Yorkies sleep a lot. Puppies sleep for much of the day, and adult Yorkies commonly sleep around 12 to 14 hours or more in every 24, made up of a night’s sleep plus naps. Exactly how much varies from dog to dog and with age and activity.
Table of Contents
How long do Yorkie puppies sleep
A Yorkshire Terrier puppy sleeps for much of the day, typically far more than an adult dog. This includes napping and snoozing during the day time. This can be hard to believe as Yorkie puppies seem to be full of energy. They are and will be very active when they are awake.
As a puppy is using lots of energy for growing and learning about the world around them, quality sleep is crucial. Ensure your Yorkie puppy has a comfortable bed and a safe place where they won’t be bothered.
Crate training a Yorkie puppy is highly recommended. A crate gives them a safe haven and also helps with training. This includes potty training and learning not to bark. The key is to not let them out of the crate while they are making a noise. They will learn very quickly that if they want to be released from the crate they need to be quiet.
How long do Adult Yorkies sleep
An adult Yorkie over a year old commonly sleeps around 12 to 14 hours a day, and sometimes more. This is an approximate range and includes snoozing and dozing. A nap can be anything from a few minutes to an hour or more. The times a Yorkshire Terrier sleeps tend to adjust to their owner’s routine. When you go to bed, they usually will also.
As a Yorkie puppy becomes an adult they will sleep less meaning they will have more awake time.
When a Yorkie is awake they will be fairly active and want as much of your attention as possible. Yorkies are high energy and intelligent. They require sufficient exercise and mental stimulation and enrichment.
A bored Yorkie with pent up energy will look for ways to entertain themselves. This doesn’t always end well.
How to get Yorkie puppy to sleep through the night
The first few nights after you bring your new Yorkie puppy home can mean disrupted sleep for you. Your new puppy is in an unfamiliar place and has been taken away from their mother and siblings, so they are likely to feel lonely and unsettled. This is a stressful time for a young pup. Whining and vocalizing is how they communicate their loneliness and fear to you.
Even after the first week, it is important to teach your Yorkie puppy good sleeping habits to prevent sleepless nights.
Here are suggested ways to get your Yorkie puppy to sleep through the night whether it is their first night or they are an older puppy.
Tire them out
Keep your Yorkie puppy up and active, playing with them to help him get worn out. Exercise for a puppy is different from that of an adult Yorkie as their bones and tendons are more fragile.
It is also important not to underestimate the importance and value of mental exercise and enrichment for your puppy. Mental stimulation can tire a puppy or dog just as much as physical exercise. A tired mind results in a tired puppy.
Limit food and water before bed
Avoid giving your Yorkie puppy food and water about an hour before bedtime. If they go to bed with a full stomach and bladder, you’ll be getting up more than once during the night to let him out. Even if you have them in a crate with a potty pad for them to go on it will still wake them.
Once they are awake they may start whining to get your attention. Young puppies usually need to go to toilet about every two hours. If they have had a chance to toilet before bedtime and have an empty bladder they will wake up less for this reason.
Keep them in your room
If possible, let the puppy sleep in your room with you. This lets your puppy feel as though they are part of your pack and they know where you are. Do not let them sleep in your bed. At least not at first. If you want them to sleep with you when they are older it is a different matter.
A trick you can try is to put their crate on a chair next to your bed. This way they are at the same level as you and can see you.
Place an analog clock in their bed
This is an old school trick. Wrap a ticking clock in a blanket and place it in their bed. This simulates the heartbeat of their mother. This really does work. You can get ticking clocks from Amazon here.
A similar approach is to put an item such as a blanket in with them that has their mother’s smell on it. This may not always be possible, but if you are getting your puppy from a breeder it is worth asking. Alternatively, use an item that smells like you.
Calming music
Provide ambient background sound for your puppy. This can be a radio turned to a low volume so it doesn’t bother you. You can even get calming music for puppies. Just search “calming music for puppy” on YouTube.
Consistent routine
Dogs like consistency and routine. Have a set routine for sleep time. This means going to bed at the same time each night and having them sleep in the same place. Also, keep bedtime a low key and don’t make a big fuss.
You can simply say bedtime and then put them in their crate or lead them to their bed. A puppy will quickly learn the word “bedtime” and before you know it they will just put themselves to bed.
ADAPTIL Calm Home Diffuser for Dogs
This is a diffuser you plug into a power outlet that releases dog appeasing pheromones that give them a calm feeling. To us, these scents are odorless and are only perceived by dogs and provide a strong signal of security and comfort. The diffuser will cover an area of up to 700 sq. ft. It comes with a diffuser head and a vial that lasts up to 30 days. Replacement vials are also available on Amazon.
Another option is to use an Adaptil collar. This works the same way as the diffuser. View Adaptil Calming Collar on Amazon.
Should your Yorkie sleep in your bed
This can often be a tricky subject. Many people would disagree with you having your dog sleep in the same bed as you. On the other hand, around half of dog owners do sleep with their dogs. And let’s face it. Yorkies don’t need a lot of space.
For a dog, this is perfectly natural as they sleep with their mother and siblings when still in the litter. They are also a pack animal and sleep together in the pack. You are part of their pack.
My little Yorkie, Asia, sleeps on my bed and has done from around the second week I had her. For the first few days, she slept in a crate. This is important so she learned not to make a noise or get up to no good when I was asleep.
For the safety of your Yorkie, it is best to make sure they have a way to easily get on and off the bed. This can be a set of dog stairs. I have an ottoman at the bottom of my bed for this purpose.
There are generally two objections that people have about a dog sleeping in a human’s bed. Firstly, they think that it will lead to dominance and behavior issues. If a dog has a behavior issue, it is not rooted in them sleeping on your bed. Most behavior and aggression issues come from fear, anxiety, or a lack of training. If your dog guards the bed or growls when disturbed, though, it is best to keep them off it and get advice from a qualified trainer.
The second objection is that it is unhealthy. This is not usually a worry as long as both the person and the dog are healthy. Some infections, such as ringworm and certain parasites, can pass from dogs to people, so make sure that your Yorkie’s flea and worm treatments are up to date. If you have a weakened immune system or allergies, check with your doctor.
Yorkie Sleeping positions
How your Yorkie lays when they are asleep can tell you a lot. It not only shows their character and personality. It can also be a good indication of their health and mood.
Here are some common sleeping positions of dogs and what they mean.
Crazy legs
This is where a dog is lying on their back with their legs splayed up in the air. A dog that is sleeping like this is showing a combination of submission and vulnerability. With all four legs in the air, a dog’s stomach and organs are completely exposed, which means they are probably independent, laidback, and feeling very comfortable and safe.
Side Sleeper
This position is a common sleep position that is typically reserved for naps. However, it is possible for some dogs to sleep like this for longer periods of time. The side sleeping position is a relaxed one and demonstrates complete trust since their tummy is exposed. Side sleepers are usually very calm, care-free, usually have a strong bond with their families.
Superman
This is when your dog is asleep stomach down with their front legs stretched forward. Many dogs like this position as they can get up quickly when they are awake.
Legs Up, Back Down
This is similar to the Crazy Legs position, instead, their front paws are laying over their chest while their back legs are extended completely in the air. In this position, a dog can be lying on either their back or their side.
This position often indicates that your dog is hot and trying to cool down. A dog’s paws contain sweat glands, and their belly has the least amount of fur on their body. Ideal for bringing down body temperature.
Belly Curl
In this position your dog will be sleeping on their tummy, often with their front paws tucked backward. Dogs often use this position for shorter naps.
Curled up
Similar to the Belly curl it allows a dog to protect their belly and trap heat. It can mean they are either a bit cold or apprehensive about something. Alternatively, it is just a comfortable and warm way to sleep.
Hopefully, we have been able to answer any questions you had about your Yorkie’s sleeping habits. Let us know in the comments about your Yorkie’s sleeping habits.
More Yorkshire Terrier related posts
Yorkie anxiety symptoms and solutions
Looking for more? Our complete Yorkie guide brings together everything we have written about Yorkies, from size and behavior to grooming and time alone.