Rotts and sleep

[phishman]

I am wondering if anyone knows the proper amount of sleep for a rott per day? When are you pushing to much sleep? I'm worried that working 8 hours and sleeping 8 hours is to much sleep for the dog in the crate. Is it better to put the dog, chained up, in the backyard rather than the crate during work? Hopefully, 16 hours of sleep a day isn't oversleeping her. I try and excercise her at least 1 hour of the day to wear her energy out. Thanks for any responses.

Marley-12 week old rott

[rottnkidd]

You've got a young pup there, and they do need that sleep.
However, is anyone able to let the pup out of the crate for a
potty/exercise break during the day? If she has some toys in her crate, and enough room to move around, I doubt she's sleeping
all of those hours. I will tell you to not even consider chaining this pup to a fence. There are too many things that can happen.
She's safest in the crate, inside the home. Best wishes -
kathy

[phishman]

Yes, she gets potty breaks. I figured this is ok time for a puppy, but will this be to much sleep for an adult dog?

[Birdie'sMom]

Don't chain her up - that will cause frustration and possibly lead to behavioral problems. When you are not with her she will probably sleep most of the time anyway, no matter where you have her. Better to have her safe in the crate!:) Dogs sleep more than people, you can't compare them, and puppies sleep more than adult dogs!

[sparklemom]

phishman, my dog is 5 years old and I have to wake her up in the morning, then as soon as she comes back from her walk, she's back to sleep. I'm not sure what she does while I'm at work, but I think it's sleep. Then we go for a walk in the evening, eat, play a bit, and she's back to sleep. I may be wrong, but I think I read somewhere that the average daily sleep for a dog is 18 hours. So I wouldn't worry too much. You aren't "Making" her sleep. She'll sleep if she wants to, or just sit around her crate. I would chain her up outside -- too many potential problems.

[BostonRott]

Dogs often sleep 18-20hrs per day, at any age. When you're not home, they sleep. Even when you're home, once they're past the "puppy busy" stage, they sleep on the floor at your feet. I only work 2 days per week (2 24hr shifts), and am usually home the rest of it. Unless I've got the dogs actively doing something, they still sleep the majority of the time. Sleep is good for puppies, they're undergoing a phenominal growth process right now.

[sparklemom]

Oops, I meant would NOT chain her up outside.

[alexav]

Yes, please do NOT chain your pup!!!:(

[phishman]

Thanks guys! Good to know 18 hours of sleep is fine.