |
| 3-4 months | 18-19 hours | 60-90 minutes | 5-6 hours, sometimes through the night |
| 4-6 months | 16-18 hours | 1.5-2 hours | Usually through the night (7-8 hours) |
| 6-12 months | 14-16 hours | 2-3 hours | Through the night |
| Adult dog | 12-14 hours | Varies | Through the night |
That much sleep is typical and essential. Puppies develop, learn and process all the new experiences they’ve had when they sleep. A puppy that does not receive sufficient sleep learns more slowly and has a much shorter fuse.
Signs Your Puppy Is Overtired
- Sudden zoomies, especially in the evening
- Biting hands, feet and clothes harder than usual, and not responding to redirection
- Barking or whining for no clear reason
- Ignoring cues they normally know
- Grabbing and shaking toys frantically
- Can’t settle even though they keep lying down
The cure to a tired puppy is not through additional playtime, but rather calmness. Place the puppy in its crate or pen with a suitable chew toy. Most puppies fall asleep within minutes.
Your Puppy’s First Night Home
For the first several evenings, it’s difficult for both humans and puppies. After leaving their mother and litter-mates, it’s common for puppies to cry. Some things that may assist in helping your puppy adjust to their new environment include:
- Put the crate in your bedroom, or sleep next to it for the first nights. Being close calms most puppies quickly.
- Add something that smells of the litter, like a blanket from the breeder.
- Tire them out with a play and training session about an hour before bed, then wind down.
- Last potty break right before bed.
- Set an alarm for a night break rather than waiting for crying. It’s easier to stay ahead of them.
- Keep night breaks dull: lead on, toilet spot, praise, straight back to bed. No play, no bright lights.
How to Get Your Puppy to Sleep Through the Night
Puppies usually begin sleeping through the night from around 12 to 16 weeks of age. You can help it along:
- Feed the last meal about three hours before bed
- Pick up water about an hour before bed (but never limit water during the day)
- Keep bedtime and wake-up time the same every day, including weekends
- Make the morning wake-up boring for the first minute. If you leap up with excitement, early waking becomes the best part of the day.
- Push the night break 15-30 minutes later every few nights
Should I Let My Puppy Sleep in My Bed?
You may want to consider waiting for two things; (1) the puppy is fully housetrained and (2) the puppy has passed the chewing phase. This is because small puppies could easily fall/jump off a bed and cause injury. You can place a crate next to your bed that will allow you to be close to the puppy at all times while allowing you to call your dog on top of the bed when you choose to do so.
Should I Wake a Sleeping Puppy?
Mostly no. Let them sleep. There are only two reasons to wake the puppy. They would need to go outside one final time prior to your own bedtime as a routine for both of you. Second, they will require a couple of “nighttime” breaks during the first few months. If their afternoon naps become too lengthy and the evening becomes an issue with getting them ready for bed, you may shorten their afternoon nap slightly.
When Puppy Sleep Isn’t Normal
Lots of sleep is normal. These aren’t:
- A puppy who’s hard to wake or seems floppy when awake
- Sleeping much more along with not eating, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Breathing fast or noisily while resting
- Twitching that continues once the puppy is awake
Any of those needs a call to your vet, especially in young puppies who haven’t finished their vaccines. See our puppy vaccination chart for timings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Puppies under four months need about 18-20 hours a day. That drops to 14-16 hours by 6-12 months.
Yes, if they’re bright and playful when awake, eating well and growing. Very young puppies sleep most of the day.
Most sleep through the night somewhere between 12 and 16 weeks old.
Naps of 1-2 hours are normal for young puppies. Older puppies take shorter, less frequent naps.
Not entirely. Make sure they don’t need the toilet, then keep things calm. Having the crate near your bed usually reduces crying fast.
Any consistent time that works for you, often 9-11 pm, after a calm wind-down and a final potty break.
Usually it’s overtiredness. Evening zoomies and biting often mean your puppy needs a nap, not more play.
A crate is a safe, cosy place to sleep and helps with house training. Make it comfortable and never use it as punishment.
Keep the morning wake-up calm and boring, make sure the room is dark, and gradually push the first breakfast later.
Vet note: Written and reviewed by Dr. Muhammad Usman, DVM. A healthy puppy sleeps a lot. Lethargy combined with other symptoms is a reason to see your vet.
More tools: Puppy Schedule · Potty Training Chart · Dog Crate Sizes
