A good night’s rest is the foundation for a productive day — not just for humans, but for dogs, too. 

From puppyhood to the golden years, a healthy sleep pattern is essential for a dog’s well-being. We humans can relate! No one works well after uncomfortable, interrupted sleep. Getting enough sleep can impact dogs’ learning ability, mood, growth, and even immune function. 

A well-rested dog, on the other hand, is a happy and healthy dog. Focusing on your dog’s sleep patterns will not only make a difference in their overall health but will also strengthen the owner-to-canine bond. Proper sleep habits will lead to better skill retention, obedience, and contentedness in pups. 

However, it’s important to note that good dog sleep habits will look different from human sleep patterns, so your four-legged friends can’t simply follow in your two-legged footsteps. This guide from Greenlin Pet Resorts in Harrisburg breaks down the details of canine sleep, and what healthy behaviors could look like for your dog.  

Sleep Impacts Overall Canine Health

A full rest cycle is important for maintaining a dog’s physical well-being. 

When asleep, vital processes occur that allow their bodies to regulate essential functions, much like in humans. 

Getting enough sleep can make a difference across many areas of canine health and wellness, including in the following ways:

Physical Growth and Recovery 

  • Puppy development: When a young pup gets enough sleep, they are more likely to have a smooth growth process. Sleep helps the development of muscle and bone. The essential functions that promote physical growth and recovery in dogs can only be processed at night when they are sleeping, and puppies may need even more help getting into a consistent sleep routine.
  • Muscle and tissue repair: When an animal is asleep, the body releases vital growth hormones that support muscle recovery and tissue regeneration, so after a long day of being a canine, dogs use their sleep cycle to refresh their bodies. Active dogs or pups healing from injuries may sleep more to renew the body of what’s been lost or damaged. 
  • Immune strength: A well-rested dog is better equipped to fight off infectious illnesses and diseases, as a healthy sleep cycle is linked to stronger immunity. Sleep does everything from reducing inflammation to promoting the production of immune cells (specialized cells for fighting off invaders). 

Cognitive Function

  • Processing sensory information: When a dog is sleeping, they can process recent sensory intake. During the REM phase of sleep, dogs will consolidate sensory information into memories that can be recalled when triggered. Dogs can organize foreign sensory stimulation and information that they recognize from being awake during REM sleep, assessing their positive or negative association with the specific smell, sound, location, etc. 
  • Skill retention: The processing and consolidation of sensory information does more than organize association with certain stimulation. This is how dogs process information that they learn while awake, so proper sleep is vital for retaining new skills, commands, and desirable behaviors. 
  • Emotional processing: Good sleep helps dogs process emotions, leading to a more relaxed and confident pup during the day. Dogs that get enough sleep are less likely to have emotional outbursts like nipping, barking, and howling. Just like in humans, dogs can become more irritable after not sleeping well.

Behavior and Mood

  • Reduced aggression: Not getting enough sleep prevents the brain from processing emotional and sensory stimuli. This can lead to irritability and defensive behaviors. A proper sleep cycle is a mood stabilizer for a dog, allowing for better interactions between dogs and humans.  
  • Stable energy levels: Sleeping well allows for balanced energy levels. A healthy energy cycle will keep your dog moving throughout the day, but a dog that isn’t sleeping right will get tired more quickly. Less sleep can make a dog grumpy and irritable. 

Long-term Health

  • Cognitive aging: Sleep is like brain food to the body, allowing the mind to rejuvenate itself after overstimulation or exhaustion. For a dog, maintaining a regular sleep cycle can actually slow the rate of cognitive decline. A balanced sleep schedule supports long-term memory in aging dogs. 
  • Metabolism and healthy weight: Getting quality sleep is linked to better weight management because sleep regulates appetite and digestion-related hormones. A dog with an irregular sleep cycle may have increased cravings and lower metabolism 
  • Endocrine health: Other hormonal processes, such as in the thyroid, help maintain appetite and energy levels. Sleep can help prevent endocrine disorders, which can impact weight, coat, and general vitality.

Common Sleep Positions For Dogs And What They Mean

Dogs can sleep comfortably in a variety of ways. Your dog may decide to snuggle up in a specific position to tell you something about how they feel.

 Below, we’ll break down some of the most common sleep positions for dogs and what they mean:

  • Curled up in a ball: When cuddled up into a ball, your dog is showing you that they feel safe and comfortable in their space and are ready to rest in a position that they can’t easily rouse from. 
  • Laying on their side: Dogs only show their bellies when they are comfortable and trust their surroundings. If your dog sleeps on their side with their stomach exposed, chances are they feel safe and comfortable in your presence. 
  • Stomach sleeping: Otherwise known as the froggy position, this sleeping arrangement tells a dog owner that their pup is in a lighter sleep and can still wake up energetic and alert if needed. 
  • With their back to you: A dog that sleeps close likely wants to feel your warmth or show that they trust you enough to sleep around you. If your dog sleeps while touching you with their back or paw, they are bonding with you.
  • In a cuddle pile: Dogs that sleep in a pile with other dogs or even humans are showing a need for social connection. They may be cold if it is the winter time, or they could be exemplifying their desire for more social opportunities. 
  • In the corner or against the wall: When a dog sleeps against the wall, they are looking for more control over their environment. It can bring a sense of control because they can observe more easily without worrying about what is lurking behind them. 
  • Laying on chest with legs tucked under: Dogs won’t sleep in this position if they are in a light, restless sleep. Typically, this position shows that a dog is resetting but not fully relaxed. A dog in this position is still alert and can be woken up easily. 

Abnormal Sleep Habits

When you analyze dog sleep patterns, they won’t always look the same. Some dogs sleep more, and others less — this is completely natural. For example, pups and older dogs may sleep more because they require additional rest for growth and recovery. 

However, if your dog’s sleep patterns deviate from their normal routine, it could be a sign of an abnormal sleep habit. Some of the most common include:

  • Sleeping too much (Hypersomnia)
  • Restlessness (Insomnia)
  • Interrupted sleep
  • Increased nighttime activity
  • Excessive movements (REM sleep)
  • Labored breathing when asleep

How Can I Help My Dog Get Better Sleep?

Dog sleep patterns are not the same as humans. While we sleep an average of 8 hours in the night with longer sleep cycles that span approximately 90 minutes, dogs have shorter sleep cycles, around 15-20 minutes each, but sleep more hours during the day — up to 14. 

Dogs sleep for about half of their day, spend about 30% of their time awake but relaxing, and the other 20% doing vigorous activity.  

Understanding dog sleep habits starts with monitoring your pup directly. If you suspect that your pup might have symptoms of irregular sleep habits, there are steps you can take to help them, like: 

  • Create a designated space to train sleep response
  • Establish a routine by going to bed at the same time nightly
  • Avoid overstimulation before bed
  • Provide enough opportunities for physical activity every day
  • Do not feed big meals before bed
  • Address separation anxiety  
  • Check for health issues

Abnormal sleep habits can be completely natural, but could also be a sign of underlying health conditions. Your local vet can help you understand if the irregular sleep is related to any other health concerns. 

Turn Down Service at the Greenlin Pet Resort in Harrisburg

Give your pup a vacation the Greenlin way. 

A luxury bedtime service is not just for humans. Spoil your dog with all of the luxuries of a 5-star hotel when you bring them to a dog boarding stay at Greenlin Pet Resorts in Harrisburg. When pups stay with us overnight, they can enjoy snuggly sheets, warm beds, and spacious private quarters.

Our facility is also equipped for dog daycare and Harrisburg dog training. Learn more about the Harrisburg location when you call (717) 923-5219, contact us online, or stop by for a walk-in facility tour!

Posted in Animal Behavior Category