Is your puppy lazy, or is he just broken? If you had the pleasure of raising a calm puppy, I am sure you would have asked yourself a similar question. While other pup parents share stories about how their pups keep them up all night or keep destroying furniture, your pup simply sleeps his days away.
Since our dogs cannot tell us when they have health issues, we are forced to guess. We get hung up on the simplest things because we can’t understand them. One such thing is inactivity. Many pet owners tend to ask, “Why is my puppy lazy?”
There are many reasons why your puppy can act lazy. Personality, breed, health status, diet, and even over-exercise are common reasons why a puppy would be lethargic. This article will discuss why your puppy is a couch potato, and we will give you some tips on handling the situation.
10 Reasons Why Your Puppy Is Lazy
1. Wrong diet
Your puppy needs the right quantity of nutrients in his food to get the energy he needs for metabolic processes and playtime. If you are feeding your pup a low-quality diet, he will not get all the nutrients that he needs. Abrupt laziness in puppies may be related to food intolerance as well. Your pup can become lazy after a change in diet if he is intolerant to the new food.
2. Weather
On hot and freezing days, we usually find it hard to get up to go to work. Our pets respond similarly to the environmental temperature. Usually, on hot days, your pet is trying to conserve his energy and is looking for somewhere cool to hide. Note that brachycephalic and double-coated dogs have it harder during hot days due to respiratory and overheating issues, respectively.
3. Anxiety
If your dog is a new family member, he will be anxious to be in a new home. It takes a while for fur babies to open up to their new families. In such a case, strive to make your pup comfortable and earn his trust.
4. Tired
Is your puppy lazy, or is he worn out? Although a lot of medical professionals hammer on the importance of exercise for our canine friends, there is such a thing as too much exercise. A pup that spends all day playing with his mates at doggy daycare is sure to be worn out when he gets home. So don’t be upset when your tired buddy decides to spend his time at home regaining his lost energy.
5. Growth
Puppies are doggy babies. Just like human babies, this is a crucial time of development marked by rapid growth and lots of snooze time. In fact, a healthy pup can sleep 18-20 hours in a day! If your pet sleeps almost all day but is active during his awake hours, he is simply being a pup!
6. Personality
Every dog is different and special in its own way. While some dogs are boisterous, others are calmer. Your pup may fall on either side of the spectrum, and that’s okay!
7. Lazy breed
Some dog breeds are more gentle and enjoy their own company. Such breeds include the Newfoundland, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Saint Bernard, and many others. If your dog is a member of any of these breeds, you can expect a calmer personality. However, remember that there are always exceptions.
8. Illness or pain
Lethargy is a common symptom of illnesses in dogs. If a once active puppy becomes lazy, it could be a sign of illness. Common illnesses seen in puppies include parasites, parvovirus, worms, vomiting, and diarrhea. Look out for other symptoms and reach out to your vet if you think your dog is ill.
9. Depression
Animals also deal with mental illnesses. Many incidents can cause a pup to become depressed. It is difficult to differentiate between canine depression and laziness. Rather than jumping to conclusions, get your pet checked by a vet.
10. Boredom and low exercise
Some dogs are high-energy dogs. If a pup is under-stimulated, he could decide to sleep his excitement away. Such dogs may adopt destructive behaviors like chewing up clothes, damaging furniture, excessive barking, etc. So if your dog is a high-energy dog, make sure he is properly stimulated by taking him on walks, giving him toys, using puzzle feeders, and so on.
How do I make my puppy not be so lazy?
1) Take him to the vet
Depending on the cause of your pet’s laziness, there are many ways to get him active. Firstly, take him to the vet to ascertain that he is healthy. If your vet gives your dog the all-clear, try the methods below.
2) Feed him the right diet
Ensure that you are feeding your fur baby a high-quality diet in moderate quantity. Your dog’s diet plays a huge role in his level of activity and rate of growth. Talk to your vet about getting food with high protein levels.
3) Make play time interesting
Fetch can get pretty boring after the first few hundred times. It may be time to spice up playtime. Research different activities that can stimulate your pup physically and mentally, like new games and new toys.
4) Give your dog more exercise
Make sure that your pup is getting age-appropriate exercise. Per month of age, a puppy should be exercising for 5 minutes. So, a 4-month-old puppy should exercise for 20 minutes.
5) Training
Training with positive reinforcements is a good way to get your pet active. Take out time to train with your puppy and get to know him better in the process.
6) Get your pup some friends
You could schedule play dates for him or enroll him in daycare where he can make new friends. Some dogs become excited when they have a friend to play with.
7) Respond appropriately to the environmental temperature
If your pup’s laziness is caused by changes in weather, provide warmth or turn up the air conditioner as needed. It is important to keep your pup well hydrated in the summertime to avoid heat strokes or dehydration. Keep your dog warm in the winter to avoid hypothermia.
8) Give him time
If you just got your puppy, he is probably not lazy. Be patient with him and give him time to come out of his shell. You’d be surprised that your seemingly lazy puppy is actually a goofball.
Should I Worry About My Puppy Being Lazy?
If your vet has given your pet a clean bill of health, you shouldn’t be worried about your pet’s laziness. That’s what pups do- they sleep and do nothing for most of the day. You should only worry if your dog’s laziness is affecting his health negatively. Keeping your little pooch active may prove counterproductive to his growth and development.
If your pup has always been lazy, he probably has a calm personality. However, if you notice your pet getting lazier over time, it could be due to external causes like not eating the right diet or depression. Keep track of your pet’s behavior and respond adequately when you notice any change.
In cases where your dog’s laziness is caused by an illness or pain, you will notice other symptoms along with laziness. Such symptoms include fever, whimpering, loss of appetite, and many more. If you suspect that your dog is ill, contact your veterinarian.
Conclusion
Since exercise is important for puppies, a good dog parent must ensure that their dog gets the exercise needed. If you have tried all the tips listed above and still find yourself asking, “why is my puppy lazy?” you have a calm pup on your hands! This is not a disadvantage, though, and you can expect a long, happy life with your pup.
