Puppy Nap Time: how to encourage rest

• Filled kongs, calf hooves, long lasting chews
• Puppy pens and crates
• A calm and patient attitude

• Build a positive association: Using filled kongs, calf hooves and long lasting chews in their crate and pens will help them to view it as a great space to be.
• Stay close: Your puppy is still young and will likely need you to stay close for them to feel comfortable to relax.
• Encourage relaxation: When it is time for a nap, first go through these three steps to help encourage real relaxation:

1. Physical activity – keep it a few minutes for young puppies.

2. Concentration and thinking – training something new or more challenging.

3. Calmness – have them enjoy some strokes or a chew next to you for a few minutes before giving them their last toilet break and putting the in their crate.

Filled calf hooves, Kongs, and other long-lasting chews can be an excellent way to keep help your puppy to start relaxing.

Important Safety Note

Always supervise your puppy when they have a calf hoof or any long-lasting chew.
If the hoof becomes small enough to swallow or begins to splinter, remove it immediately. If you need to take the hoof away, always trade for a treat and lift it calmly. This helps your puppy learn that giving things up is positive and nothing to worry about.

Why Calf Hooves Help

• They provide an engaging activity.
• They reduce begging and attention-seeking during meals.
• They encourage calm, settled behaviour.
• They last longer than most chews.

Puppy-Safe Filling Ideas

• Puppy-appropriate wet food mixed with kibble
• Soaked puppy kibble in warm water.
• Plain (xylitol-free) yoghurt
• Mashed banana
• Freezing the filled hoof to make it last even longer

• Download worksheet as a reminder of the steps.
• There will be some noise when it comes to teaching a puppy to settle, stay close and sit with them. if they carry on for 15 mins, take them out on lead for a boring toilet break then reset.