10-week-old puppy - how much sleep?

[Murphys Law]

When Murphy was younger he wouldn't sleep at all unless it was enforced. At the end of the night he would collapse and I could pick himup and carry him up stairs without even waking him. We were not very good at reading the signs at first and had a terrible time with him. Once we realised that he was over tired (and not needing more exercise to tire him out) it all started to click into place.

[Sarahingarforth]

Thanks this last post seems to make sense. She doesn't seem to want to go to bed through choice, but put her in and nine times out it 10 she zonks out!

S

[Bunbury]

Once we realised that he was over tired (and not needing more exercise to tire him out) it all started to click into place.

This is exactly right - took us a few days to realise this though!  As we don't have children we have no experience of newborns so it came as something of a surprise to us.

We never wake Larkin up and also start slowing him down a bit ready to get him back to sleep after about 1.5 hours now.  I also read somewhere that 60% of the time the puppy is awake you should leave them to amuse themselves.  We started doing this instead of feeling that one of us has got to be doing something with him all the time e.g. we will cook together while he toddles about around our feet rather than one of us cooking while the other entertains him.

Most times this calms him and, after a bit, he quite often just sits between (or on!) the feet of whichever of us has stood still for 2 minutes and then falls asleep 

[Murphys Law]

It took us a couple of months to suss things out. Coming from the most docile dog on the planet (Rusty the cavalier ) to a hyper bitey cocker was a culture shock of epic proportions. I must admit that things didn't go very well for those first months and if it wasn't for the help on here and people telling me that things would get better I don't think that Murphy would have lasted in our house.

I blame myself totally for this though. If I ever (hopefully) get another cocker I will be so much better prepared for it.

[Sarahingarforth]

Thanks again. I'll try the not over-entertaining as I think we may be guilty of this at the moment. And good to know that others have found the first few weeks and months challenging - I've been feeling like the worst pet-owner on the planet - hands up, I'll admit I've found it hard at times! X

[Bunbury]

Thanks again. I'll try the not over-entertaining as I think we may be guilty of this at the moment. And good to know that others have found the first few weeks and months challenging - I've been feeling like the worst pet-owner on the planet - hands up, I'll admit I've found it hard at times! X

I've also found it really hard going at times, particularly at first, but things are definitely improving after reading up on other peoples experiences and putting their tips into practice.

If possible, try to also make time for yourself if you've not already.  I have struggled to 'switch off' even when Larkin is asleep (I'm in the house on my own with him in the daytime) but have just been out for a 20 minute walk while he slept.  This was the first time he's been in the house on his own (in his crate) and I was terrified!  I know that is silly though, as he has never yet slept for less than an hour, and it's more likely to be 2 hours and what could possibly happen in 20 minutes to do him serious harm? Still felt like I was bunking off though 

[Merbury]

Hello, my pup Sparrow is now 9 weeks and she sleeps and sleeps and sleeps. I also began by making the error of constantly entertaining her when awake. Also, if she was sleeping and woke I would take her out and play with her thinking she was now alert, but actually I now find that sometimes it is better to take her out then return her to her playpen with a toy or chew and she goes straight back to sleep.

We are slowly getting into a pattern. She wakes at 6am and is perky until around 9am and then she gets a bit OTT, so I pop her in her playpen and she will sleep 2-3hours. Then she wakes at dinnertime and I try to do some socialising with her (today we went to a teashop in the park and she sat on my lap), she will then sleep another 2-3 hours. In fact today she slept 2.5 hours, woke up, had tea and then got really naughty and chased the cat. I popped her back in her playpen and she has crashed out again.

I completely forgot just how much sleep a puppy needs (my older boys are 3 and 6), and even when she is awake I am now letting her quietly play with toys rather than try to over-excite her.

Must admit I have wondered on occasion what I have let myself in for!

[Sarahingarforth]

Thanks Merbury. I know what you mean about over-playing. I'm trying to get Poppy to play a bit more on her own as she seems to be getting a bit clingy and it can be impossible to get anything done without putting her in her pen!

She stills seems pretty active though! X

[Mudmagnets]

Have you tried a treat ball - one she can knock around to get the treats out of till she gets tired.She could play with it in her pen.

I use/d Fish4dogs star treats in Minstrel's and he still loves kicking it about either on his own or we have a game of footy together.

[Sarahingarforth]

Thanks Mudmagnets I might try that. I tried a Kong but she just didn't seem interested but a ball might be a different challenge! X

[Mudmagnets]

Not a prob, I use biscuits as apposed to soft fillings as obviously the biscuity treats will rattle when the ball is moved 

I also bought him a wiggly giggly ball, but because it makes a noise, may well make your little one more alert - not good if you are trying to get her to nod off, lol