How to Help Dogs Sleep

Dogs, like humans, can have difficulty sleeping at night. Sleeplessness in dogs is related to a variety of factors, some of which are controllable by the pet owner. When you notice your dog exhibiting signs of restlessness, such as constantly moving from one location to another at night, or playing with toys after the lights are out, it is time to make some adjustments to control sleepless behaviors.

Instructions

    • 1

      Exercise your dog. Dogs need physical activity. When dogs are exercised on runs, walks or games of fetch in the yard, they grow tired by the end of the day; however, a dog that is inactive all day becomes restless at night, and may roam around the house looking for things to do.

    • 2

      Feed your dog several hours before bedtime. If you feed your dog dinner right before bedtime, it may experience a burst of energy from the food and feel restless for another couple of hours. Feeding your dog early in the evening allows it time to eat, eliminate, and play to release energy and sleep better at night.

    • 3

      Create a comfortable sleeping space for your dog. An uncomfortable dog will wander around at night in search of a spot to settle down in. Set up a designated area for your dog to sleep, such as a dog bed, pillows or blankets. Place toys in the bed area during the day so your dog knows it is for him.

    • 4

      Relax your dog before bedtime. Once you are ready to go to sleep, lead your dog to his bed area and pet it or scratch its belly. Do this for a few minutes. Try turning down the lights and scratching your dog's belly to really get it relaxed.

    • 5

      Pick up all toys before bedtime. Otherwise, you may hear gnawing and playing in the middle of the night. Many dogs, especially young ones, are stimulated when toys are around. Removing toys before bed keeps your dog from being distracted, and allows it to focus on sleep.