So what are the secrets to a canine-coordinated bedtime routine? How can you help an anxious dog find the respite they need?Let’s find out.

The importance of bedtime routine

A dog that knows what’s expected of it is usually a happy and well-behaved dog. And that’s not just during the daylight hours either. 

If your dog understands, either from a young age or at any point in their life, that they will have a period of 8-10 hours of uninterrupted sleep time, or times when they are expected to be calm and nap, their body will adjust to this rhythm. That means no more midnight playtimes in the hallway or howling for 4 am potty breaks (unless they are a very young puppy of course.) It will also mean you have a dog that is well-rested, adequately adjusted and happy to fit into your life. 

So if you're in the habit of interrupting this time, or constantly mixing up your wind-down schedule, you might want to consider establishing a more consistent routine.As dog’s are creatures of habit, they’ll no doubt benefit from more stability in this area.

This isn’t to say working a night shift is out of the question, just that a schedule of some kind, no matter the timings, will hugely benefit your dog’s (and your) sleep. 

Anxious dogs, especially, benefit from routine. For separation-related issues, consistency is one way to manage your dog’s stress and continuously remind them that you will return. A dog that is unsure can find calm in a routine. 

Implementing a routine

The first stepto implementing a successful bedtime routine is to get a handle on your timings. 

When would a “sleep time”and “wake up time”work for your household and dog? If someone has a night shift, is there a way they can come in without disturbing your pooch? Or, if that’s your schedule, why not have your dog join you in going to sleep and rising early too? 

Dogs are actually polyphasic sleepers. This means they can sleep at most times of the day,usually needing around 12-14 hours. If it works to split this up into long naps, that’s fine - the below advice will still help in implementing this. For most owners, they might prefer their dog to do most of this kipping overnight, in line with their own habits.

Once you have a timeline down, here’s how to implement some structure into your shut-eye periods:

• Wind-down playtime- Within a few hours of the sleep time, avoid playingwith, exercising or riling up your dog in any way. Especially for young or high-energy dogs, switching off isn’t as easy for them as it can be for us, and they’ll need to slowly come down to a relaxed state. This doesn’t mean they will be bored though, as you can give them a chew, a snuffle mat or do some focused training to wind them down too. The key is keeping the energy at a calm, relaxed state. 

• Last potty break- Tail off food and water, making sure your dog has had adequate time to digest before they hit the hay. Right before bed, make sure your dog has a last potty break to avoid any unwanted accidents. Soon your dog will begin to understand that this is the time to go! 

• Cozy space - Create a calming, den-like space for your dog to encourage deep sleep. Either fill a crate with blankets and drape one over the top, or put your dog bed in a secluded spot that’s relatively lowly lit and undisturbed.

• Sharing the bed?- If your dog sleeps with you, then they may well be on your schedule already. If your schedule is somewhat erratic though, consider setting your dog up in a separate space to help them get that all-important uninterrupted sleep. Remember that consistency is key- and if you need to teach your dog that from now on, the bed is an invite only space (on Sunday mornings maybe) then make this transition slowly and start as you mean to go on, setting them up with their own space to sleep.

• Exercise - If you’d like your dog to keep their sleeping to the nighttime, and not wake you up with any after dark activities, you’ll want to keep them active during the day. This might mean a little extra walk in the afternoon, or a play session during your mid morning coffee. Keeping your dog engaged, rather than letting them snooze the day away, will help them get that deeper rest you need at night time. 

Anxious Dogs- May also benefit from something of yours nearby, especially if you are trying to improve their routine with a bit of distance. Place an old t-shirt in with their bedding as a comforter to help. 

New Additions - Puppies probably won’t sleep through the night until they are around four or five months old. This is due to a variety of factors, such as an undeveloped bladder and general maturity.So be aware that your routine might have to be flexible to begin with, including those 4am potty breaks!