Dog Calm Bed – Getting Your Pup to Sleep and Stay Asleep

Does your dog jump around from here to there, waiting for you play with him right before his bedtime?

Wondering why your dog won’t sleep at night or is panting and restless throughout the night?

Having a restless dog that’s up all night is like having a baby; it can be tough to manage. You obviously love your dog. After all, these loyal creatures would do anything to protect you, so you care for them and ensure they’re comfortable in your home. Accordingly, your dog’s restlessness and antsy behavior around bedtime that makes it difficult for them to sleep can be frustrating but more concerning.

Reasons for Canine Restlessness at Night

Here are a few reasons your dog is unable to sleep at night:

• Animal anxiety
• Not enough physical activity
• Age
• Diet
• Medical condition
• Lack of a proper sleeping area

How to Get Your Dog to Sleep and Stay Asleep at Night

Here are a few tips you can use to help you get your restless dog to sleep and stay asleep throughout the night.

Build a Proper Sleeping Area

The absence of a consistent and comfortable sleeping area can be a real problem for your dog. Canines are energetic animals that will never go to bed if they think potential playtime is on the line, and when they don’t have any proper sleeping space, they will be all up and jumpy. Just like humans, animals need a proper designated space to retire when it’s time for bed – like a sanctuary.

If your dog curls and sleeps near your feet in the middle of the night, the higher vantage point is comforting for him as he can watch out for potential threats. Not to mention, human beds are comfortable. Keeping this in mind, a customized bed will make your dog feel safe, secure, and relaxed.

You can easily make a DIY project out of this by looking for solid wood and hammering the planks together for a secure joint. You can then top it off with a comfortable mattress. A memory foam mattress is the ideal option for older dogs with sore or aching joints. If you still struggle with getting your dog to sleep on its bed, train him by placing a few treats on his bed each night. Over time, your pup will begin associating his bed with yummy treats, encouraging him to willingly go to bed.  

Provide Them with Comfortable Bedding

Dogs are pretty resilient about finding a place to sleep, but that doesn’t mean they don’t search for comfort. However, the idea of comfort varies from canine to canine. While some pups prefer having lots of blankets and fluffy towels to nestle in, others like cold, hard floors.

You will have to find out the kind of bedding your pup likes by experimenting with different bedding ideas in their crate to see what they are most comfortable with. If your dog is too cold, too warm, or generally uncomfortable with its current bedding situation, he will wake up earlier than usual and whine. However, on the other hand, if your dog’s bedding is perfect, it will help him sleep longer.

If your dog is prone to shredding or is much of a chewer, consider getting chew-proof bedding to keep them safe. Also, invest in washable or waterproof beds and mats for young puppies.

Burn Some Energy before Bedtime

Dogs require plenty of mental and physical stimulate due to their active nature and personalities. Providing your dog with mental enrichment and physical exercise before his bedtime will tire him out, helping him fall asleep more easily.

Physical Exercise

You should spend at least 10-20 minutes regularly playing with your dog inside or outside a few times during the day. Whether it’s a game of fetch, tug, or chasing a flirt pole, search for an exciting physical activity for them. Not only will this provide them with an excellent outlet for their pent-up energy, but it will also tire him out and help get things moving “in the pipes” before bedtime.

Brain Games and Training

Take out time in the evening to practice a few basic training cues with your puppy. Not only does this help work his brain, but it also helps solidify your relationship with your beloved furry baby. While bigger dogs require more mental stimulation, puppies have a shorter attention span, so short and sweet training sessions typically suffice for them.

Besides providing your puppy with stimulating toys, there are other ways to get them to engage their brains. For instance, consider ditching your pup’s regular food bowl and replacing it with a puzzle feeder for your pup. These interactive feeders can stimulate your dog’s brain and help him enjoy his meal.

Give Them a Rub Down

Whether your furry canine member is a beagle, terrier, retriever, or a Labrador, they all have one thing in common – they love being petted by their human parents. We’re also sure that you love petting your fluffy little bunny just to witness the ravishing joy on their face.

Fortunately, there are various motions to try with your hands when petting your dog to bed. These motions can be super-calming and help him relax, which can help get him to sleep throughout the night.

Face Massages

If your dog gets specifically anxious during the night, give him soft and gentle caresses down the side of his face to help him feel relaxed. You can also try slow, circular motions around his cheeks to help him calm down. Generally, both these methods are very effective in getting your pup to remain calm and peaceful, and they also allow you two to share special bonding time together after a busy day. You can try both methods to see what your dog likes best, as his preference will be evident from his body language and wagging tail.

Body Massages

Besides your pup’s face, you can also give his entire body a rub down by starting at his neck and slowly working your way down to his spine. Keep your motions gentle and soothing, and soon you’ll begin to notice changes in your dog’s anxious behavior.

Ear Massages

Some dogs also enjoy a good ear massage. Pointy and floppy ears contain a lot of nerve endings and release endorphins through gentle massages, sending a wave of intense relaxation throughout your dog’s body. When it comes to ear massages, always start at the base of the ear with circular motions and work your way outwards towards the tip of the ear. However, not all dogs will like this, so make sure to pay attention to how your dog behaves when you massage his ears.

Relax Them with Sounds or Smells 

For some people, the sound of crashing waves, and the scent of sand and salty air are more than enough to make them breathe a sigh of relief. With a 40 times stronger sense of smell than humans and a four times stronger sense of hearing, dogs are highly likely to respond positively to calming sounds and smells.

Sounds

Putting on mellow music before bedtime can be a great way to soothe and lull your puppy to sleep. Music streaming platforms, such as Spotify and YouTube feature many dog-friendly tunes and playlists that were particularly created to help your dog relax. Moreover, classical music is generally considered calming for dogs, but if that doesn’t work for your pup, try out reggae or some other soft music.  

Smells

Many diffusers have soothing and non-harmful fragrances that can relax your dog and help him get a good night’s rest.

Address Medical Issues

Restless nights can be an indicator that your pup is struggling with an undiagnosed medical condition and requires your help. If you suspect your dog’s restless and insomniac behavior is due to an illness or injury, it may be time to visit the vet. In certain cases, pain medication can help ease pain and soreness, helping your dog relax. There may also be a huge chance that your dog is being annoyed and irritated by fleas or mites. Either way, your dog won’t be able to sleep peacefully until his root problem is treated accurately.

Wrapping Up

While sometimes your dog will grow out of his phase of not sleeping through the night; other times, you’ll need to help your dog develop new habits and break old ones to set them on a healthy sleep schedule. It may take more than a few days to get your pup to sleep and stay asleep peacefully, but consistent effort and training will most certainly make a huge difference. That said, we hope that the tips listed above help you get your restless dog to sleep and stay asleep peacefully throughout the night.