Why It’s Important to Stick to Your Dog’s Sleep Schedule
Typically, parents enforce a strict bedtime schedule, but one dog is making it known to her owner how important it is to go to sleep at a set time. Elsie, the year-old Yorkshire terrier, runs a tight ship at her London home. Since she was about 10 months old, she has been known to glare at her owner Emily when bedtime approaches. The Yorkie huffs and puffs from the top of the stairs like a frustrated parent who is sick of doing this every single night. Emily told Newsweek that Elsie will stare angrily at her for about 20 to 30 seconds, reminding her that this “simply is not acceptable,” before the dog darts down the stairs.
@elsietheyorkster/TikTok
Elsie picks and chooses the battle each night, but ultimately she never wins. Hard to believe the owner doesn’t cave with such a serious glare. “She doesn’t really glare in other situations unless she wants a treat, mainly just with sleep,” said Emily. The December 7 TikTok video brought in over 2.5 million views and 253,000 likes, leaving viewers in stitches. Some are even saying this is typical Yorkie sassy behavior. One person commented: “And then the same the next morning and you know they’re thinking, ‘If you went to bed when I called you, it wouldn’t feel so early.'”
The Importance of Sticking to Your Dog’s Sleep Schedule
A dog will spend about half the day resting. Older and some larger dog breeds will likely sleep more. But does when they get their sleep play a role? Keeping puppies and rescue dogs on a set sleep schedule will help establish healthy habits, according to the American Kennel Club. Sticking to a schedule will also be good for their physical health, minimizing the risk of stress and anxiety.
Plus, by having a set sleep schedule dog owners will be able to observe and learn their pup’s sleep habits. This is important because if your dog starts showing unusual behaviors like accidents in the middle of the night, it could be a sign to make an appointment at the vet. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
