How Much Sleep Does a Sheltie Puppy Need? Do They Sleep a Lot (2024)

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Got a Sheltie pup? You know they sleep more than you, but why?

Shelties need lots of sleep to grow, heal, and store energy. Expect 12-20 hours a day, especially when young!

Don’t worry, they’re not lazy. Sleep’s vital for their wellbeing. You’ll see them sleep in funny positions too, like on their backs with paws up.

Read on to learn why Shelties catch so many zzz’s and how you can help yours sleep well.

How Many Hours Do Shelties Sleep?

Adult Shelties typically sleep 12-14 hours per day, while Sheltie puppies sleep even longer at 18-19 hours.

As puppies grow, their sleep needs decrease.

Sheltie puppies require frequent napping throughout the day to support their rapid growth and development.

At around 3 months, establish a sleep training routine with set nap times and a nighttime routine.

Ensure your Sheltie puppy has a quiet, comfortable sleeping environment with soft bedding.

Shelties love sleeping near their owners for security.

Allow your puppy to find restful sleeping positions like curled up or on their side.

Meet your puppy’s high sleep needs now for a well-rested, healthy Sheltie down the road.

With proper rest, your energetic Sheltie will have the stamina for all those bursts of play and cuddles.

Why Do Sheltie Puppies Require More Sleep?

As you’re raising your Sheltie pup, you’ll notice they’re catching some serious Z’s pretty much all day long.

Their little bodies need all that sleep to develop properly.

Those long napping sessions are crucial for your puppy’s ongoing physical and neurological growth.

During sleep, your puppy’s central nervous system, immune function, and muscles develop.

Shelties experience rapid growth in their first year, so they require frequent sleep to support muscle growth and tissue repair.

Shelty puppies also haven’t yet built up energy reserves, so they tire out more quickly.

To support healthy development, be sure your Sheltie puppy can nap undisturbed during the day.

Creating a safe, comforting space will allow your pup the uninterrupted sleep periods needed for proper sleep development, immune function, muscle growth, and to recharge their batteries multiple times a day.

Importance of Sleep for Shelties

You’re developing properly when you get enough sleep as a Sheltie pup.

Quality sleep sets Shelties up for success.

As a puppy, prioritize naps and nighttime sleep to fuel your rapid development.

Sleep tight, little one!

Do Shelties Sleep During the Day?

The continuation of proper rest finds Shelties catching Z’s whenever you’re not looking.

Daytime napping and midday snoozing are quite common for our furry friends.

Sheltie siestas and afternoon slumbers pepper their daily agenda between play sessions, training, walks, and meals.

Both puppies and adults partake in some daytime resting.

When	Why
Morning	Following breakfast and early play, puppies need an energy recharge.
Midday	Avoiding the hot sun while owners are away at work.
Afternoon	Prepping for evening play and training.
Evening	Gearing up for long nighttime sleep.

Sheltie puppies in particular require frequent daytime sleep to aid their rapid development.

Pups simply pass out when they’ve hit their physical limit.

Support your Sheltie’s overall health by allowing both nighttime and daytime sleeping.

Sheltie Sleeping Locations and Positions

Your Sheltie prefers sleeping right next to you, whether that’s on the floor, in your bed, or anywhere they can feel safe, secure, and comfortable.

As loving companions, Shelties cherish snuggling up in cozy corners near their trusted humans.

They feel most at ease snoozing belly-up when you’re around, demonstrating ultimate trust and comfort in your presence.

However, be mindful of potential risks like rolling over or falling off beds.

If you cherish nighttime companionship with your pup, provide a dog bed on the floor for secure, protected slumber.

This allows closeness while prioritizing their safety and restful sleep – so critical for proper development.

With thoughtful accommodation of their preference to sleep beside you, your Sheltie puppy will thrive.

Shelties Sleeping on Their Backs

When sleeping on their backs, your sheltie is signaling it feels extremely comfortable and trusts you completely. This position leaves their belly exposed and legs in the air in a posture of total vulnerability.

If your sheltie snoozes in this relaxed sleep stance, take it as a sign they feel utterly protected and cared for in your home.

While other curled-up positions conserve body heat and provide alertness, back sleeping prioritizes comfort over caution. When shelties flip belly up, it conveys profound ease and trust in their surroundings.

Different Sheltie Sleeping Positions

Seeing your sheltie puppy sleeping on their back likely means they’re super relaxed with their guard down.

This instinctual position allows for belly cooling since dogs can only sweat through their paw pads.

It also indicates your pup feels completely safe and secure, trusting you to protect them while in this vulnerable state.

You may also notice your sheltie sleeping curled up in a ball, stretched out on their stomach, or flopped over on their side.

These positions provide different levels of comfort.

Curled up is best for staying warm and on alert while stretched out indicates they’re fully at ease.

Finding which positions your sheltie prefers can help you ensure their sleeping accommodations are optimized for comfort.

An extra cozy dog bed or a spot on the sofa to snooze near their beloved owner does wonders.

Helping Your Sheltie Sleep Well

One way you can help ensure your Sheltie gets good sleep is by providing them with a comfortable place to sleep that makes them feel safe and secure.

Establishing a calming bedtime routine signals to your pup it’s time to wind down and get cozy.

Make their sleeping area inviting with soft, clean bedding that retains their natural body heat.

Gentle sleep training can teach them to settle at night.

Keep the environment peaceful by minimizing light and noise disturbances.

Use soothing techniques like gentle brushing or light massage before bed.

Getting enough daytime activity and play helps tire them out for rested nighttime sleep.

Monitor your Sheltie puppy’s sleep patterns to ensure they get the ample 18-19 hours their developing bodies require.

Helping them achieve deep, restorative sleep sets up good lifelong habits.

Average Hours of Sleep for Dogs

You’re likely wondering how long dogs tend to sleep overall.

On average, adult dogs sleep around 12-14 hours per day, while puppies require 15-20 hours of slumber to support their development.

A dog’s sleep quality and patterns are impacted by environmental factors like temperature, noise levels, and lighting.

Providing a restful environment helps facilitate healthy sleep training as your puppy ages.

Curled up positions conserve warmth and provide security to meet instincts from their ancestral days in the wild.

Ultimately, the amount of sleep a sheltie puppy needs varies by age but averages 18-19 hours to properly rest their growing bodies and minds.

Ensuring proper rest sets your pup up for better health as they mature.

Providing Comfort for Healthy Sleep

After learning about average hours of sleep for dogs, let’s explore how you can provide comfort for your Sheltie puppy’s healthy slumber.

As social creatures who bond intensely with their people, Shelties crave snuggling up close while sleeping. You’ll enjoy many precious moments bonding over pup pillow talk as your fluffy friend dozes by your side.

To maximize cozy comfort, offer dog beds featuring soft, washable materials placed near you. Experiment with different textures like faux fur or microsuede until you discover your pup’s favorite for dreamy slumber.

Your efforts will be rewarded with a healthy, happy Sheltie pup getting all the rest they need.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)