How Much Do Golden Retrievers Sleep? Tips and advice

Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds in America. How much do Golden retrievers sleep? How long is their average nap length, and how often should they be napping? How much rest per night does a Golden Retriever need to grow and stay healthy! These are all questions that pet owners ask themselves when they have a new Golden Retriever at home. We hope this blog post answers these questions and more, so you can get your dog sleeping better today!

Puppy Golden Retrievers usually sleep 18-20 hours, Adult Golden’s sleep 10 – 12 hours a day, and senior golden retrievers sleep just as much as puppies. It’s not uncommon for our sleepy friends to be resting for a big part of the day either. But, there is also that concern about something being wrong. If you believe that there are some underlying health issues that you may or may not be aware of, it’s always best to check with a vet. If everything is clear health-wise, and your puppy or adult golden retriever is sleeping too much still and causing problems at night – read on; we have some tricks for you.

Table of Contents

Why Is My Golden Retriever Sleeping So Much?
Why is it important to have a well-rested dog in your family?
How much should Golden Retriever puppies sleep?
Why does a Golden Retriever sleep so much?
1. Lights Out – Protect Their Circadian Rhythm
How do I train my golden retriever to sleep at night?
Are Golden Retrievers Lazy?
What is Normal Sleep Behaviour for my Golden?
1. Finding The Best Sleeping Solution
How to make your golden retriever sleep at night?
How Much Do Golden Retrievers Sleep Conclusion

Why Is My Golden Retriever Sleeping So Much?

Dogs spend most of their days sleeping – but why? Do you notice that your Golden Retriever is sleeping all day and causing issues for your family in one way or another? It could be that they need more daily enrichment or exercise. According to totallygoldens.com, they say that Goldens should get about an hour of physical exercise per day. Their exercise should consist of:

Agility Training
Walks, Hikes, Jogs
Swimming
Hiding Treats
Tug-of-War
Puzzle Toys

Beyond physical exercise, your pup should also be using their brain by playing search and find games, solving puzzles, and anything that makes them problem solve. Their breed makes excellent therapy dogs – they are working dogs. Also, golden retrievers puppies, and any large dog size really, has the habit of needing more sleep. They are growing and learning every day, which takes a lot of physical and mental energy out of them! It’s a good thing, though, unless their appetites or something else about them seems off. But generally, sleeping lots is normal. If you fill up their activities in a day, they may want to sleep consistently through the night.

Why is it important to have a well-rested dog in your family?

Pets that do not get enough sleep can have mood swings and abrasive behavior.
Sleep is an extremely important cycle in the life of pets. After a bad night’s sleep, they may not have enough energy to get up and roam or exercise their body like usual, which can lead to long-term health problems like obesity.
Aside from providing your pet with adequate food, exercise, and healthcare, allowing them sufficient sleep can help reduce their feelings of anxiety.
Golden Retrievers need a regular amount of rest to ensure the body maintains its natural functions.

Sleeping all day can make your pup more prone to staying awake at night.

How much should Golden Retriever puppies sleep?

Golden Retrievers puppies are full of energy. They like to wander around and explore new things. They burn a lot of energy! That’s why you’ll see them napping throughout the day. So don’t feel alarmed if you see them sleep around 20 hours a day. It’s natural.
They need this rest for healthy growth and to develop their immune system and muscles.
It’s an excellent idea to crate-train them early on; they feel safe in a crate. Make sure you have comfortable bedding and a crate cover.
Golden Retriever puppies don’t sleep throughout the night; around 6 hours. This is because they need to get up for pee breaks.

Why does a Golden Retriever sleep so much?

It’s a natural thing for a large breed such as a Golden Retriever to sleep longer hours. They love and need to exercise daily. So the reason you see your four-legged friend sleeping during the day is either that you are not giving them enough exercise and they’re bored out of their mind or exhausted.
Growing puppies sleep longer because they’re developing and are very active, so they get tired fast.
They sleep longer in warmer weather.

Lights Out – Protect Their Circadian Rhythm

Like us humans, melatonin, a hormone affected by the amount of light in the environment, influences your pup’s sleep-wake cycle.

Melatonin is a sleep-inducing hormone, and its production goes up when the lights go down.

So turn off the lights in the room where your pup is sleeping. Also, Cell phones, tablets, and TV screens, too. Any light hitting their eyes and keeps particular clocks on in their bodies needs to be turning off for the night.

How do I train my golden retriever to sleep at night?

Most Golden Retriever puppies sleep well through the night by 16 weeks old. Puppies need a lot of sleep to grow big and strong, so we need to make sure they get plenty! Depending on the dog, they may sleep all day or stay awake all night. But you can help curb that habit and get your Golden to sleep all night sooner!

Feed your Golden Retriever at least an hour before bedtime, and withhold water for 30 minutes before bedtime.
Let your puppy have a bathroom break immediately before crating at night so that he can hold it all night.
A young dog may be able to make it up until morning without having another potty break, while an older dog will need to take breaks throughout the night.

Dogs are creatures of habit. If you adopt a routine, your dog will start to anticipate when certain events might happen and get excited in advance just from the thought of what may be coming next.

Accustom your puppy to your routine as soon as you can. This will help them understand what is expected of them every day and show that what your day normally looks like.

To help your Golden Retriever learn when to go potty outside, be sure to take them out promptly after they’ve eaten or as soon as you wake up in the morning. This will let the puppy know that these are ways to go potty rather than doing it inside.

Are Golden Retrievers Lazy?

Golden Retrievers are not lazy, but they sometimes need a little encouragement to be more active.

They’re usually quieter and easier going than other dog breeds.

It’s difficult for people who don’t know the breed well to tell if their Golden is lazy or just taking it easy!

What is Normal Sleep Behaviour for my Golden?

So that you can get an idea of what’s expected: Golden Retriever puppies begin sleeping through the night around 4 – 12 months of age/16 weeks. Like any other warm-blooded mammal, goldens need a consistent light routine; roughly 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness – give or take. Light begins the cycle of their circadian rhythms and fuels the functionality and beginning of our body’s functions, including the brain, digestive system, and nervous system. According to sleep.com, dogs need to rest, recharge, and repair – no matter how old or how big they are.

Finding The Best Sleeping Solution

The comfiest bed you’ve ever imagined for your dog that they can’t wait to cuddle up in. One that fits inside their crate or right in the middle of your bedroom. The end goal is something that your dog loves to be in, is comfortable in, and is going to sleep in it every night.

How to make your golden retriever sleep at night?

Dogs take their cue from humans. This means that they will sleep the same amount on a holiday like any other day of the year. They have no special knowledge about what day it is and so they don’t know to sleep more or less because of it.

To provide your pup with the ultimate comfort, start by picking a perfect spot for them to sleep. This can be anything from an orthopedic dog bed, a comfy blanket on the floor or in their crate! Next, invite your furry friend into this particular space and give it some treats or one of their favorite toy- after all, they deserve it too!

Some extra pettings and cuddles can be a helpful tip that makes your pup feel more comfortable. This is especially useful for dogs who can’t sleep in unfamiliar areas or just adopted from rescue groups. Those pets often experience some level of anxiety when forced into new spaces.

Get your dog to sleep with a bit of exercise. A walk or some time playing will do the trick, but puppies need more activity than adults, and elderly dogs require even less energy for restful slumber.

Dogs love to exercise, and a good run is the best way to wear them out. Playing fetch or hanging with other dogs in the park can also make for an energetic workout.

If your pet is still unable to sleep, try providing a nightlight, the TV, or a ticking clock in the same room. The rhythmic sound of the clock mimics their mother’s heartbeat and helps them feel calm and relaxed.

How Much Do Golden Retrievers Sleep Conclusion

Golden Retrievers sleep a lot, no matter how old they are. If their behavior, appetite, or bowel movements have changed, this is cause to see a veterinarian. Their sleep is affected by how much physical exertion they experience during the day and how well they exercise their brains. Also, what they eat, how big they are, and how much sunlight reached their eyeballs that day.

Give them lots of those things during the day, and see if their nighttime habits change – allowing you and your family to get more sleep consistently.

And don’t forget to get the best dog bed for your Golden Retriever.