Why Rest Is Just as Important as Exercise for Your Dog
When we think about keeping our dogs healthy and happy, most of us immediately think about walks.
But what if I told you that one of the most important things you can do for your dog's wellbeing isn't another walk at all?
It's making sure they get enough rest.
Just like us, dogs need a balance between activity and relaxation. While walks, playtime and training are fantastic for both physical and mental health, they also need time for their brains and bodies to recover.
In fact, one of the biggest causes of over-excited, frustrated or stressed behaviour can simply be a lack of quality sleep.
How Much Sleep Does a Dog Need?
Most adult dogs need between 12 and 14 hours of sleep every day.
Puppies need even more—often 18 to 20 hours—while senior dogs may also sleep for much of the day.
That might sound like a lot, but remember that dogs spend far more energy processing the world around them than we often realise.
Every sniff, every new person, every dog they meet and every exciting adventure adds to their mental workload.
Sleep is when all of that information is processed.
Why Routine Matters
Dogs thrive on routine.
Knowing when it's time to walk, eat, play and relax helps them feel safe and secure.
A structured day doesn't mean every minute needs to be planned, but having a predictable rhythm can make a huge difference to your dog's emotional wellbeing.
For example, a balanced day might look something like this:
🌅 Morning toilet break and sniffy walk
🍽️ Breakfast
😴 Rest
🧩 A little enrichment or training
😴 Rest again
🌳 Afternoon walk or garden time
🍖 Dinner
💚 Calm evening with the family
😴 Plenty of uninterrupted sleep overnight
By alternating activity with periods of rest, you're giving your dog's nervous system time to reset.
Why Rest Helps Reduce Arousal
Have you ever noticed your dog becoming more and more excitable as the day goes on?
Many owners assume their dog needs more exercise.
Often, the opposite is true.
Every exciting event releases adrenaline and other stress hormones into your dog's body.
This could be:
Playing fetch
Meeting other dogs
Visitors arriving
Travelling in the car
A busy walk
Training sessions
Loud noises
These experiences aren't necessarily bad—but they are stimulating.
Without enough downtime, those hormones can continue to build throughout the day, leaving your dog feeling constantly "switched on."
A dog that's always on the go can struggle to relax, even when they're exhausted.
Signs Your Dog Might Need More Rest
An overtired dog doesn't always look sleepy.
Instead, you might notice:
Constant zoomies
Difficulty settling down
Barking more than usual
Mouthiness
Jumping up
Pulling on the lead
Difficulty concentrating during training
Becoming frustrated easily
Restlessness around the house
Increased reactivity
It's very similar to an overtired toddler—sometimes the busiest dogs are actually the ones who need a nap the most.
Calming Activities That Encourage Relaxation
Not every activity needs to get your dog excited.
Some activities naturally help lower arousal and encourage calm behaviour.
These include:
👃 Sniffing walks where your dog is allowed to explore at their own pace.
🧩 Food puzzles and enrichment toys.
🥜 Stuffed Kongs or LickiMats.
👃 Scatter feeding in the garden or around the house.
🦴 Long-lasting natural chews (always appropriate for your individual dog and supervised).
🎓 Gentle training sessions using positive reinforcement.
💚 Quiet cuddle time if your dog enjoys affection.
These activities encourage your dog to use their brain without becoming overexcited.
Creating a Calm Environment
Sometimes the environment makes all the difference.
Give your dog somewhere they know they won't be disturbed.
This might be:
A comfortable bed.
A crate if they've been positively crate trained.
A quiet room away from busy family life.
Soft background music or white noise.
It's also important that children understand when the dog is resting and allow them to sleep undisturbed.
Sleep is essential, not optional.
Should You Wake a Sleeping Dog?
Most of the time, no.
As the saying goes, "Let sleeping dogs lie."
Dogs need uninterrupted sleep to recover properly.
Unless there's a genuine reason to wake them, it's usually best to let them rest peacefully.
Finding the Right Balance
Every dog is different.
Some breeds naturally enjoy lots of activity, while others are perfectly content with shorter adventures followed by a long snooze.
The key isn't to wear your dog out every day.
The goal is balance.
A dog who enjoys enriching walks, has opportunities to sniff and explore, spends time learning, and gets plenty of uninterrupted rest is far more likely to be calm, confident and content.
Final Thoughts
As dog owners, it's easy to feel guilty if we skip a walk or have a quieter day.
But rest isn't being lazy.
It's an essential part of keeping your dog healthy—both physically and emotionally.
At Sniffari Adventures Plymouth, I always aim to create walks that provide quality over quantity. Sniffing, exploring and gentle enrichment can often be far more beneficial than simply covering lots of miles.
Because a happy dog isn't the one who's constantly busy.
It's the one who feels safe enough to relax afterwards.
Sometimes, the best thing you can give your dog isn't another adventure…
It's permission to have a really good nap. 🐾💚
🐾 Teddi's Take
Hello, friends! It's Teddi here! 🐶
Can I tell you a little secret?
I LOVE adventures. I love woodland walks, sniffing absolutely everything, making new doggy friends and, if there's water nearby... you'll probably find me swimming! 💦
But do you know what I love almost as much?
A really good nap. 😴
Sometimes my human thinks I've disappeared, but really I've found the comfiest spot in the house and I'm recharging after a busy day of sniffing. Being a dog is tiring, you know!
Sniffing, learning, playing and exploring all use loads of brain power, so when I get home, I need time to switch off.
If I'm really tired, another game or another walk isn't always what I need. Sometimes I just need everyone to let me snooze in peace.
And please don't feel guilty if it's too hot, too wet or life gets in the way and we miss a walk.
Trust me... a frozen Kong, a sniffy game in the house and a long afternoon nap can make for a pretty brilliant day! 🦴💚
So, if you see your dog curled up dreaming away, let them enjoy it. They might be dreaming about chasing squirrels, swimming in streams or finding the world's biggest stick...
(I know I am! 🌳🐿️)
Until next time,
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