≡ Menu

How Much Do Golden Retriever Puppies Sleep?

Photo of Sleepy Doggo X

When bringing your golden retriever puppy home for the first time, it is important to set a daily schedule to reduce anxiety. How much should Golden Retriever puppies be sleeping?

Golden Retriever puppies need to sleep 18 to 20 hours a day to ensure a healthy immune system, balanced appetite, release hormones, and provide energy to the brain and body. Golden Retriever puppies need a stable sleep routine to improve their quality of sleep and overall health.

To understand how much Golden Retriever puppies sleep depending on their age and how to set a balanced sleep schedule, continue reading!

How Much Does a 2-Month-Old Golden Retriever Puppy Sleep?

Golden Retrievers, young or old, need a large amount of sleep.

Puppies 8 to 10 weeks old (or about 2 months old) will sleep for 18 to 20 hours a day, so there is no need to be concerned when your puppy is playing ferociously and then promptly falls asleep.

In order for your puppy to mature in a healthy time span, sleep is important because it releases vital growth hormones and energy for the body.

How Can My Puppy Release their Energy so they Can Sleep Better?

When your puppy is 8 to 10 weeks old, not only should they be getting proper amounts of sleep, but they should be participating in canine social skills.

You can sign up for a puppy kindergarten class, which helps build proper social skills such as bite inhibition and socialization in new environments.

This also gives puppies a healthy way to release their bundle of energy so that they can sleep well.

Playing with your puppy will also help them use their energy so they can sleep well.

Does Teething Make My Puppy More Tired?

If your puppy is teething, keep an eye on how this process affects their sleeping habits. Teething can make a puppy more tired because of the discomfort, but it should not change the puppy's day other than some extra chewing, whining, drooling, and barking.

In fact, it's more common for puppies to become more rambunctious while teething to cope with the pain, so they will sleep less rather than more.

If your puppy is lethargic while teething, or sleeping more than 20 hours, this can show an underlying health issue that requires a visit to the vet.

What are the 3 Stages of Sleep for Golden Retrievers?

Photo of Sleepy Doggo X

There are three stages of sleep for all dogs. This includes naps, sleep, and Rapid Eye Movement that is also known as REM.

Naps

Naps happen when dogs are bored or have nothing to do during the day. Their minds are still awake and their muscles are not completely relaxed. This means they can wake up at any time. For puppies, naps happen because they are necessary.

Sleep

Sleep happens at night. A dog's muscles are completely relaxed and they do not wake up for long periods of time.

Rapid Eye Movement

Rapid Eye Movement is when dreaming happens. This is when you see your puppy's eyes twitch, run in their sleep, or even bark. This is all completely normal and just means your dog is dreaming.

Do Young Golden Retriever Puppies Sleep Easily Through the Night?

Like babies, Golden Retriever puppies may have a hard time sleeping through the night, especially when they first move into your home and still need to get used to the new environment.

By the time they are 16 weeks old (or 4 months old), puppies are able to sleep through the night because they have settled into your home, established a routine, and they don't have to go to the bathroom multiple times every night.

How Can I Set a Sleep Routine for My Puppy?

Dogs are similar to humans. Our brains love routines! Like when puppies know that it's time to eat, sleeping can be the same way. Young puppies may not sleep through the night because they are nervous about their new environment, are teething, or have to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.

There are many ways to establish a quality sleep routine for your puppy.

Go Potty Before Bed

Take your puppy to go to the bathroom right before they go to bed. That way, when they go outside to use the bathroom, they will know that it's time to wind down and go to sleep.

Sleep in a Consistent Place

Have your Golden Retriever puppy sleep in the same place every night. This creates less stress for your little friend because they will be going somewhere that is familiar and is associated with sleep.

Keep the Sleeping Area Dim and Quiet

Reducing bright lights and loud noises will encourage your puppy to fall asleep faster. This will indicate that everyone in the home is sleeping and tell them that it's time for them to sleep as well.

Go to the Restroom When Needed

When your puppy needs to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, be gentle. If you react aggressively, your puppy will associate nighttime with stress. Reacting without a big emotion will help to build trust.

Go Outside in the Morning

Have your puppy wake up at the same time every day and let them run around outside! This will help your Golden Retriever get their energy out and associate waking up with something positive.

Should I Let My Golden Retriever Puppy Sleep with Me?

Sleeping with your puppy can ease anxiety symptoms for both dogs and humans. However, because dogs and humans have different sleep cycles, this can affect the quality of sleep you both get.

In many cultures, dogs and their owners have slept in the same space. In the United States, it is more frowned upon and assumed to be the cause of behavioral problems.

Research shows that co-sleeping with your dog does not automatically cause behavioral problems. Any problems that come up are most likely due to previous issues.

If you are concerned about dealing with behavioral issues while trying to sleep, place your puppy's bed close to yours. This way, you can still create a bond while still having your space.

Photo of Chad X

How Much do Older Golden Retriever Puppies Sleep?

By the time Golden Retrievers are adolescents or 1 year old, their sleep time will decrease. Fully grown Golden Retrievers will sleep 12 to 14 hours a day. Senior Golden Retrievers may sleep 15 to 20 hours a day.