5 months old puppy sleeps all day and night

by CeCe
(China)

My 5 months old puppy sleeps all the time.

What can I do to encourage him to play more?

Hi Cece
Rottweilers are not ‘high energy’ dogs, although as young puppies they are usually playful and active – just not all the time. Plus, your pup is now more of a pre-teen than a baby pup.

But personality also plays a role, and you may have a very laid-back puppy who prefers to nap than play. This is not unusual and most older pups/dogs sleep most of the day.

However, if I were you I would definitely have him checked out by your veterinarian to make sure that he’s healthy and that there is no underlying health issue to blame for his lack of energy.

If your vet pronounces him healthy, then you may just need to accept that he’s a quiet, sleepy kind of pup! That doesn’t mean that he can’t enjoy play sessions though, you’ll just need to find out what he really enjoys.

Some dogs LOVE balls, others couldn’t care less. Some love frisbees, others adore going for long walks, some like play dates with other dogs… each pup is different. If you can find your pup’s favorite activity he will be more inclined to join in.

I’d also strongly suggest enrolling your pup in a basic dog obedience class, this helps stimulate his brain, builds a stronger bond between you both and gives him valuable socialization experience. Training at home is good, but a class is a great add-on.

Rottweilers are big dogs, and Rottie pups go through some pretty dramatic growth and developmental changes during their first year. This is tiring for them and their bodies need a LOT of rest to deal with all those changes.

My shows exactly how much effort their little bodies put into growing!

Puppies do most of their growing and development while sleeping, so it is an important activity for them – not just a waste of time 🙂

Hope this helps, best of luck with your pup.

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