How to Get Your Dog to Take A Nap

I’ll be honest, when I first brought Freya home at 8 weeks old, I thought puppy life was going to be snuggles and playtime. Instead, it was nonstop mayhem and not a single nap in sight. I thought I was ready for puppy life. Oh, was I wrong.

Those first weeks were chaos. She had zoomies in every room, chewed on furniture (I no longer own a coffee table) and her favorite toy, my arms, and seemed powered by an endless energy supply (maybe she’s solar powered?). I kept waiting for her to crash like a toddler. Nope. If Freya had her way, she’d play from sunrise to sundown without stopping.

And here’s the truth: a puppy without naps is a disaster. The biting got harder, the tantrums got louder, and she basically turned into a furry toddler on a sugar rush.

Meanwhile, I was running on fumes. I couldn’t get work done, couldn’t relax, and felt guilty for being frustrated with this little ball of love I’d just rescued. That’s when it hit me, puppies don’t always put themselves down for naps. Sometimes, like kids, they need structure to help them rest. Which according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), puppies need 18-20 hours of sleep a day.

Once I accepted that naps weren’t just going to magically happen, I had to get serious about it. Freya wasn’t going to slow down on her own, so I needed to give her the tools and structure to actually rest. That meant experimenting, messing up a few times, and finally landing on a few tricks that made all the difference.

Create a Nap Space

Every dog needs a spot that feels safe and calm. For some, that’s a cozy dog bed in the corner. For others, it’s a sunny couch cushion (Freya definitely thinks she runs on solar). For us, the crate became the go-to, it gave her a quiet, dark place to recharge before round two of puppy chaos began.

If you do use a crate, keep it positive: toss treats inside, play silly in-and-out games, add a blanket or toy, and even a T-shirt with your scent. Over time, the crate became Freya’s happy place, not a punishment.

A few ground rules helped us succeed:

• Never as punishment. The nap spot must always feel safe.

• Tired first. Potty and play before rest makes naps easier.

• Comfort counts. Frozen goodies, chew toys, or a lick mat and a comfy bed or blanket made downtime feel like a reward.

• Know their limits. Puppies can only hold their bladder for about an hour per month of age, plus one.

Timing and Routines

Freya thrived once I stuck to a rhythm: play, potty, nap, repeat. But,  Life happens, I wasn’t perfect with my schedule, but the more consistent I was, the faster she caught on.

At first, I guided her into naps every couple of hours. By 16 weeks, she even started walking herself into her crate when she was ready to crash. Watching her make that choice felt like a tiny miracle.

Nap Cues

Dogs pick up on patterns quickly. I built little signals that told Freya it was time to wind down: dimming the lights, closing the blinds, putting on calming music, and offering a frozen treat or her favorite squeaky toy. Before long, she knew once I started dimming the light and closing blinds, it was time to take a nap.

Patience (for Both of Us)

This was the hardest part. I had to remind myself to celebrate every small step: sniffing the crate, lying down for a few seconds, or simply staying calm. I treated nap training like teaching a trick, layering small successes until it clicked. Puppies don’t learn overnight, and expecting too much too soon only set me up for frustration. Patience and consistency were everything.

Wrap-Up

Teaching Freya to nap, or what I like to call “forced napping”, has been a lifesaver for both of us. When she rests, I can rest too. I can work, relax, or even get a few chores done (though she still insists on “helping” me sweep).

The biggest difference? Her temperament. After a nap, she’s calmer, the biting isn’t as hard, she listens a little better, and she’s just… happier. And honestly, so am I. For about three minutes after she wakes up, she’s the sweetest puppy on earth, before we’re off to round two.

I’m no dog trainer, just a guy who loves his pup and desperately needed some breaks from the chaos. But if I can get my high-energy, never-stop-playing puppy to nap, trust me, you can too.