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Like a lighthouse guiding ships through stormy seas, this article will illuminate when your Shetland Sheepdog will finally sleep through the night.
We’ll discuss:
- Typical Sheltie sleep patterns
- What age they sleep through the night
- Crate training for better sleep
- Managing nighttime potty breaks
- Signs your Sheltie is ready for uninterrupted slumber
Sleepless nights with your energetic pup will soon be a distant memory.
Table Of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Typical Sheltie Sleep Patterns
- What Age Do Shelties Sleep Through the Night?
- Crate Training for Better Sleep
- Managing Nighttime Potty Breaks
- Signs Your Sheltie is Ready to Sleep Through the Night
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How much total sleep should my Sheltie puppy get daily?
- What are some tips for getting my Sheltie puppy to sleep during the day?
- Is it okay to let my Sheltie puppy sleep in bed with me at night?
- What should I do if my Sheltie puppy cries a lot at night?
- Are there any health issues that could prevent my Sheltie puppy from sleeping through the night?
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- Establish a consistent bedtime routine early on, including limiting food and water before bedtime and a final potty break.
- Take the puppy out for potty breaks during the night initially, phasing these out slowly over weeks and months.
- Use crate training to provide security and develop bladder control.
- Sheltie puppies can typically sleep through the night without potty breaks by 4 to 6 months old.
Typical Sheltie Sleep Patterns
- Typical Shetland Sheepdogs follow a sleep schedule of approximately 16-18 hours of sleep per day as puppies.
- This is normal for highly intelligent breeds like Shelties that need sufficient rest for their developing brains.
- Be prepared for your Sheltie puppy to sleep often throughout the day in addition to a long stretch overnight.
- Establish a calming bedtime routine early, limiting food and water before bed and providing a comfortable sleeping area.
- Shelties are prone to separation anxiety, so having their crate near you can ease worries about being alone at night.
- With patience and consistency in sleep training, your Sheltie will learn to sleep soundly through the night like an adult dog.
What Age Do Shelties Sleep Through the Night?
Coming from discussing typical Sheltie sleep patterns, now we look at what age Shelties start sleeping through the night.
Shelties are quick learners, so with proper sleep training, most Shelties can sleep through the night without potty breaks by 4-6 months old.
Establish a consistent bedtime routine early, including a final potty break right before bed.
Initially, you’ll need to take your pup out once during the night.
Slowly adjust this over weeks and months, phasing out middle-of-the-night potty breaks.
Shelties are emotional dogs, so be patient and use positive reinforcement.
With a loving yet consistent approach, your Sheltie can learn to sleep soundly through the night.
Crate Training for Better Sleep
One way to help your Sheltie sleep through the night is to crate train them so they feel secure and comfortable in their own space.
Crate training provides:
- A cozy den-like environment with blankets and toys
- Familiar scents from an old t-shirt or blanket
- A consistent nighttime routine
- Reduced anxiety and vocalization at bedtime
- A chance to develop good bladder control
With positive reinforcement training and establishing a consistent bedtime routine, your Sheltie can learn to settle in their crate at night.
Be patient during the training process and use your intuition to determine when your Sheltie is ready for longer stretches of uninterrupted sleep.
Most Shelties can sleep soundly through the night with proper crate training.
Managing Nighttime Potty Breaks
You’ll need to take your Sheltie puppy out for potty breaks during the night at first.
Be prepared to lose sleep over this as puppies have small bladders.
Set an alarm to take your puppy out every 2-3 hours.
Choose a designated potty spot and use a command like go potty.
Reward successes with praise and treats.
Over time, extend the duration between potty breaks as your puppy is able to hold it longer.
By around 16 weeks, a Sheltie puppy should be able to sleep through the night without needing a potty break as long as it empties its bladder right before bedtime.
Be patient and consistent with nighttime potty training to help your Sheltie puppy successfully transition to sleeping through the night.
Signs Your Sheltie is Ready to Sleep Through the Night
You’d know your sheltie’s ready to sleep through the night when it has bladder control for 6-8 hours.
Look for signs like going to bed without needing a late snack or potty break and not whining to be let out in the middle of the night.
Establishing a relaxing bedtime routine, providing a comfortable sleeping space, and positively reinforcing desired sleep behaviors can help your sheltie learn to sleep through the night.
Be patient, as each pup develops at a different pace.
With time, consistency, and training, your sheltie will transition from nighttime potty breaks to sleeping soundly from bedtime to morning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much total sleep should my Sheltie puppy get daily?
On average, Sheltie puppies need 18-20 hours of sleep per day until they reach 12 weeks old.
Provide ample nap time and quiet time in the crate to help your puppy get the proper amount of rest for healthy growth and development.
What are some tips for getting my Sheltie puppy to sleep during the day?
Try to enforce naptimes during the puppy’s natural sleep periods.
Provide a quiet, dark area like the crate with a comfy bed.
Stick to a schedule with regular feeding, play, and potty times to help regulate the puppy’s sleep cycle.
Is it okay to let my Sheltie puppy sleep in bed with me at night?
Allowing your Sheltie puppy to sleep in your bed is not recommended.
While tempting, this can lead to separation anxiety and other behavioral issues down the road.
Be patient and stick to crate training at night for your puppy’s wellbeing.
What should I do if my Sheltie puppy cries a lot at night?
You’re in for some long nights, friend.
Sheltie puppies can cry like banshees when young as they adjust to new routines and environments.
Stay consistent with:
- Scheduled potty breaks
- Calming bedtime routines
- Crate training
The cries will diminish as your puppy learns night means sleep, not play.
Patience and persistence now prevents longer-term issues.
Are there any health issues that could prevent my Sheltie puppy from sleeping through the night?
Yes, health issues could prevent your Sheltie puppy from sleeping through the night.
Urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal issues, parasites, and growing pains may disrupt sleep.
Consult your vet if the puppy continues waking frequently after 12 weeks old.
Conclusion
You’ll soon revel in blissful, uninterrupted slumber as your Sheltie transitions to sleeping through the night.
Like clockwork, your pup will snooze soundly as you slumber, no longer needing middle-of-the-night potty breaks.
Around 4-6 months of age, Shelties sleep through the night, letting exhausted owners finally rest easy.
With proper crate training and management, you’ll be shocked at how quickly your energetic fuzzball learns to sleep soundly from dusk till dawn.
Before you know it, your Sheltie will be sleeping through the night like a log!
