Dogs and puppies get to sleep about 13 hrs per day, though some breeds may nap as much as 18 hours per day. It is important to note that dogs wake up more frequently than we do. Therefore even though it appears your dog is sleeping excessively, there are far more interruptions to their slumber than you assume.

Dogs experience sleep conditions comparable to humans with slow wave sleep and rapid eye motion (REM) sleep. The first sleep phase is the slow wave sleep that happens for the first 10 or so minutes of sleep. During this time your dog's breathing slows and blood pressure and heart rate decreases. Immediately after this first stage your dog gets into the REM stage of sleep. During REM you may see your dog quietly barking or whimpering and jerking their legs. Your dog's brain activity at this point is akin to the activity observed when humans dream. Perhaps this why we intuitively say that our dogs do dream.

Several factors affect the amount of time your dog sleeps.

1. Your dog's breed - Various breeds need completely different amounts of slumber

2. Physical activity levels - considerably active dogs such as a working dog will sleep less than a dog who lives as the pet at home.

3. Boredom - If a dog is uninterested it is more likely to sleep than one who is involved in something going on. Surprisingly they know when to be alert and be well aware of their environment. They appear to have a sixth sense when it comes to this but also respond to certain auditory stimulus such as the family car arriving home.

4. Age - Senior canines will sleep more that younger canines.

5. Medication/Poor Health - If a dog is ill, depressed or on medication, they will be apt to sleep far more.

6. Location - noisy and uncomfortable environments will result in the dog sleeping less than if the environment is undisturbed and comfy

The most essential thing concerning your dog's sleep habits, is to recognize what is routine for your dog. Once you are aware of what constitutes typical, you can become mindful of any alterations to length of sleep, time of sleep and lack of reaction to motivation that usually wakes your dog. If you become conscious of any differences it may be prudent to make an appointment with your local vet, to get rid of the chance of any under-lying health problems that may want dealing with.

Stop Aggressive Dog Behavior With These Methods
We all know that living with an aggressive dog is difficult. Moreover, pet owners are at risk. If the pet bites someone while outside, chances are the owner will be sued and the dog will be put to sleep.

If You Have A Dog, You Need To Know About These Dog Health Problems
There are many common dog health problems, but some are breed specific. For example, giant breed dogs are more likely to have joint problems in their growing period if not on the appropriate nutrition.

Initiate Your Personal Animal Grooming Trade With Professional Dog Clippers
While you may be tempted to purchase used dog grooming equipment, it will be better if you can acquire new professional dog clippers and the equipment you need. This will be better for you and the animal you are taking care of.

Proper Training Of A Dominant Pup - What You Must To Know
A dominant dog is one who explicitly shows you that he or she cannot be bossed around. While an independent dog will simply ignore your commands, a dominant dog will show you his or her discontent in being ordered about.

Contemplate Altering Your Canine's Weight Loss Program By Giving Him Or Her Less Treats.
Consider altering your dog's diet by giving him or her less treats. Instead of a large Milk Bone, for example, break the treat into several smaller pieces and distribute them one at a time. This will have your dog eating less between meals.

Find Out How To Hinder A Puppy From Biting And Chewing And Jumping On People
Remember that some puppy behaviors we think cute can turn into serious problems when the puppy is full grown.

Helpful Poodle Training Tips
Poodles can be a challenge to train since they usually have a stubborn side and, like all dogs, can be difficult to understand.

Suggestions For Properly Crate Training Puppies
There is so much to learn with a new puppy, but one essential thing is the art of crate training.

3 Very Simple Ways To Stop Puppy Digging
Puppies are cute and adorable - until they do very naughty and "un-adorable" things. For one thing, young dogs have a nasty habit of digging holes in your backyard.

The Challenge Of Eradicating Dog Ticks
Dog ticks, or more specifically brown dog ticks, start off as tiny little parasites looking for a blood meal. When first born, they are small and difficult to see.

A Guide To Choosing Dog Collars For Your Pet
Dog collars come in so many different types and styles that deciding on the right one may be almost as difficult as voting for your favorite canine breed. The first consideration is your pet's safety.

A Guide To Effective Weimaraner Crate Training
This breed tends to be quite active and sociable, and as a result, they have a habit of getting into trouble if they are not suitably trained from a young age.

Related Articles

Partner Sites

  • Technorati Favorites
  • Reddit
  • Posterous
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Twitter
  • Squidoo
  • Share/Bookmark