The Most Overlooked Part of Dog Training

When we talk about training our dogs, we often think about recall, loose-lead walking, jumping up, barking, or pulling things out of the laundry basket. What we don’t always think about is sleep.

Rest isn’t just nice - it’s necessary. It’s one of the most important (and overlooked) parts of your dog’s learning, behaviour, and emotional regulation. Without it, everything becomes harder.

Because when a dog is overtired or constantly “on,” they’re not ignoring you out of stubbornness - they’re simply not coping.

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Dogs Need More Sleep Than You Think

Most adult dogs need 12–14 hours of sleep every single day. Puppies, seniors, and giant breeds often need up to 18–20 hours. That’s a lot of downtime.

But many dogs aren’t getting anywhere near that especially in busy homes where life moves fast. Between school runs, visitors, weekend sports, constant stimulation, or even just a lack of consistent routine, our dogs often miss out on the deep rest their brains and bodies need to recover.

And that lack of rest can start to show up in all sorts of ways: barking, reactivity, hyperactivity, frustration, struggling to settle, or even sound sensitivity and pacing. These behaviours can look like a training issue but more often, they’re a rest issue.

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Why Rest Builds Better Behaviour

Think of your dog’s brain like a sponge. When they’re learning new things or just taking in the world around them, that sponge fills up fast. And just like us, they need space to wring it out - to process, regulate, and reset.

That doesn’t happen when they’re always “on.” It happens when they can truly switch off.

So if your dog is struggling to settle, zoning out in training, or having emotional outbursts, start by checking their rest. Because tired doesn’t always mean sleepy. Sometimes it means overwhelmed. And what they need most in that moment isn’t more training - it’s a nap.

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Give Them a Place to Rest - Not Just Permission

Here’s another common gap: where your dog sleeps.

A lot of dogs are allowed to “sleep wherever they want.” And that might sound lovely in theory. But in practice, it can actually create stress because when your dog is tired, they now have to decide where to go.

Should they sleep on the couch? On your bed? In the hallway? On the rug where the kids are playing? It might seem like a non-issue, but too many options can be just as stressful as not enough.

Imagine if you didn’t have a bed. You could technically sleep anywhere, but you wouldn’t always feel safe. Would you crash on the couch? Curl up on the floor? Nap in the laundry? You’d likely end up tired, unsettled, and more reactive than usual.

It’s the same for our dogs.

That’s why having a designated rest space - a crate, a bed, a mat, even a calm corner - is so important. It creates predictability. It signals safety. And it gives your dog a clear, secure place to go when they’re ready to wind down.

If you don’t have a bed for your dog, go get one. Truly. It’s not just about comfort - it’s about wellbeing.

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Rest Is a Skill, Not Just a State

For some dogs, rest comes naturally. But for many - especially anxious, over-aroused, or highly social dogs - rest needs to be taught.

That’s why in so many of my training plans, we work on “doing nothing” just as much as we work on recall or loose lead walking. Because learning how to be still, how to switch off, and how to feel safe doing nothing… is a life skill.

We support this with calmness protocols, enrichment, predictable routines, safe zones, and relaxation games. And over time, rest becomes something your dog not only needs but actively chooses.

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Final Thoughts

Training your dog isn’t just about the behaviours you can see. It’s about supporting the needs you can’t.

Sleep isn’t a luxury. It’s foundational. It helps your dog process the world, regulate emotions, and show up in training with the capacity to learn.

So if things feel a bit wobbly right now, take a step back and look at rest. Because the most overlooked part of your dog's training might just be sleep.

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🐶 Want help supporting your dog’s rest, regulation, and routine?

Whether you’re dealing with an overstimulated pup, a busy household, or a dog who just can’t seem to settle, I can help.

👉 Download the Chaos to Calm eBook for practical, real-life strategies that support calmness

👉 Or contact me to chat about a 1:1 consult

Thanks for reading!

And as always, throw your dog a treat from us!

Deb & the Busy Pawz Crew xo