I still remember, years ago, when I first brought my beagle home, I was so excited to play with him. We did play for around half an hour, but then he found a corner and dozed off. I waited for an hour for him to wake up, then waited for another hour. Then he did wake up but peed and slept again. Well, I was a newbie then. If you have a beagle and even you have had such a question, then let’s find out why does your beagle sleep so much?
Beagles are an active and energetic breed. They spend most of their time sleeping to rebuild their muscles and gain energy. It’s natural for an adult beagle to sleep 10 to 12 hours daily. Puppies and older beagles get tired easily and need more sleep.
How much sleep do Beagle puppies need?
Beagles do sleep a lot, especially when they are puppies. Adult beagles can sleep for around 12 hours a day, while puppies can sleep for around 18 hours a day. Active beagles spend more energy, and hence they can sleep even more.
My beagle is exceptionally active, especially during the day. Beagles are very, very playful when they are awake. In fact, they tend to expend loads of energy. I guess that is precisely why they need more rest. After all, that’s how babies regain their stamina.
The one thing I have learned is that beagle puppies shouldn’t be kept awake for more than 4 or 5 hours. They need adequate sleep for proper growth. They play, eat, and sleep in bursts, so pet parents have to be very careful.
How much sleep do adult Beagles need?
An adult beagle should get between 10 to 12 hours of sleep every day. Beagles spend around 50% of their day sleeping, 30% lying down awake, and 20% being active. As they get old, they become flexible sleepers. Even a pin drop can wake them, and they could go back to sleep within a few seconds. Older dogs, if left to their own devices, will eat and sleep much more than what is needed. You must train your dog and set a proper timetable. Your pet should get enough exercise, playtime, and walks. In fact, it is very normal for your dog to take short power naps.
How to Sleep train your Beagle?
Well, beagles do have a strange sleeping pattern that can disturb your routine. It is necessary to sleep train your beagle according to your schedule so that you and your dog can have the maximum time to spend together.
Your main goal is to create a routine for your dog and act accordingly. In this way, sooner or later, your dog will get used to your routine. This is how your dog’s routine should look like:
Step 1: Exercise
I think you already know how much energy beagles have when they are awake. So take them out for long walks daily. You can play fetch with them or take them swimming. This will drain them up and help them sleep better at night.
Step 2: Meals
Feed your pet at the same time every day. Make a routine and feed them according to it.
Step 3: Toilet
Dogs don’t sleep if they want to go to the toilet. So take them outside before you go to bed. This will help your dog understand his sleeping schedule.
Step 4: Playtime
In your free time, play with them, and teach them some tricks and commands. Here are some tricks you can teach your beagle.
Step 5: Greet your Beagle
Greet your beagle with ‘Good Morning’ as soon as you wake up and ‘Good Night’ before you go to sleep. A habit of greeting them in the good morning will give them an assurance that you will be there to greet them in the morning. This will make them more relaxed during the night.
Relevant Questions
Do other dog breeds also have similar sleep patterns?
It’s not just a beagle that sleeps so much. Other dogs especially hunting breeds, also rest a lot. There are occasions when you feel that all your pet does is sleep. I decided to delve a bit deeper into this. A vet told me that certain pet parents find it tough to understand the benefit that animals get from sleep. Researchers still aren’t sure as to why beagles or, for that matter, other dogs need so much sleep. Some think that dogs enter the REM cycle of sleep ten percent of the time they sleep. They probably need more rest so they can rejuvenate completely.
Why does my beagle sleep so much during the daytime and stay awake at night?
All the dogs trace their ancestry to wolves. Beagles were predators and hunters, and we all know predators don’t sleep at night. In fact, most dogs, if not trained, tend to stay awake at night. So don’t be surprised if you wake up in the middle of the night and find your beagle staring at a wall. They keep watching while we sleep at night.