We know how important sleep is, but did you know it’s actually super important for puppies and dogs too? Maybe in different ways, but it’s nevertheless a main ingredient in everyday life.
In this article, you’ll learn how to tell if a puppy can be overtired, and why it’s a bad idea to have an overtired puppy. We’ll talk through the difference between a tired versus an overtired puppy, and what signs of an overtired puppy to watch out for. We’ll also get into how you can calm down your overtired puppy, and how an app like Zigzag can help you do that, and much more throughout your puppy training journey.
Download the Zigzag app today, and you’ll get access to a full program of learning that will stretch your puppy’s brain, without making them overtired. When things get too crazy, our team of expert puppy trainers are here to guide and support you 24 hours a day. They’re only a text away.
Can a puppy be overtired?
Yes, a puppy can definitely be overtired! Puppies need huge amounts of sleep. Sleep allows their growth and development to shine over time. When they don’t get enough shut-eye, they go past the point of regular tiredness and become overtired, which you’ll quickly see cause some problems.
You can learn much more about this in our article: how often do puppies sleep.
Why you shouldn’t let your puppy get overtired
Overtired puppies can suffer with all kinds of things like stress, throwing up, diarrhoea, bloodshot eyes, impaired cognitive functioning…they can generally become more grumpy and sometimes even aggressive. We’re sure you can relate.
When they are overtired, they can also find it hard to sleep as they’re feeling so out of balance and full of adrenaline.
Tired vs overtired puppy
There’s quite a difference between a regular tired puppy and an overtired puppy. An overtired puppy just can’t shut down and go to sleep. They’re cranky and overstimulated, snappy and hyperactive! Puppies that are simply tired are a lot more mellow.
Here are some key differences comparing a tired vs. an overtired puppy:
| Behavioural Sign | Tired Puppy | Overtired Puppy |
| Settling | Doesn’t struggle to settle down | Struggles to settle – restless and on the edge |
| Vocalisation | Not overly noisy | Barking and whining |
| Mouthing and biting | Normal levels of puppy biting | Increased biting, snapping and nipping |
| Focus | Can focus, but may be sleepy | Reduced attention span |
| Energy levels | Lower – they are tired after all! | Agitated and hyperactive – often have zoomies |
| Playfulness | Reduced levels of play | Hyperactive or frantic |
| Body language | Relaxed, sighing, droopy eyes | Scratching, yawning, panting |
9 Signs of an overtired puppy
Overtired puppies are pumped with adrenaline and will often seem to be in a complete frenzy as self-control becomes something very difficult to achieve.
Here’s some more overtired puppy symptoms. Are there some you see in your pup?
- Clinginess and appearing needy
- Sluggishness or seeming lethargic
- Stopped listening to you
- Snapping or biting excessively – grabbing at ankles or your clothes
- Barking at you…this can feel quite confrontational
- Panting – when it’s not hot outside
- Increased thirst and drinking fast
- ‘Crazy eyes’ or showing the whites of their eyes
- Hyperactivity- Having the zoomies, no matter how much furniture is around them
How to calm an overtired puppy
If you have an overtired puppy, it’s essential to learn how to calm them down so they’re able to deal with their tiredness. Here’s our tips for how to deal with an overtired pup:
- Create a schedule – puppies thrive on routine. Make sure they get the right amount of play, sleep, exercise and mealtimes at the same time every day so that it becomes predictable to them, and you become trustworthy.
- Get them into a good night-time routine – our article on sleep routines will help you to get your puppy to sleep through the night. This will totally help reduce over tiredness during the day for them (and for you!)
- Crate training – Nobody likes to have FOMO (fear of missing out)…especially not puppies. FOMO makes it difficult for puppies to decide when to take a nap as they’ll want to stay up until they’re, well, overtired. This is why crate training will come in handy – they’ll help your puppy get into a nap time routine away from any stimuli, so they’re able to really relax.
- Give them a place to sleep – get your puppy a comfy bed and blanket, so they have a cosy corner to snuggle in for those naps.
- If it’s your puppy’s first week, a puppy heartbeat toy can help them feel safe and home…it’ll remind them of being back in the puppy pile with their siblings and mum. It’s actually really cute.
- More sniffing, and less high-energy play sessions – scent work will help them lower their excitement and stress. In our guide of 50+ training games or puzzle toys article, you’ll find lots of ideas for calming sniff-full activities to do with your pup
- Training – positive reinforcement training will lead the way to calm your overtired puppy down. The key is always treats, rewarding with food will help them feel satisfied and content. Just what they need to feel relaxed.
- Feed in a fun way – use interactive toys like Kongs at mealtimes to encourage mental exercise. When dealing with over tiredness, working on mental exercise is better than physical exercise which can make them act more nutty.
- Mental enrichment – sniffing, grooming, problem-solving puzzle toys and games, will give them a feeling of accomplishment and help to settle down a buzzy brain.
- Chewing – chewing releases endorphins which can help to calm a dog down, and will help them to get off to sleep. We’ve picked out the best ones in our article on puppy chews.
- Reward calmness – Use food to reward behaviour you want to see. In this case, being calm! This will eventually become a sign for them that saying chilled and cool is something you like to see, and they will get a treat for.
- Sit on the floor and be still! Sometimes WE are so fast and frantic, our puppy can’t relax. Help your pup (and yourself, let’s be honest) by giving them a nice massage, brush, or just cuddle them in bed until their heart rate calms down.
Read more in our article how to calm a puppy down – trust us, you’ll want to know all about it.
How can Zigzag help with your pup’s training
We don’t like to brag, but Zigzag will give you everything you need. For a crazy, overtired puppy, we’ll provide you with daily, step-by-step lessons to help turn your wild friend into a calm, relaxed puppy. We only work with positive reinforcement techniques which you’ll quickly see is the best way to keep everyone feeling safe, happy and healthy. In your puppy parenthood journey, you’ll need lots of guidance for many different topics. Besides getting your puppy’s training off to an amazing start, by going through our lessons, you’ll learn far more than you thought you needed.
If you’re still not sure what to do with your overtired puppy, you can always contact our team of expert dog trainers. They’re truly nice people and available 24/7 via our in-app chat. Don’t worry, they’ve heard it all, and will give you all the advice you need.
FAQs
- How do you settle an overtired puppy?
It can be hard to get your puppy to sleep right away, even if it’s all they really need. Try to get them into it with some slow massage, talking gently to them, or give them a calming toy like a lickimat to help them wind down.
Our article on how to calm a puppy down has a lot more helpful tips and guidance for this; have you taken a peek yet?
- Is my puppy overtired or overstimulated?
It’s pretty similar, we have to admit. But the signs you’re looking for an overtired puppy are if they seem frantic, restless, overly barky or bitey. It might be the case that they’re overstimulated too – this can happen when your puppy is overwhelmed by what’s going on around them, like when you take them into a room full of children and new people. Let’s not do that when they’re this young. Bad idea.
- Do puppies act crazy when tired?
Yes, puppies often appear crazy and get the zoomies, especially when they’re overtired. This is because they’re full of adrenaline as their body tries to keep going, even when they’re desperate to sleep. Bodies are crazy things. They need one thing, and do the other. Makes no sense, but oh, well.
