Dogs sleep a lot during the day. Its called napping, actually – short bouts of rest or light sleep.
Dogs do this often, because frankly, they don’t have very much to do otherwise.
They don’t earn a paycheck, read magazines, search on Google, post on Facebook, take out the garbage, pay bills, watch The Voice, The View or Vampire Diaries.
Some dogs nap when we want them to. Some dogs wake up from their naps just when we don’t want them to.
10 year old Corgi Alfie naps so soundly that he is startled by any noise or movement near him. This occasionally results in a reflexive nip at whoever or whatever caused the disturbance. You know, let sleeping dogs lie, and all that.
4 month old Labrador puppy Taylor naps as suddenly as he bursts into exuberant circles when guests arrive. He will be playing happily with his hedgehog, tossing it and woofing at it, then inexplicably drop into a curled, motionless sack of adorable pup.
Cairn Terrier Cole, 6 years old, is a napping machine. He wakes up to eat, do his business, seek out the nearest sunny place or piece of carpeting, and zonk out. If the doorbell rings or the vacuum cleaner hovers near him, he begrudgingly moves to another room, as far from the offending sound as possible. Instantly, he is gently snoring.
What do naps have to do with training? Here’s a few things to keep in mind:
1. Puppies need frequent naps. Sometimes, they don’t know when its time. If
your puppy seems to be out of control, and has been awake for several hours non-
stop, it might be time to crate him or her in a quiet place away from the family. Soon, the puppy will drop off to sleep. Happy puppy, relieved puppy owner.
2. Older dogs, sick or injured dogs, and dogs that are light sleepers should be given a dog bed in a place that is unlikely to be disturbed by day to day activities. The kitchen is NOT that place.
3. Dogs that sleep a great deal during the day and then pester their owners endlessly need – guess what! – exercise! Throw a ball, take a walk, visit the dog park. Get your dog tired in the evening so he’ll sleep at night – when you sleep – too.
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