How Much Should a Puppy Sleep? A Guide by Age
Young puppies spend most of the day asleep or resting. Learn how sleep changes with age, how to build a nap routine and when sleepiness is a worry.
Muhammad Junaid · · 3 min read
A young puppy should spend most of the day asleep or resting — the figure usually quoted is around 18–20 hours a day, broken into lots of naps between short bursts of play, eating and toilet trips. That much sleep is normal and important: it supports growth, a developing brain and immune system, and helps your puppy cope with everything new they're learning.
How much sleep puppies need by age
Exact numbers vary between sources, and every puppy is different. One study of owners in the UK reported less total sleep than the popular figures suggest, partly because quiet resting and dozing are easy to miss. So treat the guide below as a pattern rather than a target.
| Age | What sleep usually looks like |
|---|---|
| 8–12 weeks | Asleep most of the day. Naps of 30 minutes to two hours after every play session or meal. Usually one toilet trip at night. |
| 3–6 months | Still plenty of napping, with longer awake periods. Many puppies start sleeping through the night. |
| 6–12 months | Moving towards an adult pattern: fewer, longer naps and a settled night's sleep. |
Large and giant breeds often stay "puppyish" — and sleepy — for longer than small breeds.
Build a nap-friendly routine
Puppies rarely put themselves to bed. Left to it, many will keep playing until they are overtired. A simple rhythm helps:
- Wake up and go straight out to the toilet.
- Activity — a meal, a short play or training session, a little exploring.
- Toilet trip again.
- Nap in a quiet, comfortable spot.
Repeat this through the day. For a young puppy, the awake part of the cycle is often only an hour or so before they need rest again.
Bedtime
Aim for the same bedtime each night. Keep the last hour calm, take your puppy out to the toilet just before bed, and keep night-time trips boring: out on a lead, quiet praise, then straight back to bed. If your puppy is struggling with the first nights, see why puppies cry at night.
Where should a puppy sleep?
Choose a quiet, draught-free spot where your puppy can rest without being disturbed by children or other pets. Good options include:
- A crate with a soft, washable bed, used as a cosy den rather than a punishment. Our guide to crate training explains how to make it a happy place.
- A puppy pen or a bed in a puppy-proofed corner.
- Near you at first. Many puppies settle better for the first week or two with their bed beside yours, which also makes night toilet trips easier.
Skip expensive beds until the chewing phase passes, and avoid blankets that shred into strings your puppy could swallow.
Signs your puppy isn't getting enough sleep
Overtired puppies tend to look like they have too much energy, not too little. Watch for:
- Frantic play, zoomies or "the witching hour" in the evening
- More biting, nipping and grabbing at clothes
- Whining, barking or being unable to settle
- Struggling to listen or learn during training
If this sounds familiar, try building more enforced nap time into the day, with a quiet room and a chew.
When too much sleep is a worry
A puppy who sleeps a lot but is bright, playful and hungry when awake is usually just being a puppy. What matters is how they are during their awake time.
The bottom line
Lots of sleep is a healthy part of puppyhood. Give your puppy a predictable routine, a quiet place to rest and plenty of chances to nap, and you'll usually find training gets easier and the evening chaos calms down too.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours a day does a puppy sleep?
Young puppies are often said to need around 18–20 hours of sleep and rest a day, taken as many short naps. Estimates vary, and the amount gradually drops as your puppy grows.
Should I wake my puppy up to play?
No. Let a sleeping puppy sleep. The only routine exception is waking them for a toilet trip before you go to bed or before a longer absence.
Why does my puppy go crazy in the evening?
Evening zoomies, nipping and frantic play are often signs of an overtired puppy rather than one with too much energy. A quiet spot and a chew usually help them settle into a nap.