How Much Sleep Should They Be Getting?

[jasonm]

My wife and I got our first Rotty. 8w/o and we've had her for three days now. The first night I was getting up every two hours and taking her out. The next morning at her first check up with my vet told me to let her cry till she falls asleep and she should should be able to hold it for 6 hours. The second night I actually got 5 hours sleep. She stayed in the crate with no problems for 5 hours.

We feed her at 6am, 4pm, and 9pm. I've notices that once we feed her and take her out, we'll play with her for a bit and then she'll sleep for about and hour and get up, play and mess around for an hour and then sleep for an hour.

My question is, how much sleep should she be getting? She is very active when she is playing. Jumps around and such but will fall asleep for a bit after. Is it that I should be playing more and keeping her up? Any help would be great.

[Sargeant_C]

An eight week old puppy should not hold it for 6 hours. For each month add one hour..so she is 2 months so she could hold it for 3 hours if necessary. Yet no longer.

Yes a worn out puppy will sleep more. Yet it is your job to get up every couple of hours to take puppy out. If she has accidents in her crate, it is your fault.

[jasonm]

My Vet and breeder said they could hold it at night when the house was sleeping. During the day we haven't kept her in the crate except for an hour or so to get her used to it. We took off a few days from work so we could be home with her for the first 5 days we had her. When we start work again we will crate her during the day and come home a couple of times a day to let her out.

I was just concerned with her right now though. She has been acting a little lathargic. Sleeps more than plays. This is just today though. She walks around with her eyes closed. Then a couple hours later she is running around like crazy for like 30 minitues and back to sleeping. It's been about 15 years since I've had a puppy and this is my first rotty so I'm not sure what to expect.

[LunaBell]

My pup sleeps a lot. She'll be 11 weeks on Tuesday. When I first got her at 8 weeks she tended to sleep more than she played. Now the sleep and playing is pretty well balanced. I would be concerned if she is showing signs of lethargy- such as sleeping for extended of time and not getting perky for play time. Be a observer. Make sure she is eating and drinking well. Watch for bowel movements and make sure they are formed. Watch for urination. Frequent urination or straining can be a sign of a urinary tract infection. If she has been holding her urine all night (For 3 hours or more) she runs a higher chance of getting an infection. Watch for vomiting and diarrhea.

You say you have only had her for three days. Has she seen the vet for vaccinations? Did she just get vaccinated yesterday? Vaccines can cause lethargy. Mild lethargy is acceptable, but if its excessive take her straight to the vet.

[smokey79]

I wouldn't be too concerned about the overnight walkings. I bought my puppy home at 9 weeks, and she always slept through the night for approximately 7 hours. Never had an accident in the crate.
As far as the sleeping, mine slept more when we first got her, but now (5 months) if there is something going on, she seems to keep herself awake even though she should be sleeping. I would voice your concerns to the vet duing the first immunization visit, or simply call the vets office if you have already gone. They're usually pretty helpful over the phone.