25/06/2026
😴😴 Healthy development starts with quality sleep😴😴
We often focus on exercise, training, and socialisation when raising a puppy, but one of the most important aspects of healthy development is often overlooked... sleep!
Puppies need up to 18–20 hours of sleep each day. During this time, their bodies are working hard behind the scenes. The growth of their muscles, joints, bones and nervous system all rely on adequate rest to develop properly.
Sleep also allows puppies to recover from the physical demands of play, exercise, and exploring the world around them. While movement is essential, so is the opportunity for the body to rest and repair.
An overtired puppy can become clumsy, struggle to settle, or find it harder to cope with everyday experiences - or simply just become completely over excited and unmanageable! Just as sleep supports emotional wellbeing, it also plays an important role in healthy physical development. Providing regular opportunities for quality sleep can help support healthy movement patterns and give growing bodies the chance to develop as they should.
Sometimes, the most beneficial thing we can do for our puppies is simply allow them the time and space to rest. Timings of naps, bedding choices and even placement of our puppy's bed can all impact the quality of their sleep.
If you have any questions about your puppy's physical development or movement, or would like some guidance around building good sleep routines, please get in touch.
