When is a puppy old enough to sleep outdoors?

kylith

ShaShaBear wrote: »

We all agree there, however the OP has said that his 9 week old puppy is too big for the house, so it is reasonable to assume the pup won't be let in.

Ah, missed that. If he thinks a 9week old is too big then he'd be better taking it back to the breeder since it's only going to get bigger, noisier, and hairier.

Cuddlesworth

kylith wrote: »

There's nothing wrong with a dog sleeping outside provided the setup is correct and his coat will handle it, which this dog's will. Having a dog sleep outside doesn't mean it's not 'part of the family'; if it goes out when OP goes to bed and comes in when OP gets up then it's no more excluded than a dog that sleeps in the living room.

To be honest, when I see the words "outside dog" I think of the Westie that sits in my neighbours back garden all day staring at the door waiting for somebody to come to it. Everytime I look out. It's heartbreaking and I'd steal him in a second if I could.

I'm sure there are plenty of dogs that like being outside and get treated well. But there are so many that are just left to go crazy trapped by fences.

kylith

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

To be honest, when I see the words "outside dog" I think of the Westie that sits in my neighbours back garden all day staring at the door waiting for somebody to come to it. Everytime I look out. It's heartbreaking and I'd steal him in a second if I could.

I'm sure there are plenty of dogs that like being outside and get treated well. But there are so many that are just left to go crazy trapped by fences.

There's a difference between 'outside dog' and 'dog that sleeps outside' though. Mine used to sleep outside but would be in from the time I got up to the time I went to bed.

ShaShaBear

kylith wrote: »

There's a difference between 'outside dog' and 'dog that sleeps outside' though. Mine used to sleep outside but would be in from the time I got up to the time I went to bed.

It's so rare nowadays. You wouldn't call your dog an outside dog. If someone said to you "Oh, my dog is an outside dog", you would take it to mean the dog spends its day and night mostly or completely outside. Sure, some dogs prefer it (or seem to), but chances are it's been done since they were a puppy and it's become so commonplace that they don't know any different.

In a situation where a working dog is outside on a farm setting all day and night, with lots of commotion and plenty going on to stimulate them, as well as a working farmer who is regularly outside to socialise with them, being an "outside" dog is fine.
But if you have a garden, leave your dog out there day and night, and only interact with him for food and walks, then it's not okay.

OldNotWIse

kylith wrote: »

There's a difference between 'outside dog' and 'dog that sleeps outside' though. Mine used to sleep outside but would be in from the time I got up to the time I went to bed.

I dont see a problem with that, but sadly anybody I know who leaves their dog out at night leaves it there pretty much all the time :mad: I dont know anyone who lets the dog in as soon as they get up and only puts it out when they are going to bed.


ps I'm not saying I dont believe you

kylith

OldNotWIse wrote: »

I dont see a problem with that, but sadly anybody I know who leaves their dog out at night leaves it there pretty much all the time :mad: I dont know anyone who lets the dog in as soon as they get up and only puts it out when they are going to bed.


ps I'm not saying I dont believe you

Most people would, unfortunately. But I couldn't have them looking in the window at me, not when they could be inside keeping me company. I can't understand why anyone would get a dog and then only see it for as long as it takes to walk round the block before putting it back in the garden.

ShaShaBear

kylith wrote: »

Most people would, unfortunately. But I couldn't have them looking in the window at me, not when they could be inside keeping me company. I can't understand why anyone would get a dog and then only see it for as long as it takes to walk round the block before putting it back in the garden.

Nine times out of ten it's because they don't get a dog.

They get a puppy. Apparently they're different

I'd say the other one time it's an uninformed decision to get a guard dog.

FueledByAisling

OP I'd give your pup another couple of months until you let them stay out. I currently have a 7 month old who sleeps in every night, the main reasoning behind this is that foxes pass through our garden at an alarming rate and I wouldn't be able to sleep in fear of the pup being attacked. Your pup is not strong enough to defend itself from any animal that may come into your garden at this stage.

Although it's not that cold at the moment, we are experiencing severe rain storms which I'd imagine most dog owners like myself, would find a bit heartbreaking to leave their dog out in even in a kennel.:o Wait until summer and your dog will most likely begin to want to go out themselves with the warmth.