Your puppy doesn’t need your entertainment 24/7
Puppies are a lot.
Puppies are cute. But they sure are needy.
They are busier than older dogs, so they need activities.
They have small bladders and little muscle control, so they need to pee frequently.
They find and put their teeth on just about everything, so they need a safe place to explore.
They aren’t used to being alone, so they need smart companionship.
They’re uneducated, so they need to learn everything.
With all that puppies need (and they do need a lot), you know what they DON’T need?
24/7 entertainment.
Constant Entertainment Leads to Exhaustion
Puppies are a lot of work. 100%
But that does not mean you have to entertain them all day, every day.
Not only is full-time entertainment not sustainable for you, but it’s not helpful for your puppy.
Because you know what else puppies need?
Sleep.
Lots of sleep.
18-20 hours of sleep per day.
Sometimes, owners are so concerned with handling all that puppy energy (and who can blame them?!), that their puppy winds up over-stimulated and exhausted.
And do you know what exhausted puppies do?
They bite.
A lot.
Finding Balance
Puppies don’t usually give themselves enough sleep
Yes, a puppy requires a lot more of your time and attention than an older dog.
Yes, you need to play with and practice training with your puppy every day, multiple times a day.
Yes, you should proactively ensure that your puppy’s social, physical and mental needs are met.
But.
You should also ensure that his sleep needs are met. Getting enough sleep is crucial to his development and good behavior.
And when he is awake, make sure he spends some of that time practicing how to settle and self-entertain. Because that’s a big part of the adult life you are preparing him for.
Need help figuring out the best puppy schedule?
Meet the Blog Author and Puppy Trainer
Leighann Hurley founded Koinonia Dogs in 2014 and has been a Certified Professional Dog Trainer in the Austin, TX area since 2019.
She's a problem-solver by nature and loves creating cooperation through conflict-free communication so both ends of the leash enjoy an easier life together.
