Is Your Puppy Overtired? 7 Signs Your Puppy Needs More Sleep (And Why They Need 18–20 Hours a Day)

When people bring home a new puppy, they often focus on socialisation, toilet training and teaching basic manners. But one of the most overlooked pieces of the puppy puzzle is something much simpler: sleep.

Puppies need an incredible amount of rest - most puppies require around 18–20 hours of sleep every day. Yet many puppies simply don’t get enough.

Just like overtired toddlers, overtired puppies can struggle to regulate themselves. Instead of curling up and drifting off to sleep, they often become busier, noisier and more demanding.

Sound familiar?

You might notice:

• Increased biting and nipping

• Jumping up more frequently

• Zoomies at inappropriate times

• Difficulty settling

• Barking or whining

• Grabbing clothes or lead biting

• Seeming unable to listen to cues they already know

It’s easy to assume these behaviours mean your puppy needs more exercise or training, but often they simply need more sleep.

The good news is that helping your puppy rest doesn’t have to be complicated.

I often recommend scheduled rest periods as part of a puppy’s daily routine. That doesn’t mean strict schedules or expecting your puppy to sleep on command. Instead, it’s about creating opportunities for rest before they become overtired.

Think about the natural flow of your puppy’s day. After a walk, a training session, visitors arriving, playtime or any exciting activity, offer them a chance to switch off. Pop them into their crate or settle them in their bed with a Kong, appropriate chew and allow them the space to decompress and drift off.

The exact timings aren’t important. Life isn’t always predictable. What matters more is the order of events.

Dogs thrive on predictability. When exciting activities are regularly followed by quiet time, puppies begin to understand what comes next. Over time, settling becomes a habit rather than a battle.

Why Sleep Matters: The Surprising Link Between Rest and Puppy Behaviour

The benefits of a good sleep routine can be huge:

• Better emotional regulation

• Reduced biting and nipping

• Improved ability to learn and focus

• Easier settling around the home

• Lower stress levels

• Happier, calmer family life

  
  

If your puppy suddenly seems “naughty”, ask yourself one simple question:

Could they actually just be tired?

Sometimes the kindest and most effective thing we can do isn’t another walk, another game or another training session.

Sometimes, it’s helping them get the sleep they need.