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I had forgotten how much dog babies are like human babies. Now my puppy is trying to avoid naps, just like a four year old. If she doesn't nap, then she crashes HARD at 8 pm and is up way to early for us.
She naps very well when the kids are at school and I am sitting in my office for a few hours straight. But, if I leave the room, she is up and following me within minutes. If the kids are home, even if they are outside, she is so reved up, she refuses to even lay down.
If you hold her, she'll nap everytime. Right now, I am wishing for a baby swing for dogs!
Why not allow the pup to go outside and play with the kids? Seems pretty normal to me that a dog would want to be where all the action is. She wants to play too. I've never tried to force my dog to nap. It's a dog not a child. As for following you when you leave the room, most dogs will do that, they want to be where ever you are. If you want her to sleep at certain times of the day, then you are going to have to do some exercising with her to make her tired.
Why not allow the pup to go outside and play with the kids? Seems pretty normal to me that a dog would want to be where all the action is. She wants to play too. I've never tried to force my dog to nap. It's a dog not a child. As for following you when you leave the room, most dogs will do that, they want to be where ever you are. If you want her to sleep at certain times of the day, then you are going to have to do some exercising with her to make her tired.
Why do you assume she doesn't get to go play with the kids? If they are doing something that is safe for her to be around, then she is right with them. When they are riding bikes, then no way will I let her go run along side them. As far as your other assumptions, well she doesn't stop moving most days. There are many kids in and out on non-school days, cats and other dogs to play with, leaves to chase. etc. We also do go on several walks each day.
As far as her not napping, it is becoming an issue only for the fact that her schedule is off by a few hours to our family routine. No big deal.
I didn't assume she doesn't get to play with the kids, you said she won't lay down when the kids are out playing. I did assume that you meant they were outside in the yard playing. You didn't say anything about them going out and riding their bikes. Trying to make a puppy take a nap like you would a child is just a little unrealistic to me especially when there is a lot going on.
As far as my other assumptions......I'm not sure what your referring to. I don't know how old this pup is. Most very young pups will sleep more then they are awake, an older pup will start to want to be up and active most of the day.
You also said that she crashes at about 8 and then gets up to early for you. I would suggest some exercise before going to bed.
I've never tried to force my dog to nap. It's a dog not a child.
Hah! I've never tried to force a child to nap, either!
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(mine shredded his bed last night because he hadn't expended enough during the day) 
