Yes, many puppies get cranky when tired, and this can cause them to get barky, mouthy, nippy, and jumpy, and sometimes they may even act aggressively in certain circumstances.
Just like toddlers become cranky when they're low on sleep, puppies may act up when they're overtired in the form of biting, chewing, barking, or whining. Despite their daily bursts of energy, they actually need a lot of downtime; it's healthy for them to sleep more than 17 hours a day.
Young puppies need 16-18 hours of sleep each day. Much like a human baby or toddler, puppies get fussy and cranky when they are tired, but they don't yet have enough self-awareness to recognize they need a nap to feel better.
If your dog is sleepy, you can usually rouse them with their favorite treat. Or they might get up when they hear the doorbell. In contrast, a dog that is lethargic is probably not feeling well, so it's much harder for them to return to their normal behavior.
It's easy to assume the more you tire out a puppy, the better behaved they will be. After all, a tired puppy is a happy puppy, right? Well, to a point. While yes, it's important that your dog gets enough exercise and stimulation, too much without proper rest can lead to them being overtired.
While some puppies are more laid back than others, lethargy (low energy) is sometimes indicative of a health issue. Anything from an infection to pain to obesity can cause lethargy. If your puppy seems unusually lethargic, call your veterinarian to find out the root cause.
Notice if your pet is sleeping all-day. While they might take naps here and there, they shouldn't be sleeping 24/7. If they are sleeping more than usual and you've ruled out any potential health issues, then they are probably bored.
The “Witching Hour”
Many owners find that 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. bring out the worst in their puppies! If you know that a particular time of day prompts crazy biting, do your best to manage/prevent the behaviour and engage your puppy otherwise.
The phrase “Puppy Blues” refers to feelings of anxiety, depression, or both related to acquiring a dog under the age of one. Symptom severity may change daily, but overall, these feelings interfere with your ability to function daily. Nearly 70% of puppy owners reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, or both.
This schedule persists until about 20 weeks of age. As the dogs get older, sleep time is reduced to 13-15 hours. Thus, little puppies are awake for only 4-6 hours. This time is divided into different short chunks of time during which the puppy has time to play, eat, and do other things.
Puppies need a lot of rest. On average, they will sleep for between 15 and 20 hours a day and this is essential to their healthy development.
Like young children, puppies can easily become overstimulated which results in them becoming overtired.
The most challenging time of raising a puppy is the adolescent period. Dogs become “teenagers” and seem to forget everything they have ever been taught. This period is individual to each dog, but it may begin when he's about eight months old and continue until he's two years old.
The time period of 3-12 weeks of age for a dog is known as the socialization phase. Primary socialization takes place between 3-5 weeks and it is the most influential stage in a puppy's life relative to social behavior patterns and learning.
Mental stimulation is important for all dogs, but If you have a very intelligent dog, it is even more important to keep your dog entertained. This is especially true if you have a working-breed who doesn't have a 'job' to do.
If you have a puppy or adult dog who is unusually or suddenly quiet, you will want to contact your veterinarian immediately to rule out potential health reasons. These may include: Infection: Such as parvovirus, distemper, respiratory illnesses (such as bordetella/kennel cough), or gastrointestinal illnesses.
Just like a human child, your puppy's bones and joints need time to mature. If you over-exercise your puppy while they are growing, they might damage their growth plates and joints, which can lead to conditions such as early onset arthritis and hip dysplasia.
Your Dog's Exercise Tolerance
Most dogs can tolerate a daily 20–30-minute walk if they have a relatively good body condition. Dogs in great physical health can tolerate walks for up to two hours or go hiking for hours at a time.
Dogs need regular exercise for both their physical and mental wellbeing. Getting outside and going on walks gives them a chance to stretch their legs, have a good sniff and get some fresh air. Before letting your dog off-lead, just make sure you have trained them to come back when called.
“When running, their tail is up, mouth is open, and tongue is often hanging out. They may even bark to let you know how happy they are. Just remember to get out of the way!” Don't miss these other reasons behind your dog's weird behaviors.
Signs of Boredom in Puppies
A puppy that's bored when left alone in a fenced yard, for example, may turn to barking to burn off pent-up energy or just to hear the sound of its voice. Another dog may decide to dig its way under the backyard fence to seek more exciting things to do.
Puppies that run around and play too much can place a lot of stress on their growth plates. This stress could lead to bone deformations, which will cause long term issues. That's why it's important to split up exercise sessions, so your pup can have some time to recover.