How to Make a Dog Go to Sleep: 6 Proven Tips for Rest

Do you have an energetic dog that won’t calm down and sleep? Even after long walks and playing with them, do they still have enough energy to keep going? Many owners experience this, especially with young or high-energy dogs, which can make nighttime rest difficult. Here, I’ll share six tips on how to make a dog go to sleep and have a restful night every time.

Why Won’t My Dog Go to Sleep?

Understanding why your dog struggles to settle at night makes it much easier to find the right solution. Research shows that dogs are polyphasic sleepers, meaning they sleep in multiple bouts over 24 hours. On average, dogs spend 43–60% of the day sleeping, with REM sleep accounting for 20–36% of total sleep time (1, 2).

Even so, dogs (like humans) generally follow a diurnal circadian rhythm. They’re most active during daylight hours and naturally rest more at night (1, 2, 3).

Several factors, however, can disrupt this normal sleep pattern.

Breed

Some breeds, such as Border Collies or terriers, are naturally more energetic than others. These dogs often need extra physical and mental stimulation during the day so that they can fully relax and sleep at night.

Age

Younger dogs tend to have more energy and curiosity than older dogs. Puppies, in particular, have immature circadian rhythms. This leads to short sleep cycles and seemingly random wake-ups as their endocrine systems develop (4). Research also shows that circadian rhythms continue to mature through young adulthood, with notable differences between a 1.5-year-old dog and a 5-year-old (4).

Health

Medical issues (e.g. pain, anxiety, or sleep disturbances) can also interfere with a dog’s ability to rest. Studies show that sleep deprivation in dogs increases anxiety-like behaviors and reduces cognitive performance. These issues ultimately affect overall well-being (1). If your dog seems uncomfortable or distressed, it’s best to consult your veterinarian.

Environment

A dog’s sleeping environment also plays a major role. Noises, lighting, temperature changes, or being separated from you or other pets can make some dogs feel lonely, bored, or insecure. Research shows that pre-sleep activity, sleep timing (day versus night), and sleep location all significantly influence sleep quality in dogs (5, 6).

6 Tips to Help Your Dog Go to Sleep

Our dogs’ health, happiness, and behavior depend heavily on a quality night’s sleep. Did you know that adult dogs typically sleep about 10 hours per day on average? Nevertheless, this number varies by age, activity level, and individual aspects (3, 7). If they’re restless, noisy, or anxious at night, try the following tips. They are easy and practical ways to make your dog go to sleep faster—and sleep more soundly.

1. Exercise Your Dog to Tire Them Out

Walking your dog during the day helps get them ready to sleep at night. A tired pup is more likely to go to sleep quickly and rest more soundly. But highly energetic dogs often need several brisk walks throughout the day to burn off their excess energy.

Research shows that dogs tend to sleep longer and more soundly after an active day. They also become drowsy earlier and enter deep sleep (NREM) sooner. Instead of lingering in light, restless sleep, they spend more time in both NREM and REM sleep (5). In short, daytime exercise has a direct, positive effect on nighttime sleep quality.

Here are a few ways to help:

• Give them at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day, depending on their breed and age
• Vary the type and intensity of exercise (e.g., running, playing fetch, or swimming)
• Take them for a quick walk before bedtime to help them wind down and relieve themselves

2. Adjust Their Feeding Schedule

Feeding several hours before bedtime gives your pup plenty of time to digest their food before sleep time. Try serving dinner a few hours before bedtime to help reduce the number of nighttime bathroom trips needed.

Feeding schedules can influence dogs’ rest/activity patterns, according to studies. Researchers have seen differences in activity levels between once-daily and twice-daily feeding regimens (8). With that in mind, some ways to optimize your dog’s feeding schedule are:

• Managing food portions, giving two or three small meals rather than one big one
• Feeding them a small meal at dinner-time (to help them relax)
• Avoiding anything spicy, fatty, or sugary that might cause indigestion or hyperactivity

3. Getting Into a Relaxing Bedtime Routine

Try keeping the hour before bedtime quiet and calm. This quiet time will set the tone for a good night’s sleep. You ideally want to avoid loud noises, bright lights, and other stimuli that could wake your dog up.

Why not create an enjoyable and calming routine to help your dog relax? For example, you could:

• Gently massage them or use calming aids to promote relaxation
• Give them a small piece of cheese or a spoonful of peanut butter (xylitol-free) as a light snack
• Take them out for a final potty break before tucking them in for the night

Being consistent will help set the time for when to sleep. It’s just like self-care but for dogs!

4. Sounds to Make Your Dog Fall Asleep

Relaxing sounds and music can powerfully affect canine mood and behavior. The following types of audio can calm nerves, lower stress, and help a dog fall asleep faster:

• White noise
• Classical music
• Nature sounds
• Heartbeat sounds

Sound therapy is excellent for masking distracting noises that would otherwise keep dogs awake. It can quiet traffic and fireworks and even help calm a dog during a thunderstorm. Suitable melodies can create a cozy and comfortable atmosphere for your pup to drift off to dreamland.

5. Calm Your Dog’s Nerves with Adaptil

Nervousness and anxiety can greatly affect well-being and behavior. To help dogs cope with stress, try Adaptil. This synthetic pheromone mimics the calming signals mother dogs send to their puppies and can help:

• Encourage calm and relaxation in challenging situations
• Lessen nighttime whining, barking, or hiding (classic signs of distress)
• Improve your relationship with your pet

6. Consider a Melatonin Supplement (With Vet Approval)

You could also try giving your dog melatonin, with your vet’s guidance. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Veterinary sources generally consider melatonin safe for dogs when used appropriately. Studies show its calming effects and ability to reduce anxiety (9, 10, 11).

For example, one study examining dogs receiving melatonin before surgery found they were calmer. Plus, they needed less initial anesthesia compared to dogs that didn’t receive it (10). Another study showed melatonin as part of a “chill protocol” (combined with gabapentin and acepromazine) helped reduce fear and anxiety during vet visits (11).

Important considerations before using melatonin:

• Always consult your vet first: Melatonin has a wide safety margin and no established toxic dose in animals (9). But your vet should confirm it’s appropriate for your dog and recommend the correct dose based on weight, age, and health needs.
• Dosage varies widely: Typical doses range from 0.5 to 6 mg, depending on your dog’s size and the condition being treated. It’s usually given every 8–24 hours (9, 11). Your vet should provide exact dosing instructions.
• Use dog-safe products only: Never give human melatonin products, as some contain xylitol or other artificial sweeteners (extremely toxic to dogs) (9, 11). Choose veterinary-approved supplements and avoid extended-release formulas, which may pass through a dog’s digestive system too quickly (11).
• Watch for possible side effects: Side effects are uncommon. But they can include drowsiness, digestive upset, changes in heart rate, itchiness, or confusion (9, 11). Watch your dog closely when starting melatonin and contact your vet if anything seems unusual.
• Check for medication interactions and health risks: Melatonin can interact with medications such as blood pressure drugs, blood thinners, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants (9, 11). It’s also not recommended for dogs with certain conditions, including liver or kidney disease, hormonal disorders, or for pregnant or breeding dogs (11).
• Timing matters: Melatonin typically begins working within 1–2 hours, so give it well before bedtime or a stressful event (9, 11).

What Influences Your Dog’s Sleep?

• Sex: Female dogs show better sleep efficiency and better recovery from sleep loss than males (1)
• Age: Older dogs sleep substantially more during both day and night, with shorter but more frequent daytime sleep bouts (1, 7)
• Activity level: More active dogs tend to sleep better at night (5)
• Social interactions: Human presence and social factors can affect sleep structure (1, 6)
• Environmental conditions: Light exposure, temperature, and noise levels all play roles (1, 2)

Try tracking your dog’s sleep patterns with different techniques and see what works best. If yours is restless or hyperactive, it might have a medical or behavioral issue that needs your vet’s attention.

When to Contact Your Veterinarian

Please seek veterinary advice if your dog experiences:

• Persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness or sudden changes in sleep patterns
• Restlessness accompanied by pacing, whining, or anxiety
• Sleep disturbances along with other symptoms (loss of appetite, pain, behavioral changes)
• Senior dog sleep changes may suggest cognitive dysfunction

Research shows that sleep behaviors can serve as indicators of welfare in dogs. (1). Plus, changes in sleep patterns can signal underlying health issues.

Final Thoughts

How to make a dog go to sleep? Regular exercise, a calming bedtime routine, and vet-guided options like Adaptil or melatonin can help. But I recommend you find the root cause of their excess energy to determine the most effective course of action. If these methods don’t work, calling the vet is always the safest option.

Sources

1. Moreira, J.N., et al. (2022). The cyclic interaction between daytime behavior and the sleep behavior of laboratory dogs. Scientific Reports, 12, 303.
2. Bódizs, R., et al. (2020). Sleep in the dog: Comparative, behavioral and translational relevance. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 33, 25-33.
3. Hoffman, J.M., et al. (2020). A functional linear modeling approach to sleep–wake cycles in dogs. Scientific Reports, 10, 22233.
4. Madcap University. Puppy circadian rhythm.
5. Bunford, N., et al. (2018). Differences in pre-sleep activity and sleep location are associated with variability in daytime/nighttime sleep electrophysiology in the domestic dog. Scientific Reports, 8, 7109.
6. Owczarczak-Garstecka, S.C., & Burman, O.H.P. (2016). Can sleep and resting behaviours be used as indicators of welfare in shelter dogs? PLOS ONE, 11(10), e0163620.
7. Kinsman, R., et al. (2020). Sleep duration and behaviours: A descriptive analysis of a cohort of dogs up to 12 months of age. Animals, 10(7), 1172.
8. Zanghi, B.M., et al. (2013). Characterizing behavioral sleep using actigraphy in adult dogs of various ages fed once or twice daily. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 8(3), 195-203.
9. PetMD. Can you give a dog melatonin?
10. Palmeiro, B.S., et al. (2021). The effects of preoperative administration of melatonin on intraoperative anesthetic requirements and postoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing elective surgery. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 258(7), 787-793.
11. Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips for Dogs. Melatonin for dogs: Uses, safety, product selection

This article is for educational purposes and does not replace professional veterinary advice.