I notice humans worry about sleep before they even sit down.
Your shoulders are already tight.
You’re scrolling quietly, hoping for a sentence that tells you you’re not messing this up.
So I’ll start there.
Most puppy “problems” aren’t problems at all.
They have sleep problems.
Puppies are not built to sleep like grown dogs.
Their brains wake up faster than their bodies can keep up with.
When they’re tired, they don’t slow down. They speed up.
- That wild behaviour you’re seeing
- The biting
- The zoomies
- The refusal to settle
That’s not you failing.
That’s a small body running on empty.
This phase feels intense because it is.
And it does pass.
Is my puppy’s sleep normal?
This is usually the question you’re really asking.
So here it is, without drama.
Normal puppy sleep behaviour
From my side, this often looks like:
– Waking at night, sometimes more than once
– Short naps instead of long ones
– Fighting sleep even when clearly exhausted
– Sudden bursts of energy right before bed
– Biting more when tired than when rested
None of this means anything is “wrong”.
Common but worrying-feeling behaviours
These make humans nervous, but they’re still very common:
– Crying when separated at night
– Settling one day and struggling the next
– Napping well in arms but not alone
– Meltdowns that appear out of nowhere
Inconsistent sleep is part of immature nervous systems.
Mine included, once.
Less typical (worth checking)
These are rarer, but important to notice:
– Very little sleep overall
– Extreme lethargy when awake
– Pain signs when lying down
– Distress that doesn’t change with support or time
Most puppies don’t fall into this category.
But noticing matters more than worrying.
How much sleep puppies actually need (by age)
Humans often think I’m “not sleeping much” because I keep waking up.
From inside my body, it feels different.
I need a lot of sleep. I just can’t always stay there.
8–10 weeks
I need around 18–20 hours a day.
It doesn’t look like it, because I wake easily.
My brain is brand new. Everything feels important.
10–14 weeks
Still around 18 hours.
This is when humans start expecting more.
My body hasn’t caught up yet.
4–6 months
Roughly 16–18 hours.
I may look bigger.
I’m still very unfinished.
Missing sleep stacks up.
When I don’t get enough rest, I don’t “try harder”.
I unravel faster.
4. Why do overtired puppies act “naughty”
When I’m overtired, my body feels buzzy and sharp.
Small things feel big.
Movement feels urgent.
Hands feel like something I have to respond to.
This is when humans see:
– Biting
– Zoomies
– Ignoring cues
– Sudden barking or growling
– Emotional meltdowns
From your side, it can look like defiance.
From mine, it’s exhaustion.
I’m not choosing chaos.
I’ve lost access to calm.
Common Puppy Sleep Problems
Humans like categories.
They help you feel less alone.
Here are the ones I hear about most.
Crying at night
Usually about safety and unfamiliarity, not stubbornness.
Are they crying at night because they’re overtired?
Refusing naps
Often, overtiredness is disguised as energy.
Why naps get refused even when tired.
Early morning wake-ups
My body clock is still learning what “morning” means.
10 pm zoomies
A full day catching up with me all at once.
Only sleeping on you
Your presence regulates more than you realise.
Good days followed by chaos
Development isn’t linear. Neither is sleep.
Each of these has its own story.
And none of them mean you’re doing it wrong.
What Actually Helps Puppy Sleep (without strict schedules)
Humans often reach for timetables when things feel messy.
From my side, predictability matters more than precision.
Routine doesn’t mean exact times.
It means familiar patterns.
I settle better when:
– The energy slows before sleep
– The space feels safe, not exciting
– Naps are protected from interruption
– Expectations stay soft
Sometimes sleep will be messy.
That doesn’t undo progress.
Progress happens quietly when no one is watching.
Night Sleep: what to expect vs what to aim for
Nights are harder.
The world is darker.
Sounds carry differently.
My body still needs the toilet more than yours does.
Night waking often improves gradually, not suddenly.
Support now doesn’t create dependence later.
It creates safety.
Safety is what allows rest to deepen over time.
8. When sleep problems connect to other issues
Humans sometimes chase the behaviour they see.
From my side, poor sleep leaks everywhere.
When I’m tired:
– I bite more
– I learn less
– I scare more easily
– Walks feel harder
– Everyone feels frustrated
Sleep is the foundation you don’t see.
But I feel it.
If your puppy is struggling to sleep in a crate, check out our article to help.
When to Worry (clear but calm)
Most puppy sleep struggles are developmental.
A few aren’t.
Check in with a vet if you notice:
– Consistently extreme restlessness
– Signs of pain
– Very low energy when awake
– Sleep that never improves at all
Most of the time, though, this is just growing.
And growing is loud.
What usually comes next
If this sounds familiar, these often come next:
– Puppy biting when overtired
– Evening zoomies
– Crying at night
– Feeling overwhelmed or low
They’re connected.
Not because you’re failing.
Because development is layered.
Pickles Pep Talk
You don’t need to fix everything today.
Sleep often improves before behaviour does.
Even when it doesn’t feel like it yet.
From where I’m lying,
you’re doing more than you think.
And you’re not alone.
I’m right here, noticing with you.
Other common puppy questions that often show up with sleep issues: