miniature schnauzer live outside

colourmania

Really want a dog and have been researching for a while- i think a miniature schnauzer would be best for me. I understand that these dogs love spending time with their family and need to be involved in everything. I'm just wondering does anyone own a miniature schnauzer that lives mainly in the yard and sleeps there. If I get one there is no way it will be allowed to live in the house and I just want to know would it cause any behavioural problems if it lived and slept outside when it got older. Cant seem to find any information about this. thanks:D

Eibhin

The great debate of inside/outside!
You will find quite a few threads on this here and quite a divided opinion on it.
Personally I keep my dogs indoors and I think dogs should be kept with the family as much as possible. If the dog is going to be outside all day and all night then when does he get the human contact, apart from the walks? You could consider using a crate indoors which, if introduced early on works brilliantly.
See what everyone else thinks but I do think that particular breed should be kept inside.
Good luck with it!

arybvtcw0eolkf

colourmania wrote: »

Really want a dog and have been researching for a while- i think a miniature schnauzer would be best for me. I understand that these dogs love spending time with their family and need to be involved in everything. I'm just wondering does anyone own a miniature schnauzer that lives mainly in the yard and sleeps there. If I get one there is no way it will be allowed to live in the house and I just want to know would it cause any behavioural problems if it lived and slept outside when it got older. Cant seem to find any information about this. thanks:D

Unless your Grizzly Adams I think you've answered your own question.

morganafay

I think keeping dogs outdoors is fine, but if he's the only dog, then he'll still need a few hours of time with you a day. Maybe a walk for an hour, and then another hour of sitting outside with him, playing, grooming etc. Dogs are pack animals and can be alone for a while, but not for the whole day. If it's raining or cold then what will you do? It's very hard to motivate yourself to go out in the cold to play with the dog.

I have three dogs who are outside all day and night, but there are three of them, so they're fine. I spend some time in the morning and some time in the evening with them. On weekdays, I spend at least an hour with them, maybe an hour and a half. On weekends and summer/holidays, I spend a few hours a day with them. I should spend longer with them really, but I have my rabbits and guinea pigs to be looking after too. You have to dedicate yourself to do it every day, no matter how much you don't feel like it. If I had a choice, I'd let my dogs indoors for the evening/night to get more quality time with them.

If you have other dogs then he will be fine outside all day, but you'd still have to give him some attention to socialise him properly.

I find having pets indoors is much easier (I had one indoor dog, and have my cats in in the evenings) because they are there with you for hours and you don't have to go outside.

Samantha666

You really want a dog...there is no way 'it' will be allowed to live in the house...what about getting a garden gnome?

morganafay

I think that's a bit harsh. The dog could be fine outside as long as the OP is dedicated enough to spend lots of time outside with it.

Buneoig

Hi
I am a Miniature Schnauzer owner and good luck getting one to live outside! My lad doesnt even like the door being closed on him when he goes out to the loo. Super dependant dogs, like babies really. I have to spend hours with him every day, walk him every day or else he gets agitated. But saying that they are brilliant dogs, very intelligent, loving, so smart, and extremely easy to train. I am a huge schnauzer fan, but cant imagine them living outdoors. If you get it to work let me know how, i would love my dog to spend more time in the garden...alone!
B

colourmania

thanks for all your replies! I am willing to spend a lot of time taking care of the dog and hopefully sneak him indoors from time to time. Personally I think dogs should be allowed indoors but unfortunately I dont have my own place to make the rules. I was just hoping that a schnauzer could cope outdoors like a lot of dogs.

Thanks Buneoig for your help as it appears its not possible-looks like I'll have to start saving for my own place. Don't know how I'll wait till then to get my dog tho

Sigma Force

If a dog is outside at night the dog will need extra time during the day so if you work full time or there's noone there during the day forget about it. It wouldn't be fare for the dog to spend the whole day and then the whole night alone with an hour or so walk in between.

If someone is there all day then plenty of walks etc. but some dogs don't cope well outside, not familiar with that breed. But what happens during the day, if the dog is to be outside during the night will the dog be allowed in the house during the day? If the dog isn't allowed in the house during the day either who will spend their time in the rain/sleet/snow with the dog outside during the day.

These are just some questions you need to ask yourself before going ahead.

We have outside dogs but they have the company of each other and there's always or pretty much nearly always someone here during the day so they get a lot of one on one time in fact more than your average house dog.
It doesn't matter what the weather is like they have to have their time although if it's lashing rain they choose not to go outside one especially hates the rain.

We also work it in shifts, at this stage it's just routine.

Not familiar with that breed so no idea how well they would cope or wether their coat can cope with very cold conditions.

I know it's hard to wait but it is worth waiting to get your own place, in the mean time you could always volunteer to dog walk at a local rescue.

lrushe

My dogs sleep outside in a kennel at night and are outside when I'm in work but when I am at home they are inside with me. I personally think a dog (especially a lone one) needs the championship of their family for a few hours each day. Walks have their place of course but equally I think time in the house just lazying around with the family is equally as important for a well rounded dog imo.

morganafay

If you could spend 2 or 3 hours with it in the evenings then it would probably be ok. Even if it was raining, if you had a utility room or a shed that you could bring it into and cuddle it and play with it for a while?

Or get two dogs

Whispered

2 or 3 hours in the evening is not enough time to spend with a dog.

When you spend time alone you tend to enjoy it right? But the difference is that when you spend time alone you are taking time to "recover" after your day. Thinking about work, school, people you met. All the dog has, is what you give him. When you are not there, the dog is likely waiting patiently for you to return. Now, most of the time they are not upset by this, but imagine how long life would be if you're living for 2-3 hours in the evening.

I'm very strongly of the opinion that a dog must be a part of your family. A dog can sleep outdoors and spend time outdoors when you're away. Dedicating yourself to spending a few hours with them is great. But everyday things are what makes a dogs life full. Like when he learns he has to stay in his crate while you wash the floors or he gets wet feet, or when he learns how to beg at the chopping board without being too obvious . How to cope with frights like if you drop the lid of a saucepan. Social things and standings in your house like figuring out where your side of the couch is and that he should move when you come in (but that it sometimes works if he pretends to be asleep). He needs to learn how to greet visitors, how to react to different everyday scenarios that you really can't control. Controlled interaction is great and necessary, but normal everyday living is where your dog learns the most imo.

OP, if you wait until you have your own place, your relationship with your dog would reap the benefits of you being able to look after the dog as well as you would like and having a companion animal as opposed to a yard animal.

morganafay

I agree that 2 or 3 hours a day is probably not enough for an only dog. But most people don't have any more time than that in their day, so I was just being realistic. It's better than nothing. Especially since a dog will sleep for a good part of the day, especially if it has been walked and fed a bit in the morning. The dog will probably get bored at some point during the day though. I don't think that dogs need company all day, they'll be ok for a few hours . . . but obviously the more time spent with them the better.

I still believe that dogs don't mind spending some time away from human company, if they're used to it. People are social animals too, but I know I like to spend lots of time alone, not at the end of the day, but in the mornings and afternoons too. I've noticed with my dogs that sometimes one of them would go off on their own to get away from the others.

I think if there are multiple dogs in the household then it is ok for them to be alone together for alot of the day, since they'll keep each other company, and it's natural for dogs to be together anyway. My dogs have lots of things to keep them entertained, then when I'm there they have exercise and cuddles and all. I think they're happy. They're still part of my family. Even if they were indoor/outdoor dogs, I'd probably put them outside alone for a few hours during the day while I was inside, just because I think it's more healthy and interesting and natural outdoors for a dog anyway.

But a dog on its own would get pretty lonely . . .

Whispered

I've recently come around to seeing that it's healthy for a dog to spend some time alone outdoors. Now when I get in from work in the mornings (I work nights) he goes outside while I have a few hours sleep.

It would be pretty difficult to spend 2 hours just with the dog and nothing else. Of course! I'd say Harley gets his walks and then a few mins of playing inbetween other things. But because he's indoors with us most of the time, we're constantly interacting with him. Not giving our full attention, but interacting. Some of the things he does, he wouldn't do if it wasn't for this casual interaction. (Like when you sing "I like big butts" he'll stick his bum in the air Or if you ask if he's tired he'll yawn.) Thats the main reason I don't agree with outdoor dogs. I know they can be very comfy if looked after properly, and can be very well trained dogs, there are benefits to it for sure. But I think you can't replace the casual interaction you tend to have with a dog who's life is inside.

EDIT: At the same time, you can have an indoor dog who is confined to the kitchen while it's family spends all its time in the sittingroom. They would be as well off outside, if not better off.

arybvtcw0eolkf

helena.ryan wrote: »

I'm very strongly of the opinion that a dog must be a part of your family. A dog can sleep outdoors and spend time outdoors when you're away. Dedicating yourself to spending a few hours with them is great. But everyday things are what makes a dogs life full. Like when he learns he has to stay in his crate while you wash the floors or he gets wet feet, or when he learns how to beg at the chopping board without being too obvious . How to cope with frights like if you drop the lid of a saucepan. Social things and standings in your house like figuring out where your side of the couch is and that he should move when you come in (but that it sometimes works if he pretends to be asleep). He needs to learn how to greet visitors, how to react to different everyday scenarios that you really can't control. Controlled interaction is great and necessary, but normal everyday living is where your dog learns the most imo.

OP, if you wait until you have your own place, your relationship with your dog would reap the benefits of you being able to look after the dog as well as you would like and having a companion animal as opposed to a yard animal.

Helena it sounds like you have the same relationship with your dog as I have with mine!.

Its through living along side us like they do that they take on an almost human personality I often look at Richo and think 'Jeeze he's dying to talk!'.. Sorry, probably sounds a little silly but thats us!.

Whispered

Mauricio Immense Toupee wrote: »

I often look at Richo and think 'Jeeze he's dying to talk!'..

I bet you answer him out loud if you think you know what he would like to say

morganafay

I agree that it's lovely having an indoor dog. I had an indoor dog before and it was great to just spend all the time I was at home with her next to me. We had such a close bond, but I think I'm just as close with my dogs I have now. When I have my own place then I'll let the dogs in in the evening and night, at least to some rooms (kitchen and sitting room if I have tiles or wooden floors).

But when I go outside my dogs are so happy to see me that it's kinda extra special time spent together then. I wouldn't say it's not as good as being an indoor dog, just that it's different. And after playing with me for an while they'll usually wander off and do something else, like chase the guinea pigs :rolleyes: like they've had enough of me! But they'll still be around me while I'm looking after the rabbits and guinea pigs and cats and cleaning out runs and cages and all, so we still have alot of interaction.

So they are missing out on some things (like hours of cuddles in front of the TV or whatever) but my indoor dog missed out on a lot too. She was missing out on fresh air and extra exercise and playing with the cats who preferred to be outside, and just general wandering around the garden smelling things and stuff.

I actually brought my dogs inside one day when my parents were on holiday and two of them cuddled up on an armchair and went to sleep (obviously thinking that was the life for them!) but one was mad to get outside again and just barked by the door. She actually used to be an indoor dog when she was a puppy-1 year old (the first two were) but they decided to live outdoors, by refusing to come back in ever! So it's different for every dog too.

morganafay

I think it depends what kind of life you want for your dog. A more humanised part-of-the-family life, or a more natural outdoorsy life. Each to their own.

I don't think either way is wrong, as long as the dog has enough company and other important things.

Whispered

morganafay wrote: »

but my indoor dog missed out on a lot too. She was missing out on fresh air and extra exercise and playing with the cats who preferred to be outside, and just general wandering around the garden smelling things and stuff.

I actually brought my dogs inside one day when my parents were on holiday and two of them cuddled up on an armchair and went to sleep (obviously thinking that was the life for them!) but one was mad to get outside again and just barked by the door. She actually used to be an indoor dog when she was a puppy-1 year old (the first two were) but they decided to live outdoors, by refusing to come back in ever! So it's different for every dog too.

I think it's best to have a bit of both worlds tbh. A couple of hours spent outside doing their own thing just being a dog is very good for them. Some dogs do seem to do better than others outside. I'd imagine my boy would have taken to being outdoors well, he's a hardy type. I just wouldn't give him the option.

morganafay wrote: »

I think it depends what kind of life you want for your dog. A more humanised part-of-the-family life, or a more natural outdoorsy life. Each to their own.

I don't think either way is wrong, as long as the dog has enough company and other important things.

My dog has a natural outdoorsey life too though. He goes hiking at least twice a week (like a few hours as opposed to his usual walk). He goes for his walks daily and he swims probably every second day. He camps with us and when the good weather comes we tend to go maybe every second week if possible, he plays and gets smelly, mucky and dirty with other dogs. He's a very athletic dog and his need to be outdoors and exercising a lot has made us get off our lazy backsides and get out and about more. People could be forgiven for thinking that indoor dogs don't get as much exercise/fresh air/stimulation as outdoor dogs. But I think that if you look after them properly they do.

Obviously you spend a lot of time outdoors doing your own thing. Not just interacting with the dogs, that is what I think is important. Allowing the dogs see you doing something not involving them and sort of being around each other without having to do the whole full on attention bit all the time. IMO a dog who lives outdoors where people spend time outdoors (a farm/ work yard etc) can be every bit as happy as an indoor dog. It's when the families life is completly seperate from the dogs except for during the one hour a day where the dog is overloaded with attention in the evening, is where the problem is. Do you know what I mean? I'm not explaining very well.

morganafay

I know what you mean. And I think it's great too that because of my pets I have the incentive to go outside. If they were all inside then I'd just stay inside, so it's good for me too.

I think a bit of both is the best too. Animals like their comfort and cuddles inside, and like being outside too, usually

I used to have an indoor cat and he was so happy when I let him go outside on a leash, he loved the grass and hiding in plants. I had to let him live outside he loved it so much. And from seeing how happy my dogs are when I walk them in the fields, I know that being outside is good for them. I was thinking recently about when I have my own house, will I keep my guinea pigs and rabbits inside or outside, but I decided on outside since they are just so happy to go out on the grass. (Maybe inside at night or a heated shed.)

So yeah, I think a bit of both is probably best too. But either way could work if you do it right.

morganafay

And your dog sounds like he has an amazing life!

I know most indoor dog homes are good, and alot better than alot of outdoor dogs that are left alone all day. But I know some people who leave their dog in all day even while they are at work, when they have a secure garden and the dog could be outside in the sunshine. That'll never make sense to me!

arybvtcw0eolkf

Just something for the OP to consider re. a bored door out your back.

Barking!.

I'm the victim of three barking dogs, and I do honestly describe myself as a victim!.

A neighbour got a West almost a year ago, the thing hasn't stopped barking since.

Morning, noon and night it goes. Despite complaints from me and other neighbours.

And as if thats not bad enough, two other neighbours have got themselves Westies (I know the OP isn't looking for a Westie) and I'm at my wits end from exhaustion.

So much so infact that my doc gave me two days off work and some sleeping pills to help me catch up on rest.

Anyway, these dogs are left outside and almost totally devoid of all human contact (although I'd love to make some contact myself), so probably not all the fault of the dogs (despite them being a breeds reknowned for barking).

So OP, just bare your neighbours in mind of your going to leave this dog out the back and bored out of its tiny mind.

arybvtcw0eolkf

helena.ryan wrote: »

I bet you answer him out loud if you think you know what he would like to say

Don't be silly, of course I don't.

I'm a big fat liar too, we have regular chats!