Why your dog’s bad behaviour might be a sleep problem
Why Your Dog’s Bad Behaviour Might Just Be a Sleep Problem
Hint: they’re basically overtired toddlers with paws
Ever seen a toddler who skipped their nap? One minute they’re giggling, the next they’re sobbing into their spaghetti and launching crayons across the room. Dogs? Pretty much the same. Except instead of crying, they’re stealing your socks, barking at invisible threats, or bouncing off the walls at 9 p.m.
Just like kids, dogs need sleep — and plenty of it. When they don’t get enough, things can go sideways fast.
Let’s dig into why sleep is so important for your dog, how much they actually need, what happens when they’re overtired, and how you can help them rest up.
How much sleep do dogs need?
It depends on their age, but spoiler alert: it’s a lot more than most people realise.
Puppies need about 18 to 20 hours of sleep a day. Their bodies and brains are growing like crazy, and sleep is when all that development happens.
Adult dogs usually need 13 to 16 hours a day. Even the most active working breeds need serious downtime to recharge.
Senior dogs often go back to puppy-like sleep habits, snoozing up to 18 hours a day to help their joints and minds rest.
And no, this doesn’t mean one long snooze — dogs nap in short bursts throughout the day and night. That’s totally normal and healthy.
Why sleep matters
Sleep isn’t just downtime. For dogs, it’s when their brains process everything they’ve learned, their bodies recover from exercise, and their mood resets. If they don’t get enough rest, they can’t think clearly or control their impulses — sound familiar, parents?
Without enough sleep, you might start seeing:
sudden barking at nothing
extra clingy or attention-seeking behaviour
wild zoomies when you thought they were tired
stealing socks or chewing shoes (yep, that’s an overtired brain)
being mouthy or nippy, especially in puppies
totally ignoring training cues they usually know
Basically, a tired dog is a hot mess.
Overtired dogs = toddlers mid-meltdown
We’ve all seen it: a kid who’s beyond exhausted but somehow full of chaotic energy. That’s your dog when they miss their nap. They hit a second wind, fuelled by stress hormones like cortisol, and suddenly can’t calm themselves down.
They’ll do whatever gets a reaction — grabbing your sock and running off, chewing a table leg, or barking because the bin looked at them funny. It’s not bad behaviour, it’s tired behaviour. Big difference.
How to help your dog get better sleep
Helping your dog sleep more (and better) doesn’t mean locking them away for hours. It’s about creating calm moments and teaching them that rest is part of the day too.
Here’s what helps:
Set a routine – dogs thrive on predictable days. Try to keep feeding, walks, play and nap times around the same time.
Schedule naps – especially for puppies, plan nap time just like you would with a baby. After play or training? Nap. After a walk? Nap.
Make a chill space – give them a cosy, quiet spot that’s theirs. A crate, dog bed or blanket in the corner can be their go-to nap zone.
Wind down in the evening – avoid rowdy games or training sessions right before bed. Switch to chewing, snuggling or just hanging out quietly.
Don’t overstimulate – more exercise isn’t always better. If they’re bouncing off the walls, they might need a nap, not another game of fetch.
Bonus tip: if your dog gets the zoomies every evening, it’s likely overtiredness, not extra energy.
The bottom line
A well-rested dog is a happy, more chilled, easier-to-live-with dog. If you’re seeing wild behaviour, attention-seeking antics or general chaos, ask yourself: when did they last have a good nap?
Sleep is as essential to your dog’s wellbeing as food, training and exercise. So let them snooze — they’re not being lazy, they’re just being smart. And if your pup wants to curl up for the fifth nap of the day? Let sleeping dogs lie. Literally.
