Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Help Your Dog Sleep Through The Night

By Jerry Brecken
Dogs, like humans, also experience sleepless nights for some reasons that are apparently found in our homes. In this regard, it is very important that dog owners have a keen sense of observation when it comes to a dog's sleeping disorder. Although this may seem like a very ambitious task, a careful attention paid on a dog's well-exhibited difficulties in sleeping is proven beneficial both to the dog and its owner.

However, as with all the other problems concerning the behavior and habits of a dog, the solution to the problem does not take effect after a mere 24 hours. This requires practice and constant monitoring of the dog's reaction to the drills. But, the task can be actually made simple if dog owners would take the full responsibility in performing the following:

Observe and take a careful note on any change that might have triggered the occurrence of modification in your dog's sleeping habits. Your dog may be reacting to several situations like a sudden change in its crate or lounge, or in your furniture set-up, a stressful incident, or a house party. Keep in mind that the smallest change in its environment will cause some sort of a disturbance in your dog's schema of daily events, which will lead to difficulty in sleeping. Identify what is the cause and do something about it, like re-arranging the furniture to their original plan that your dog has been accustomed to, or putting the dog back in the crate where it is used to take a rest.

Give the dog a well-balanced diet. The diet depends on your dog's age. This usually requires more calorie intake for young dogs. Such distribution gives puppies the essential nutrients they need for their growth. On the other hand, older dogs require just the right amount of calories that will support their daily activities.

For the most part, the diet is effective if you always let your dog eat on time, if not earlier than its bedtime. This is particularly important as dogs are energetic after meals. Feeding your dog a short moment before it should actually sleep will most likely give it the energy to move around, bark, and whine while the neighborhood is asleep.

Provide supplements that will help your dog relax. Calming products (which are usually taken orally) will do the magic as these will provide relief from restlessness, nervousness, fear, and aggression, which will yield to a sound slumber for both of you.

Have your dog undergo daily exercise. Generally, your dog should have at least 40 minutes of walking, running, and other exercise regimen everyday. If your dog has too much stored energy, it is more likely to be wriggly at night, just when you are having a beautiful dream. Helping your dog to tire itself before bed time will be ideal, as it will be drained of any excess energy, which can spell sleep disruptions to both of you.

Set a definite sleeping time. Help your dog practice a definite sleeping time. Ideally, you should pattern your dog's bedtime to yours.

Keep your pet's sleeping area clean and comfortable. See to it that your dog doesn't sleep on a damp, cold area, as it will be a major cause of restlessness. Give your pet comfort items like blanket or pillow. Remember that your main goal is to provide total comfort and security for your dog. Dog beds and dog crates will do the trick.


Jerry Brecken is a writer for www.dogbedsforyou.com, a website where you can choose among the popular varieties of dog furniture and pet beds such as the canopy dog bed for your beloved pet.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

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