Some puppies can run from sunrise to dusk without napping. It seems like they never tire, yet that may not be the case. If you can tell when your puppy is too tired, you can stop problems like aggression and injuries from happening. So, what does it look like when a puppy is overtired?
Typical signs of a puppy’s tiredness include crying, biting, panting, licking, chasing you around, behavioral problems, and sleepiness. There is no doubt that not every puppy will display the same symptoms. Some puppies may howl while others follow you around the house.
Puppies may seem to have boundless energy, but it is possible to over-exercise them!
What Is Overtiredness in Puppies?
The condition known as “overtiredness” in puppies is an extreme form of being weary or tired. An overtired puppy is more likely to become lethargic, have slower response times, and even have difficulty learning new information and remembering it.
A poor night’s sleep or skipping naps or rests might cause a puppy to become overtired, particularly if this occurs often. An overtired puppy runs the risk of being irritable or aggressive, and they may even damage themselves or others. They are also less likely to learn and are more prone to experience accidents during housetraining.
Common Signs Your Puppy Is Overtired (Overtired Puppy Symptoms)
If your puppy is behaving tired, it should not be difficult to determine this. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a tired and overworked puppy is essential. You should allow your puppy some time to rest and recover if they are not just tired but drained.
The following is a list of common signs that a puppy is overtired:
Panting
When a puppy begins to pant, it might be due to its pacing or because its tongue is as out of control as the rest of its body. However, this is a typical sign that they need to sleep.
Loses Self Control
Lack of self-control is another thing to look out for. Noise and activity can weary and irritate puppies, causing them to lose self-control and growl or bite.
Health Issues
If you observe a change in the way that they move or breathe, this may indicate that they are experiencing a health problem brought on by being overtired. Overexcited puppies may suffer hip and cardiac issues as their bodies try to relax.
Yawning
This is the most obvious sign that your dog is tired. You can tell when a dog is uncomfortable and worn out because it will yawn.
Delayed Responses and Forgetting Commands
In most cases, when a puppy is overtired, they respond more slowly to the many activities around them and to the stimuli that come from the outside world. You may or may not get a response if you call them.
It might be hard to know if your puppy is stubborn or if it can’t follow your orders. If your puppy has forgotten the basic commands, he’s probably tired and needs a rest.
Lays Down
If your normally hyperactive puppy is lying down, you can safely assume they are tired. This is especially true if you own a puppy that tends to be overexcited. But just because they’re lying down doesn’t imply they’re comfortable or getting the rest they need.
Gets Distracted Easily
During training, detecting if your puppy is easily distracted is simple since they walk off and don’t seem motivated or focused. It’s possible they’ll become distracted by odors and start to follow a scent when they’re too sleepy to concentrate properly.
Hyperactivity
Although it may appear unusual, it has been observed that when puppies become overtired, they become more active than before. When a puppy gets tired, cortisol comes in and makes them uncontrollable. It may be quite difficult to quiet them down after this amount of activity, and it can be much more challenging to persuade them to sleep despite their tiredness.
Why Does My Dog Always Have to Be Touching Me?
Why Is Over Tiredness Bad for a Puppy?
There are numerous reasons why you should avoid letting your puppy become overtired regularly.
- First, it’s “unhealthy” because they’re missing sleep, where the magic happens.
- Second, and more crucially, overtiredness affects the bond between a puppy and its owner.
Tired pups are far more difficult to deal with than tired children. When dealing with such a puppy, an owner will require more patience and experience less delight than usual. If something like this keeps happening, it will put significant pressure on the relationship.
What to Do About an Overtired Puppy?
However, falling asleep when a puppy is overtired might be challenging. Do you remember the sudden release of cortisol we discussed in relation to hyperactivity? This will make your puppy jump about and play wildly, and it may also prevent them from going to sleep when they should. Your best chance in this situation is to make an effort to put them at ease. You may either have them lie down or sit and give them gentle, gentle stroking or you can place them in a dark, quiet room where they can be alone.
The greatest way to assist an overtired puppy in relaxing is to avoid overtiredness from occurring in the first place. It’s easier said than done unless you recognize the symptoms your puppy is tired.
- Yawning or sneezing
- Trying to walk away from an activity
- Lack of motivation
- Walking or playing slowly
If you make sure that your puppy gets the necessary amount of rest before they become overtired, you will be able to avoid some of the undesirable behaviors and potential overtired puppy symptoms that are associated.
You may also make an effort to assist them in sleeping better to ensure that they are well-rested for the upcoming day. Maintaining a constant sleeping pattern will help get them the necessary amount of sleep.
Exercise is also essential to a puppy’s ability to sleep soundly. Ensure they have plenty of play, walks, and training every day to weary them to sleep, but not so much that they get overtired. Follow brief workout or play sessions with rest time.
How Much Sleep Does a Puppy Need?
On average, a puppy will sleep between 18 and 20 hours daily. They are relaxing for a portion of the time. However, it is typical for pups to sleep for more than 20 hours a day, rest, and do nothing at all.
Therefore, a puppy should only be active for four to six hours daily! This includes bathroom breaks, playing, feeding, walking, etc.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) at Nation Taiwan University,Master of Science (M.S.) in Biomedical Engineering at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
