March 31, 2026, 7:10 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Many dog owners underestimate how important rest periods are for their pets. Dog trainer Katharina Marioth explains why dogs need so much sleep, the consequences of insufficient rest–and why rest can even determine life expectancy.
Dogs Need More Sleep Than Many Think
Many dog owners believe it’s enough if their four-legged friend sleeps at night. But dog trainer Katharina Marioth clarifies: Dogs need significantly more rest. Puppies should even rest 20 to 22 hours a day, she explains. “A healthy adult dog gets 16 to 18 hours, and older dogs can sleep up to 20 hours again–depending on size and daily condition.”
Overwhelm Instead of Rest
According to Marioth, these numbers seem surprising to many because owners often overwhelm their pets. “People often feel the puppy must be kept busy from the start, like a child who has piano and soccer after school,” she says. In doing so, they forget that the brain needs time to process impressions.
Dogs that didn’t learn to rest during early development come to her consultation by the age of one and a half–usually with massive behavioral problems. At the same time, there are animals that naturally have difficulty relaxing. Here, it’s the human’s task to create structures and rituals.
Rituals Help with Winding Down
But how can so much sleep be incorporated into daily life? Of the 20 hours for puppies, about eight are at night, leaving twelve during the day. “A clear daily routine and fixed rituals help enormously,” Marioth explains. Many dogs sleep without problems in the car because the routines there are always the same.
It becomes dangerous when owners believe a restless dog needs even more activity. “Then I create an adrenaline junkie who eventually can’t wind down at all,” warns Marioth. Constant stress affects not only behavior but also life expectancy.
Also interesting: Your dog just can’t calm down? 8 tips that help
Dog Destroys Furniture? Expert: “It’s Not Revenge—It’s Panic”
Dog Frequently Has Stomach Issues? Stress Could Be the Cause
Consequences of Too Little Sleep
The consequences are often severe: Dogs that consistently get too little rest react overly sensitively to stimuli. “It doesn’t have to be aggression; it often shows through extreme barking or excessive hunting behavior,” says the trainer. Destructive behavior is also a typical sign. In the worst case, dogs even develop aggression against themselves–they attack their tails or injure their paws.
For Marioth, rest is a completely underestimated topic. If she were to set up a puppy or young dog school today, there would be only three core points for her: learning to rest, knowing their own name, and reliably coming back. “Our world is hectic enough–even for dogs,” she emphasizes. Therefore, owners should allow their pets, as well as themselves, genuine time-outs. “Me-time for the dog simply means: lying down, feeling safe, relaxing, and being allowed to sleep.”
Overview: How Much Sleep Your Dog Needs
- Puppies: 20–22 hours
- Adult Dogs: 16–18 hours
- Seniors (large breeds from about 7 years, small breeds from about 10 years): up to 20 hours
Learn more about this topic in this article: How much sleep does a dog really need?
You can see the full interview with Katharina Marioth in the video.
About the Expert
Katharina Marioth is the founder of the brand Stadthundetraining and the KEML principle. She is an IHK- and government-certified dog trainer and behavioral assessor for dangerous dogs in the state of Berlin. In her daily business, she works closely with veterinarians, scientists, and other specialists on the subject of dogs. With her knowledge and skills, she secured the title of Dog Trainer of the Year 2023 in the Sat.1 show “The Dog Trainer Champion.”