Inside the Puppy Pen: Day 3 – Activated Sleep in the Herb Garden

Today’s video of the Herb Garden crew all snuggled up might look peaceful, but their little bodies are hard at work during what’s called activated sleep.

Those twitches, paw kicks, or sudden little jerks aren’t dreams — they’re signs that the puppies’ nervous systems are developing. In these first couple of weeks, activated sleep helps the brain practice sending signals to the muscles, building the connections they’ll need for walking, running, and playing as they grow.

Newborn puppies spend up to 50% of their sleep in this stage, and it’s a key marker of healthy development. Over time, as their systems mature, you’ll see less activated sleep — but for now, every wiggle is helping them grow into strong, coordinated pups.

So, the next time you see Dill’s little paw twitch or Chamomile’s nose scrunch mid-nap, you’ll know their tiny bodies are busy preparing for all the adventures ahead.

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