A dog laying down for hours at a time is generally a normal behavior that should cause no concern. Similarly, a dog in bed sleeping is a common behavior in dogs, even if they have their own dog bed.
According to the American Kennel Club, dogs spend around half of the day asleep, 30% awake but relaxing and about 20% being active. So, it is normal for your dog to sleep or rest for a majority of the day. However, excessive sleep can be concerning for any pet owner.
"When your dog is chilling in his bed, that's a dog that is relaxing," Semel says. "It's exactly what it looks like." But perhaps the most surefire way to know if your dog is legitimately tuckered out or just bored out of his his mind is actually in your own mind.
I'm not suggesting your dog does nothing for an entire day. Most puppies and adult dogs will need at least some sort of physical or mental stimulation to ensure that we don't end up with boredom and the problems that can bring.
A dog's schedule should include time to eat, sleep, exercise, and spend quality time with their people.
Constantly bugging you to interact while you're trying to get some work done? In many cases, there is a simple explanation: your dog is bored! Dogs get bored just like we do, so it's important to provide them with exercise, training, interactive toys, and brain games to keep them busy and entertained.
“Some dogs will do better with more alone time than others,” he says. That said, for a general guideline, dogs should get a minimum of two hours of dedicated social time with humans or other dogs on a daily basis, which can be broken up into chunks of time over the course of the day.
Dogs like relaxing as much as humans do
In contrast, dogs spend most of their time at home and so value exercise off the property far more than time spent on the sofa. So, for dogs, a change is not just as good as a rest – it's much better.
In fact, it is usually nothing to worry about, and sometimes it's exactly what your dog needs! Sometimes a dog can't go for a walk due to health reasons. Whether it's an injury or an upset tummy, a day or more of rest is often necessary. We may also choose to skip a walk for behavioural reasons.
Your dog should understand that their place is on the floor where they are not equal to you. For the same reason you are discouraged from getting on the floor with your dog to play in “their territory,” you should not bring your dog into your territory.
Dogs don't need soft beds, but instead need to rest on a firm surface; too-soft pillow beds don't offer the support needed for comfortable rest and healthy joints, and an older dog who sinks into a plush bed may have trouble getting into and out of it. This doesn't mean he should sleep on the floor—that's too firm.
Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!
Feeding an hour or so before your walk means your pup will be full of healthy nutrients and won't be starving before walkies, helping them feel energized and ready to take on the park!
Leashing up first thing the AM can also help your pet's behavior throughout the day and make them more responsive to training (and help them burn off some of that seemingly endless energy). If you live in a cold-weather climate, morning walks may not be best for your older dogs.
Dogs have needs too: They have to eat, go to the bathroom, and spend time with their owner to be happy. Leaving dogs at home for long periods of time can result in loneliness and anxiety.
Indoor dogs are happy, but they need ample daily time outdoors to exercise, play and potty. Many domesticated dogs don't do well outdoors full-time and should be brought indoors overnight, at the very least.
Dogs are social and typically prefer to be with others. Some may always struggle with being alone. When a dog doesn't know how to self-soothe or cope, they may turn to chewing or clawing stuff around the house, or barking or howling. Learn more about treating canine separation anxiety.
Generally, there are three primary ways that you can tell when a dog needs your help: physiological changes, behavioral changes, and signs of pain or discomfort.
A great dog owner knows the details of their breed's needs, characteristics and temperament and treats them accordingly. The owner's and the dog's needs are similar so their lifestyles don't jar. Two walks a day? No problem.
Your furry friend might be thinking about their past and future, as studies suggest that they have their daily schedules on their mind all the time, so they might be looking forward to future events and reminiscing about a place or experience.
Typically, domestic dogs are diurnal animals, meaning they are more active during the day and sleep at night. However, there is controversy and debate about whether dogs are nocturnal, crepuscular, or genuinely diurnal animals. Dogs may be more active during the daytime because their human companions are around.