When is a puppy old enough to sleep outdoors?

pjwhite99

I have a alaskan malamute puppy

He is about 9 weeks what age is it right to have him sleep in his kennel?

Any tips on how I can get him use to going outside from inside the house?

223vmax

Assuming he has no source of heating & its on its own when outside, I wouldn't put him outside until the Summer months.

Nody

Why do you want him to sleep outside?

Dicky Pride

Cause he's an animal and generally animals are happier outside.

Mince Pie

Dicky Pride wrote: »

Cause he's an animal and generally animals are happier outside.

they are also social and prefer to be in the company of their family. I would say that they would probably prefer to be in the company of their family than outside.
I can never understand why people want a dog then want to leave it outside. either you want another member of the family or you don't.

andreac

Dicky Pride wrote: »

Cause he's an animal and generally animals are happier outside.

Em, wrong. Sorry, but most dogs prefer to be indoors in the comfort, warmth and dry environment of a home.
I know my 3 rottweilers certainly do and hate being outside.

lollsangel

Mince Pie wrote: »

they are also social and prefer to be in the company of their family. I would say that they would probably prefer to be in the company of their family than outside.
I can never understand why people want a dog then want to leave it outside. either you want another member of the family or you don't.

Well I have 2 dogs! They refuse to stay overnight in the house.when they were pups they stayd inside, left them out in the run one day when I had to go away for a few hours, havent slept inside since! They are very much part of our family. I genuinely dont understand why ppl judge

Nody

Dicky Pride wrote: »

Cause he's an animal and generally animals are happier outside.

And if it was a wild animal I'd agree with you; this is not a wild animal however but rather a domestic pet. Dogs not around humans have a history, accross various breeds and situations, shown to take poorly from being left alone outside inc. developing behaviours which are damaging for the owner and the dog (DBB for example as a trained dog behavourist could give you examples I'm quite certain of as could many others).

That does not mean dogs can't sleep outside (indeed some prefer it) but the question to OP was why they, in their specific situation, wanted it to sleep outside. The reason for the question was to try to determine if it was left outside due to lack of knowledge (to ensure the OP could get a chance to educate themselves if they thought it had to be outside to be a guard dog or avoid things such as "showing who's the alpha leader" BS) or if there were other reasons which the OP had not chosen to disclose at the time to ensure the best possible answer could be given. Why? Because it is a loaded subject and the posts above simply prove that point.

pjwhite99

Nody wrote: »

Why do you want him to sleep outside?

Because a big dog like that is an outside dog, not an in door dog

I would still let him in but he should be out doors most off the time

mr lee

arent malmutes equipped for cold weather,if he has a nice warm bed,with no draughts on him i would say he would be alright,also make sure he has a full belly,
i see no problem with that breed.

andreac

pjwhite99 wrote: »

Because a big dog like that is an outside dog, not an in door dog

I would still let him in but he should be out doors most off the time

I have 3 big dogs who live indoors. Size doesnt determine whether they should be inside or out. Why should it be an outside dog?

The_Mask

They say Acquiring a dog is your only chance to choose a relative. Would you put your mother in law out the back garden?!

pjwhite99

Just think he is to big to be in the house all the time.

I though there good with the cold there a snow dog

borderlinemeath

Dicky Pride wrote: »

Cause he's an animal and generally animals are happier outside.

Really? Are you so tuned in to animal behaviour that you know what the dog wants?:rolleyes:

Dogs are one of the most social animals there is. Humans domesticated them thousands of years ago to be companion animals and be part of the family, yet somewhere along the way, humans started building houses, yet got this notion that the dog preferred to be outside. It seems to be quite an Irish thing too.

OP, a dog needs it's family, it needs social interaction, not just when he's a puppy but throughout his life. I have no problem with some dogs sleeping outside if for the other 16 hours of the day the dog is stimulated with work, perhaps in a farming capacity, or is a companion to a family member but a lot of people get dogs and never let them into the house. They sit forlornly outside looking in at their family who might spend a small bit of time with them in the garden, completely alone, understimulated, bored and may over time, become destructive.

Certain breeds as well just cannot fare well in an outdoor capacity, lots of toy breeds have too fine a coat, greyhounds and whippets also suffer with fine coats and also have little or no body fat to keep them warm, plenty of other fine coated breeds suffer too. You've got a malamute, so this isn't an issue but you have a breed that needs a LOT of stimulation, back garden living is not for your dog.

Nody

The_Mask wrote: »

They say Acquiring a dog is your only chance to choose a relative. Would you put your mother in law out the back garden?!

Yes; but don't tell her that :pac: (the dog would sleep indoors though).

borderlinemeath

pjwhite99 wrote: »

Because a big dog like that is an outside dog, not an in door dog

I would still let him in but he should be out doors most off the time

He can be outdoors most of the time - if you're prepared to be outdoors with him.

OP, from this and the other thread you had, I think you are ill prepared for the dog you got.

Richard tea

OP, the Dog will naturally use/sleep in the kennel of his own free will. Dont be worried if its raining and the dog is soaked as he will use the kennel when he wants it. Its still quite young so perhaps watch the temps for the rest of this month. If it stops dipping below zero degrees by the end of the month then you may start to introduce him to his natural environment of the OUTDOORS

Pretzill

The_Mask wrote: »

They say Acquiring a dog is your only chance to choose a relative. Would you put your mother in law out the back garden?!

Don't ask a question like that might get a bunch of affirmative answers

On keeping a dog outside I wouldn't - I feel it can be a lonely existence - but if I had to I'd wait until pup has grown up a bit - been fully house trained and start in the warmer weather.

Nody

pjwhite99 wrote: »

Just think he is to big to be in the house all the time.

I though there good with the cold there a snow dog

You do realize you have a very high energy, high prey drive and highly intelligent dog that needs hours of training and exercise (phyiscal as well as mental) every day to keep it from going literally mental? If you leave it in your back garden it will not train or exercise itself but rather be very bored and start coming up with ways to try to get your attention from digging, to chasing, to barking, to escaping to get your attention.

Leaving a dog outside is bad on it's own but leaving that breed outside is asking for trouble to come back haunting you... Did you research the breed at all before getting the puppy?

borderlinemeath

Richard tea wrote: »

OP, the Dog will naturally use/sleep in the kennel of his own free will. Dont be worried if its raining and the dog is soaked as he will use the kennel when he wants it. Its still quite young so perhaps watch the temps for the rest of this month. If it stops dipping below zero degrees by the end of the month then you may start to introduce him to his natural environment of the OUTDOORS

Dogs only prefer the natural environment of the outdoors, if their family is with them. They do not prefer to be turfed out into a lonely existence in a back garden with no stimulation.

Dicky Pride

Without doubt, the most arrogant forum on boards. Everyone else is wrong and you're all right. Pathetic really.

However did dogs cope outside before people started taking them into their beds.

ZiabR

pjwhite99 wrote: »

Because a big dog like that is an outside dog, not an in door dog

I would still let him in but he should be out doors most off the time

Why did you get the dog then? We are big "animals", does that mean we should sleep outside? Anyway, before I lose the head back to your original post, 9 weeks is too young, wait until summer.

Mince Pie

Dicky Pride wrote: »

Without doubt, the most arrogant forum on boards. Everyone else is wrong and you're all right. Pathetic really.

However did dogs cope outside before people started taking them into their beds.

Dogs have evolved alongside humans for around 10,000 years now and therefore like our company.

Is it really arrogant on our part if the majority disagrees with you or perhaps arrogance on your part that you argue with people who have done some research on how best to treat their family members? And yes, our dogs are family members.

VonVix

Dicky Pride wrote: »

Without doubt, the most arrogant forum on boards. Everyone else is wrong and you're all right. Pathetic really.

However did dogs cope outside before people started taking them into their beds.

What's pathetic about looking out for the welfare of an animal that cannot speak up for itself?

I think back in the day, hundreds of years ago, when dogs did sleep outside they were certainly not isolated. Especially not isolated in a back garden surrounded by four walls, they were able to roam then.

boomerang

They had company and the freedom to roam.

A completely different scenario to keeping a young puppy outdoors on its own in a garden.

ZiabR

pjwhite99 wrote: »

Just think he is to big to be in the house all the time.

I though there good with the cold there a snow dog

Again, why? You are bigger than him, does that mean your too big for the house all the time?

anniehoo

Dicky Pride wrote: »

Without doubt, the most arrogant forum on boards. Everyone else is wrong and you're all right. Pathetic really.

However did dogs cope outside before people started taking them into their beds.

If you have a problem with a post, use the report button. Do not post in this thread again.

For everyone else, let's keep the tone civil please.

Hooked

pjwhite99 wrote: »

Just think he is to big to be in the house all the time.

I though there good with the cold there a snow dog

They'll have no problem with the cold.

BUT... They, like most dogs, will benefit from being inside. They won't be barking, howling or looking to stray after cats or other animals. They won't smell from the wet and elements. Everyone gets a better nights sleep.

We have a husky. And another on the way. My house is modest in size. But, I couldn't risk having the dogs outside. Too much distraction and the weather being deciding factors. That, and any would be thieves.

Each to their own, I guess...

MayoSalmon

Personally I have no real problem with a dog sleeping/living outside. I do have a problem with a dog being left on its own for a prolonged amount of time inside or out.

That being said putting a puppy outside in this weather and at 9 weeks of age is not right.

cocker5

Personally I dont see the point of having a dog unless it is part of the family and IMO that emans sleeping inside - but thats just me.

I do realise however certain breeds of dog may prefer to slepp outdoors by choice , or so im told...

what i cannot understand and will not ever accept as ok to have a dog who sleeps outside and spends most of his time outside in a garden as a lovely "garden decoration" :mad:. that looks great for a family looking out the back.... how nice for the dog!

OP not directed at you just making a point.

9 weeks IMO is faaaar too young to even but thinking about putting him outside... God sure even the howling wind will scare the crap out of him ... let alone all the rain, coldness and general lonleiness for the poor fella.

sillysmiles

OP are you home during the day with the pup? If not you have also want to think about when the pup is going to be trained and socialised. As a young pup, now is the perfect time to use having him in the house to train him to be the dog you want.
Eventually as he get older and knows that you are his family and you will come back for him in the morning, being outside at night shouldn't be a problem but at this age I would imagine you run the risk of a) missing vital training time and b) increasing the chances of instilling separation anxiety.

What I mean by missing out on training is that at this age the should only have training for a few minutes at a time but if he is inside with you, then you will get lots more of those few minutes during the evening. There are lots of other people who have lots more experience in training a pup so I'm very open to being corrected about this.

I suppose you need to have a think about what do you want your dog to be as a grown up dog, and think of how to best to start training him now to achieve that. Good luck.

mel.b

OP, I'm really worried about you and this gorgeous little puppy While you said in another post that a 'neighbour' has a Mal and therefore you know about them, your posts indicate otherwise. If you think a 9 week old pup is big, then you are in for one massive shock.

However to answer your question,

With my Mal that I had in Australia, she slept outside from day 3 after I got her. However, I had a large (10m x 10m) undercover area and then she had a specially built kennel in the undercover area. The kennel that was a perfect fit for her trampoline bed. It really was her den.

With Cooper, my almost 11mth old Mal that I have here in Ireland, he has not spent a single night outside and never will. He sleeps on his mat in the hallway and I don't hear a peep out of him all night.

Malamutes are one of the few breeds that will cope with the cold being outside at night. However as other posters have mentioned the pup needs to be part of your life, very well socialised and trained or I can see this dog looking for a new home in less than 2 yrs. The other risk of leaving your pup outside at night is theft and that's not a risk I'm prepared to take.

ShaShaBear

Agree with above poster

You could argue and debate whether or not a specific dog or breed of dog would prefer to be or benefit from being outside at night.

But what you cant debate or argue is that, in this day and age, all outside dogs are a target for theft.

Hooked

ShaShaBear wrote: »

Agree with above poster

You could argue and debate whether or not a specific dog or breed of dog would prefer to be or benefit from being outside at night.

But what you cant debate or argue is that, in this day and age, all outside dogs are a target for theft.

...and complaints from Neighbours (I forgot to mention above) about the noise.

ShaShaBear

Hooked wrote: »

...and complaints from Neighbours (I forgot to mention above) about the noise.

Rottie next door to us has been howling like a maniac in this weather. ISPCA won't do a thing because he is fed and has a shed to sleep in. But the howling is soul torturing! All because the owner doesn't want him inside.

mel.b

The other thing to think about OP is what sort of fencing do you have. If you are determined that your dog is going to sleep & spend most of it's time outside you need to make sure you have 100% secure fencing that is at least 6ft high.

223vmax

ShaShaBear wrote: »

Rottie next door to us has been howling like a maniac in this weather. ISPCA won't do a thing because he is fed and has a shed to sleep in. But the howling is soul torturing! All because the owner doesn't want him inside.

Are you saying the dog is howling because he's outside in the cold?

Hooked

mel.b wrote: »

The other thing to think about OP is what sort of fencing do you have. If you are determined that your dog is going to sleep & spend most of it's time outside you need to make sure you have 100% secure fencing that is at least 6ft high.

And a foot underground... ;P

mel.b

Hooked wrote: »

And a foot underground... ;P

LOL, too true

toadfly

Would you not need far higher fencing than 6ft realistically? My Yorkie can get over 4.5ft no hassle.

lubie76

The family in the house behind me have 2 dogs constantly out the back in their small fenced back garden and the poor little things spend the whole day looking in the kitchen window at them.

I only ever see them come out to feed them. It breaks my heart to see them constantly waiting for some contact from them. They probably thought they would get 2 to keep each other company but I never see them interact just look in at the family

Sorry OP I know you meant you were leaving your dog out at night only but do you really know he wants to be out there by himself.

Superdedupity

We have 8 ft, concreted under, and I still wouldn't trust my husky.

They are a social creature. Ours is 7 now, and I've seen more of them than I can count on my fingers and toes come and go in this area.

They have to be part of the family, or you'll end up with one very destructive dog. Two have ended up being shot around here since last Summer. Beautiful dogs, just not getting the attention and exercise they need. Both times I've honestly felt like shooting the owners

boardbrowser

Your biggest issue as i see it with this dog like any young puppy/newly adopted dog is to build a bond between you and your dog .
If you would like your dog to be social to family and guests, house trained, learn house manners, not become destructive(digging or chewing in the house /back garden ) or prone to nuisance barking, settle down on his /her bed and respond to basic obedience requests ( sit/down/leave it /come when called etc) then you might never acheive that goal if you raise your dog outside away from you.
Dogs being social creatures crave our social contact and if a dog is denied that social contact then you you can expect either over enthuasiastic out of control greeting rituals everytime you approach your outside dog ( jumping/play biting/ lack of basic impulse control) or a dog that does his own thing and doesn't give a hoot about listening to you when you most need it ( socially appropriate interactions to people /on lead control/ reliable off lead recall).

I understand that some dog owners have accquired a dog in order to protect the house. A dog that remains outdoors( or worse yet in a locked pen outside) is useless if god forbid someone is breaking into your house. I get that too which is why my dog will always remain indoors and 12 years on even in her golden years she will hit the front door like a bullet and bark if anyone calls to the door or she hears and unfamiliar car pull into the yard. Best alarm system and deterent i ever need.
She also has the off switch when she understands that there is no threat'(quiet' on cue) and wagging tail and happy to approach anyone she meets outside. This comes with training ,socialisation and building trust between you and your dog and that means getting to know your puppy and spending quality time training him/her so that you can build that bond.
There is so much that your pup can learn to make it the perfect member of your family if you set a good foundation now for training.
Best of luck , they are a fabulous breed and great fun to train.

I can not understand the op...why do people get animals they don't actually want????

The lad can barely spell and he's looking to put his "big" 9 month dog outside. **** me, people are idiots...

sawdoubters

the dog will be happier in the house than outside,in the country working dogs are kept outside all year,pets are kept ndoors

DBB

Deleted User wrote: »

I can not understand the op...why do people get animals they don't actually want????

The lad can barely spell and he's looking to put his "big" 9 month dog outside. **** me, people are idiots...

Give the ugly, judgmental posts a rest, please. I'm pretty sure there is no correlation between spelling skills and correct animal husbandry.
Do not post in this thread again.
Thanks,
DBB

enda1

Not everyone who get's a dog wants it to be a member of the family. There is a vast gulf between dogs and humans. However if the keeping of the dog outside would be cruel then don't do it, if it would not be cruel and just be a "preference" issue, do. Probably best to ask a vet their view on it to see. There will of course be precautions to be made such as adequate water, fencing, kennel etc. as long as circumstances when the animal should be brought indoors (flooding, halloween, freezing/super hot conditions etc.)

cocker5

enda1 wrote: »

Not everyone who get's a dog wants it to be a member of the family. There is a vast gulf between dogs and humans. However if the keeping of the dog outside would be cruel then don't do it, if it would not be cruel and just be a "preference" issue, do. Probably best to ask a vet their view on it to see. There will of course be precautions to be made such as adequate water, fencing, kennel etc. as long as circumstances when the animal should be brought indoors (flooding, halloween, freezing/super hot conditions etc.)

Unless its a working dog, these people are infact selfish and should not get a dog. A dog is not a garden decoartion or pretty view from the living room window....

When will people educate themselves that dogs a social animals and dont do well living a life outside, alone and unsocilaised... its is cruel... fact.

Just beacuse we are humans and we "can" have dogs and other aniamls doesnt mean we should - simple as

The Bishop Basher

My dogs have always been indoor pets however I know of many people that keep their dogs outdoors and i'm not going to judge anyone for that. Dogs are not people, as much as some people may wish them to be. As long as they're loved, well fed, warm, dry, given plenty of exercise and have a reasonable amount of contact with their human owners then I don't see what business it is of mine or anyone else to have a say in how they handle this or any other aspect of their lives.

borderlinemeath

Swanner wrote: »

My dogs have always been indoor pets however I know of many people that keep their dogs outdoors and i'm not going to judge anyone for that. Dogs are not people, as much as some people may wish them to be. As long as they're loved, well fed, warm, dry, given plenty of exercise and have a reasonable amount of contact with their human owners then I don't see what business it is of mine or anyone else to have a say in how they handle this or any other aspect of their lives.

This is the problem. A 'reasonable amount of time' differs in everybodys opinion.

If the OP posted that they were starting training classes as soon as the pup finished it's vaccinations or that he had a schedule in place that the dog got a fairly good amount of socialisation and interaction with it's family then this wouldn't be much of an issue.

But between the first thread where he wasn't even convinced he got a pure bred malamute and thought it might be a sibe, to 'it's too big for the house' at 9 weeks old, sounds like somebody who got a dog on a whim and isn't going to put the training in. The breed in question is certainly hardy enough for outdoor living but needs a HUGE amount of stimulation, human interaction, training and exercise to stave off boredom and destruction. So a 'reasonable' amount of time won't cut the mustard with this type of dog.

cocker5

Swanner wrote: »

My dogs have always been indoor pets however I know of many people that keep their dogs outdoors and i'm not going to judge anyone for that. Dogs are not people, as much as some people may wish them to be. As long as they're loved, well fed, warm, dry, given plenty of exercise and have a reasonable amount of contact with their human owners then I don't see what business it is of mine or anyone else to have a say in how they handle this or any other aspect of their lives.

I think youve misread my post.... I dont have a problem with dogs sleeping outside although mine will always be indoor dogs what i do have a problem with is that MANY dogs who are what people called "outside" dogs are dumped in a garden, 24/7 with little or no interaction.. thats the difference. Dogs dont need tp sleep indoors to be part of the family, but proper interaction, stimualtion with their family.... thats whats makes them a family member.

one hour a day with the family, or being allowed in the kitchen for 30 mins at 10pm. is not proper interaction etc.... would you like to be alone for say 23 hours a day with no interaction? thought not.