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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

How much does your dog sleep?

27 replies

Al1son · 07/01/2011 16:52

We got our 2/3 year old Jack Russell about a month ago from Dogs Trust.

He's a wonderful little fella who is very placid, affectionate, keen to please, obedient but still a little wary (if you speak at all sharply he flinches and hits the deck) which is a bit sad.

I'm a childminder so I'm home all day but he stays in the kitchen and utility away from the children. He's happy to see me come in and out but doesn't really do much apart from sleep. Don't get me wrong, it's lovely that he's so well behaved but he sleeps all evening and I assume all night too. In fact if someone isn't playing with him, feeding him or walking him he's asleep.

I was just wondering if that was normal. You hear about dogs who are left all day barking for hours on end out of boredom and loneliness and I can't imagine him being bothered to stay awake to do it. In fact I've only heard him bark once so far.

Could this be a hangover from being in the rescue centre? He is still coming out of himself and I know that he was very stressed by being there. Maybe this is a self-defence mechanism.

I expect I'm overthinking this and lots of people will come on and tell me that their dogs are just the same.

He's very fit and healthy and gets very excited if you pick up his lead.

OP posts:
Ephiny · 07/01/2011 17:18

My dog sleeps a lot too, generally if there's nothing else going on and no one is playing with or cuddling him, he'll just curl up and have a nap. He was a rescue as well, however for him it was the other way round, when he first came home he found it difficult to relax (he wanted to follow us or keep an eye on us all the time) and got distressed when we tried to leave him alone in the house. It's only once he settled in that he was happy to lounge around and snooze like he does.

It's probably normal, especially if he perks up when it's time for a walk and doesn't seem uninterested and lethargic all the time.

You say he's a bit wary, one thing ours will do is come up to us when he wants attention, maybe your boy is still a bit apprehensive about doing this? I guess he had some bad treatment in his previous home? :(

Prolesworth · 07/01/2011 17:21

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Message withdrawn

minimu1 · 07/01/2011 19:29

I would not want any of my dogs to sleep all the time!

Dogs are like us if there is nothing to do they will become tired and bored.

The OP case is different however and I would be taking things slowly with a rescue dog that is showing signs of anxiety. Are you aware of dogs calming signals? I would be using these a load when I am in the same area of the dog. Calming signals include yawning, licking your lips, not directly looking at the dog, approaching the dog in an arc and not straight on. This will help to chill your dog and give him more confidence. Also get a clicker and get clicking!

Those of you with sleeping dogs try to get your dogs more stimulated again clicker raining is fab, get the dogs to do jobs around the house, you will be amazed at what dogs can do and what they are capable of.

Of course all dogs need a chill out time and sleep but to be sleeping all day is a sign of a depressed and flat dog.

Original poster
Al1son · 07/01/2011 19:52

Thank you everyone Smile

I'll use those signals thanks.

We encourage him to join us in the living room when I'm not working. He has a bed in there as well as the crate in the utility which is his own space. He often comes for a cuddle if we sit on the floor and loves to sit on laps (again on the floor).

We are using treats and praise to train him to sit, lie down, go in his bed and jump over some little agility poles. He seems to really enjoy this training and is learning very well. We haven't used the clicker we've got but I keep thinking we should get going with it so that's next on the agenda.

He's beginning to get playful and will have little tugs of war if we're careful not to be too aggressive with him and he's just started pinching socks from my daughter's bedroom for fun but will drop them when told to.

He has two or three walks a day on the lead as we don't feel confident to let him off yet. We call him to heel and reward him with treats during the walks in the hope that he'll learn to come when we call.

I hope what we're doing is right. Any more tips to boost his confidence would be gratefully received.

OP posts:
minimu1 · 07/01/2011 20:16

It sounds like you are doing really well. Dont encourage him to do things if he does not want to eg come into other rooms etc he will when he is ready.

A good thing to remember in dog training is that the way to get results quickly is to go slowly!

HopeForTheBest · 07/01/2011 20:25

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on request of its author.

minimu1 · 07/01/2011 20:36

I am surprised it has taken so long for someone to come back with that comment HopeForTheBest Grin

Ok ready to be blasted here Grin I am not meaning to upset anyone but stating research and evidence fact.

I see a lot of "pet" dogs that have the recommended two walks a day and then left to mooch with the family. They deal well with this as that is dogs strength to adapt. Hence why we have pet dogs. However if you take the same dog and get it to do tricks and jobs to do and short training sessions throughout the day you will see a huge difference in the dog.

I don't mean to go on but if you see a clicker trained dog you see a dog that is used to using its brain and will be way more stimulated and up for a challenge.

If the stimulation is not there the dog will will sleep more and therefore will be a flatter dog.

Obviously the older the dog is there will be more need for rest.

If I had a dog that was reluctant to go for a walk I would really change the routine to get the dog more stimulated. Like us dogs are affected by the dark days but like us the treatment is to increase the exercise and stimulation.

Ephiny · 07/01/2011 20:55

I don't like to think of my dog feeling flat and depressed. He seems happy enough, but as you say dogs adapt to their situation. He does get three walks a day, including playing in the park with his ball or frisbee, ideally and we try to interact with him in the house and play little games (e.g. hiding things for him to find). But when he's left to himself he does tend to just go to sleep. He's six years old so not a young pup.

I will look into the clicker training, not something I've ever done but it sounds interesting. He's an intelligent boy and I have worried before that we don't give him enough mental stimulation...

HopeForTheBest · 07/01/2011 21:01

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on request of its author.

minimu1 · 07/01/2011 21:01

There are so many activities you can do with your dog - to suit all dogs, owners abilities physical and mental

Agility
working trials
HTM
Obedience
Rally o
PAT dogs
CaniX
Good citizens
brreed specfic activities eg bloodhound trials
flyball
field trials

Have you noticed that I this is a soap box issue for me Grin

Original poster
Al1son · 07/01/2011 21:43

I'm feeling a bit bad about him being in the kitchen while I'm working now. I do bring him out when the children's sleep times coincide which is for about an hour most days. I'll make sure he's busy playing and training with me now rather than just letting him curl up in front of the fire (which is what I want to do at that time too!).

My 7 year old is desperate to do dog-agility with him (she has autistic traits and dogs are her whole reason for being). I know a group that meets close by so will look into joining it in a few weeks when he's settled in a bit more. He does seem to really enjoy what we do here and I guess it could help his confidence.

minimu1 is there any chance you could elaborate a little on the list for a newbie to dog ownership?

OP posts:
TomYumSoup · 09/01/2011 14:48

Every greyhound I've ever met (& that's quite a few) must be depressed & flat lolGrin

Tortoise · 09/01/2011 15:26

My Greyhound sleeps/lays down all day in between walks. He doesn't really play in any way and won't play fetch in the garden. if i try and get him to play outside he stands by the door whining!

minimu1 · 09/01/2011 16:44

Ok guys point made but why are you trying to make a greyhound retrieve?

Dig into their instincts so play will be different for all dogs.

Get a greyhound to chase under control and you will see a positive driven dog. Get a Greyhound to try to retrieve you see a bored and unmotivated dog.

Teach a Greyhound to play tuggy with a furry tug = happy greyhound try with a plastic one bored and uninterested greyhound.

I agree some breeds are more lively than others but that is not a reason to not try to stimulate all pet dogs.

Alison1 as a newbie to dog ownership I would find a clicker based dog trainer and attempt to complete the Kennel Clubs good citzen award. Then take it from there.

Tortoise · 09/01/2011 18:31

We do play tug with him with furry toys the only risk of that is that he wants to play with All furry toys! he loses interest very quickly though. It is all too much effort for him!

DooinMeCleanin · 09/01/2011 18:37

My dogs tend to sleep on an evening after their long walk as their days are spent playing with each other. Rather loudly at times. Or training/walking, which I split up through the day to stop them getting bored.

Atm as I am cleaning (honest, guv, I am Wink) they are chasing a tennis ball around the dining room and hallway.

GroovyGretel · 09/01/2011 18:42

I am sure that I have been told that a happy dog will sleep for upwards of 18 hours a day.

I thought it was much like the Primal theory for people, ie, if activity is needed/required to obtain food then fine, otherwise, relax. Preferably on a sofa.

Beamur · 09/01/2011 18:47

My dog gets two energetic walks a day, there is someone home most days so she has plenty of company, but still spends most of her time lounging about. Except at mealtimes when she is suddenly most alert..

auntyfash · 09/01/2011 18:48

My dog only ever seems to sleep after his walks and at night time. The rest of the day he brings me toys to play with, plays with the kids, plays with the cats, dry humps his teddy Blush, but he's only a pup yet, and a BT at that, so I'm guessing he'll do more sleeping as he gets older.

Just out of interest, how long should a dog sleep for?

auntyfash · 09/01/2011 18:48

My dog only ever seems to sleep after his walks and at night time. The rest of the day he brings me toys to play with, plays with the kids, plays with the cats, dry humps his teddy Blush, but he's only a pup yet, and a BT at that, so I'm guessing he'll do more sleeping as he gets older.

Just out of interest, how long should a dog sleep for?

HopeForTheBest · 10/01/2011 11:10

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on request of its author.

walkies · 14/01/2011 17:01

My collie adores playing hide'n seek indoors, DD and friends like too because the dog is always 'it' and can count to ten without cheating Wink

WoodRose · 14/01/2011 18:33

Walkies - I'm impressed - a collie who can count to ten! Grin

minimu1 · 14/01/2011 20:09

Can't all collies count to 10? Grin I am sure mine count to 100 (lalalilala)

Yep Hopeforthebest most of what I have listed is outdoor stuff as dogs love that most however there is loads to do with dogs indoors.

Hide food or toys for them to find (or as above children!)

Teach them to fetch names objects - it is only the dogs that can ever find the tv remote in our house

Don't be late ever again by getting the dogs to fetch your car keys

Dogs are fab at emptying washing machines and tumble driers and love doing it.

Teach them to wait and stay whilst you tidy up

Teach them to put their toys and DC toys in toy boxes

Teach them to get a tissue when you sneeze

Teach them to open and close doors (at you peril this one!)

Teach them to put rubbish in the bin

All of the above are really simple for any dog to pick up with clicker training.

Most are based on a hold command, give command and a pull command.

bumpybecky · 14/01/2011 21:50

but can you teach an old dog new tricks?!

getting our dog to do the laundry and pick up toys sounds fabulous, but she's old and rather deaf, I'm not sure she'll hear a clicker!