Feelings about dogs sleeping outside for winter?

BMmeow

I believe little dogs should be kept inside during the harsh winter months, but what so people think about bigger dogs?

Ive a lab who recently turned 10, and while he's always slept outside in a kennel (with warm bedding and 2 duvets may I add!), I recently wondered if this was wrong and if its too cold for him during the winter months? Or maybe it was ok when he was younger, but the cold will affect him more now he's old?


edit: I just want to clarify, the dog sits in his basket in the conservatory all day every day and can freely go into the garden from there. And we often bring him in to the living room/kitchen to sit with us ect. At night time he seems to want to go out to bed himself, sometimes choosing to get up from the living room and go to bed in his kennel. Im purely wondering if at 10 its too cold out there during winter or if he can feel the cold? Id hate for him to be freezing at night when he sleeps. But if its ok for him, I don't want to disturb the routine and the way things are now.

cruais

Bring them in. I don't think its fair on them.

If you don't want them near your furniture, pop them in the kitchen over night.

Although, your lab is 10. He is probably used to sleeping outside and might prefer it. Give it a trial run and see how he gets on.

Its not being nasty to you, so please don't take me up wrong, but I never understand people who get a pet and leave it in the garden 24/7.

Ours are in 24/7, and love nothing but company.

Like I said, give it a trial run

BMmeow

we bring him in during the day and while we're here, it just when it comes to bed time we put him out into his kennel. He seems to like going out to sleep there tho, Im just wondering really if the weather is too hard on him, Id hate to be cruel if it was too cold, its not like he can tell me!

uck51js9zml2yt

My inlaws German Shepherd sleeps outside all year round. Hits +40 & - 20.
On really cold nights it gets to use the barn.

cruais

I think its too cold for them in winter. But I suppose that is just my own opinion. I have had all types of dogs over the years from sheepdog down to shihtzu and they were indoor dogs.

I know some people have the opinion that a dog does not belong in the house.

Give it a go! He will love it

ShaShaBear

I've never in my life had a dog that slept outside. I wouldn't like it, especially with all the thefts these days. And I'd be worried, especially when they are older, that something would take their life and they would be dead outside all night and I wouldn't know until the next morning. When Shadow hit 10 we used to wake up in the middle of the night to check on him! I'd be terrified of Opie getting stolen or managing to dig under the fence if he was left outside

VickieVexed

Right now our two are sleeping in front of the fire. In this weather, they are reluctant to go outside to do their business, let alone sleep outside.
As I'm typing, I can hear one of the three little dogs next door barking, they are dumped in the backyard 24/7, never have company, with just a filthy old shed to sleep in. It breaks my heart and I have given up hope of the spca doing anything to help these poor babies. The same old answer again and again "As long as they have shelter, there's nothing we can do" I hate the laws in this country.

OP, I have noticed that our ten year old girl seems to feel the cold this year more than ever, so I do think it would be good to bring your older boy inside at night.

DBB

I'm always interested in the idea that small dogs need to be in, but big dogs don't.
Now, I understand there are some dogs, big and small, that prefer and choose to be outside more than in. But these are in the minority.
But why would or should a big dog be kept outside any more than a small one? Their needs are pretty much the same, regardless of size!

Dubl07

DBB wrote: »

I'm always interested in the idea that small dogs need to be in, but big dogs don't.
Now, I understand there are some dogs, big and small, that prefer and choose to be outside more than in. But these are in the minority.
But why would or should a big dog be kept outside any more than a small one? Their needs are pretty much the same, regardless of size!

I suppose in some people's minds it's to do with body mass and heat retention. One large dog will lose less heat in a cold environment over a given period than one small dog. I'd hate to make any size of dog sleep outside and alone, especially during adverse weather. If there's a whole puddle of dogs who nest happily together that's a little different, but that's unusual in a domestic pet environment. For a singleton or a couple of pets, the dog's physical and emotional needs would for me dictate that it sleep indoors.

When it hogs the pillow it can be a bit much, but still better than a hot water bottle.

DBB

Dubl07 wrote: »

I suppose in some people's minds it's to do with body mass and heat retention. One large dog will lose less heat in a cold environment over a given period than one small dog.

Is this really what most poeple would think?!
I'd have thought most people who keep big dogs outside wouldn't put that amount of thought into it
I think it's purely a convenience thing, that big dogs simply "don't belong" inside in the psyche of may Irish people, because they're working dogs.
Or am I not giving poeple the credit they deserve?:o

Dortilolma

My guess it depends on what the dog is used to. As long as they've got somewhere cosy to curl up like a kennel with good bedding they should be ok outdoors. We've only had our little lady for a couple of weeks and she sleeps indoors in her crate - she took to it pretty quickly.

We have the kennel she used to share with her sister in the garden for her but she barely uses it and I'm actually trying to train her to use it more.

retro:electro

I wouldn't have the heart to leave my dog outside, he is my family. He sleeps in the bed with me and I get great satisfaction and comfort from hearing his not so little snores!

Zapperzy

If it was me I'd bring him inside at night. The cold definitely does affect older animals more than it would younger animals. If he is outside you might consider something like this http://www.zooplus.ie/shop/dogs/dog_beds_baskets/thermal_pads/129427 I got one recently for my fella who sleeps inside at night but is outside when we're at work. 7 minutes in the microwave and it's hot for at least 10 hours, I'v even felt it after 12 hours and it's still warm.

Dubl07

Dubl07 wrote: »

I suppose in some people's minds it's to do with body mass and heat retention. One large dog will lose less heat in a cold environment over a given period than one small dog. I'd hate to make any size of dog sleep outside and alone, especially during adverse weather. If there's a whole puddle of dogs who nest happily together that's a little different, but that's unusual in a domestic pet environment. For a singleton or a couple of pets, the dog's physical and emotional needs would for me dictate that it sleep indoors.

When it hogs the pillow it can be a bit much, but still better than a hot water bottle.

DBB wrote: »

Is this really what most poeple would think?!
I'd have thought most people who keep big dogs outside wouldn't put that amount of thought into it
I think it's purely a convenience thing, that big dogs simply "don't belong" inside in the psyche of may Irish people, because they're working dogs.
Or am I not giving poeple the credit they deserve?:o

I didn't say most... :cool:

There are human individuals who just don't care. Perhaps I'm anthropomorphizing the hoomans as well as the critturs.

VonVix

Couldn't imagine leaving my dogs outside for more than an hour (and they are a double coated long haired breed), knowing them they need their people and can only relax when they are in the home. I've had a relative say to me I should leave them outside and make the shed their house because they are "hairy and dirty" could say the same for half the humans that come into my home lol.

DBB

Dubl07 wrote: »

I didn't say most... :cool:

There are human individuals who just don't care. Perhaps I'm anthropomorphizing the hoomans as well as the critturs.

Sorry, I meant to clarify it, but I only did so in the second line of that post, that "most" referred to "most people who are happy to have their dogs live outside":o... I do agree with you that there is a mindset that big dogs can keep themselves warm better than smallies and that means they should be outside. Apparently.

aonb

This is my personal opinion, my dogs have always been indoor dogs: If hes 10 OP, he is going to have to "work" harder to stay warm. His old joints/bones are going to have to "work" harder to loosen up in the morning after a cold night. Why not bring him indoors and let him choose if he wants to sleep inside (bring his duvet indoors from the kennel, or he will be confused maybe about where his bed is supposed to be, until he gets used to it) He will be more comfortable and warmer indoors at his advanced age. (Although if he has slept outdoors at night all his life, it may be too late to break the habit, but I would definately try it and see how he goes)

TopTec

Dachshunds X's, Pomeranian s, Terriers, JR's, GSD, Alsations, Lab's, Retrievers and the inevitable Collie/Sheepdogs X's. In the Townland I live are about 30 properties, 10 of them smallholdings, most have dogs of one sort or another and I think I am the only one who has their dogs in at night. None of these are used as working dogs.

I despair at the attitudes sometimes. Over the past 4 years I have been told the various reasons the dogs are left out/locked out at night are because they are guarding, they are smelly and flea ridden, they are mad, they are brutal to people, they would hate it inside, it's where they are meant to be.....

I hate that there is an isolated cow shed near the mountain where there is a Collie X chained up inside to apparently guard the sheds... from what, the farmer couldn't tell me. It barks up until the small hours.... I hate that there is a 'retired' sheepdog which has to be muzzled because it attacks the tyres of any vehicles that pass... it lives in a turf shed at night, I hate that there is a decrepit old garage where there is a couple of small JR's kept permanently... they are used for keeping the rats away apparently......

I could go on but my blood is boiling.

TT

Outkast_IRE

It all depends on the dog type, and the type of coat they have.

I have a collie who has a thick double coat of hair, she is let inside the house as much as she wants during the day but at night she goes outside, you actually could not keep her inside she is always patrolling the garden at various times in the night checking out any sound. If you try to keep her in she will whine to be let out to investigate any sound at all.

She has a large dry wooden kennel outside in a sheltered position, every night she will look to go outside around 10pm.

If she wanted to stay in the house at night i would leave her but it ends up in her whining to go out. She behaves pretty well outside, she only barks if there are unusual noises at night, which i do not mind this time of year when houses are being robbed in surrounding areas.

Every situation is different and each dog will have their own preference, i think you do need to be very careful when dealing with very short haired breeds such as greyhounds etc

wandatowell

I wouldnt have my dog in overnight. I'll consider it when the temps really start to plummet but until then its the kennel for him.

Dubl07

wandatowell wrote: »

I wouldnt have my dog in overnight. I'll consider it when the temps really start to plummet but until then its the kennel for him.

Big dog, small dog? Any particular reason or just habit?

Tranceypoo

TopTec wrote: »

Dachshunds X's, Pomeranian s, Terriers, JR's, GSD, Alsations, Lab's, Retrievers and the inevitable Collie/Sheepdogs X's. In the Townland I live are about 30 properties, 10 of them smallholdings, most have dogs of one sort or another and I think I am the only one who has their dogs in at night. None of these are used as working dogs.

I despair at the attitudes sometimes. Over the past 4 years I have been told the various reasons the dogs are left out/locked out at night are because they are guarding, they are smelly and flea ridden, they are mad, they are brutal to people, they would hate it inside, it's where they are meant to be.....

I hate that there is an isolated cow shed near the mountain where there is a Collie X chained up inside to apparently guard the sheds... from what, the farmer couldn't tell me. It barks up until the small hours.... I hate that there is a 'retired' sheepdog which has to be muzzled because it attacks the tyres of any vehicles that pass... it lives in a turf shed at night, I hate that there is a decrepit old garage where there is a couple of small JR's kept permanently... they are used for keeping the rats away apparently......

I could go on but my blood is boiling.

TT

Oh, I hear you. I would say we could be neighbours but the truth is, this is going on in the whole of rural Ireland.

Aeternum

Couldn't leave our fella outside overnight, he's a great big pyrenean cross but he's a part of the family and has always slept inside. Nothing he loves more than greeting us at the bottom of the stairs first thing in the morning. I'm sure there are many dogs who do prefer to sleep outside, but I hate the idea of purely outdoor dogs, spending their life in a dog run or garden all day every day and never let in to the comfort of a nice warm fire.

We are currently homing a samoyed who spent her whole life outside and she loves nothing more than cuddling up on the couch for a snuggle! It's hard to think about the loneliness she must have felt in the past.

tinner777

lads, I'm married to a rural type :pac:

There is no way she will have a dog in the house, her dad, a farmer, has a few dogs who live in a barn with loads of old blankets etc.. not chained up though and do as they please when not working.

Given this what breed of dog is more suited to living outside. Obviously he'd have a big kennel and blankets. He'd have to be good with kids and other dogs.

ABajaninCork

Leave a dog outside alone for any length of time in London where I'm from and two things will happen. Either someone will call the RSPCA on you, or the dog will be nicked by junkies...

I would never leave my dog outside. I think it's cruel. He hates the cold and wet anyway, and likes nothing better than to snooze on his cushions on the sofa in the living room with his people right where he can see them!

rocky1813

I could never leave a dog outside at night. I have a staffie who sleeps with me. Her bed is beside my bed. I rescued her from Dogs Trust and when you adopt a dog from there they inspect your house and garden and they say that your dog should sleep inside and preferably in the same room with someone as dogs are pack animals and need company to feel happy and secure.

Graces7

DBB wrote: »

Sorry, I meant to clarify it, but I only did so in the second line of that post, that "most" referred to "most people who are happy to have their dogs live outside":o... I do agree with you that there is a mindset that big dogs can keep themselves warm better than smallies and that means they should be outside. Apparently.

Interesting as I always thought this meant breeds that have thicker coats which tend to be bigger dogs. Most farm collies are chained outdoors which I hate to see. Mine are indoors at night. But collie feels the cold less than the JRT Bassett cross who seeks in first.

Jezek

DBB wrote: »

Their needs are pretty much the same, regardless of size!

The mechanics of how we maintain/lose heat (thermoregulation) mean that the smaller the animal the easier and faster it loses heat. If i recall correctly, this happens to the square of the size difference - e.g. a dog the third the size of a lab loses heat nine times as fast. You might reconsider now and see that size does matter.

muddypaws

Jezek wrote: »

The mechanics of how we maintain/lose heat (thermoregulation) mean that the smaller the animal the easier and faster it loses heat. If i recall correctly, this happens to the square of the size difference - e.g. a dog the third the size of a lab loses heat nine times as fast. You might reconsider now and see that size does matter.

Sorry, but a greyhound, which is a big dog, would lose heat quicker than a pomeranian due to the difference in coat.

Jezek

muddypaws wrote: »

Sorry, but a greyhound, which is a big dog, would lose heat quicker than a pomeranian due to the difference in coat.

I meant all other things being equal, of course. However, I can't know how the coat compensates for size etc etc, and I don't see how you do know.

DBB

Aeternum wrote: »

We are currently homing a samoyed who spent her whole life outside and she loves nothing more than cuddling up on the couch for a snuggle! It's hard to think about the loneliness she must have felt in the past.

All three of my dogs were outdoors dogs when I got them, and my last GSD was an outdoor-only dog until I got her aged 7. All of them adored being brought inside, they thrived on it in a big way! Like yourself, it makes me sad to think of them being forced to live outside when they're so utterly happy and content being in.
Again, I know and appreciate there are some individuals who prefer to be outside, but I don't think it's something that should be forced on a dog.

tinner777 wrote: »

lads, I'm married to a rural type :pac:

There is no way she will have a dog in the house, her dad, a farmer, has a few dogs who live in a barn with loads of old blankets etc.. not chained up though and do as they please when not working.

My OH is a farmer, and never had dogs inside the house, ever. He does give out about them, but he also acknowledges that it's kinder to have them inside. I work with a huge amount of problem dogs, and ther eis no doubt that dogs that live alone outside are harder to train than those who live inside, simply because the same bond isn't there, the same level of mutual knowing-each-other-to-the-core, if you know what I mean.
That said, I'm not so hung up on working dogs, and by that I mean dogs who genuinely work for much of the day all year round, hanging out with each other and the farmer, and then have each other to curl up with in a deep straw and blanketty bed, so in all likelihood your father-in-law's dogs don't have it too shabby.
It's the chained up dogs, and the dogs who live alone in back gardens for hour after hour, whose owners I have a major beef with.
I'm not going to recommend a dog that's more suited to living outside though, because to be uttely honest, I personally wouldn't be prepared to deliberately put it on any dog

borderlinemeath

Jezek wrote: »

The mechanics of how we maintain/lose heat (thermoregulation) mean that the smaller the animal the easier and faster it loses heat. If i recall correctly, this happens to the square of the size difference - e.g. a dog the third the size of a lab loses heat nine times as fast. You might reconsider now and see that size does matter.

As Muddypaws says, greyhounds, which are fairly big dogs, have a very thin coat and cannot maintain heat for long at all. Other large breed such as boxers and staffies can also have very thin coats with more muscle mass than body fat and they too suffer.

Besides the fact that I'm sure DBB was not just referring to their physical needs but their mental needs also. Dogs are companion animals. They need to feel part of a family and for that they feel more safe and secure when they are closer to their human family in the house. Of course there's exceptions to this rule, there's always dogs that prefer to sleep outdoors, but I would guarantee they have a huge amount of interaction with their humans during waking hours.

DBB

Graces7 wrote: »

Interesting as I always thought this meant breeds that have thicker coats which tend to be bigger dogs.

Plenty of the small breed have profuse coats, are double-coated etc... overheating is as big an enemy to them!

Jezek wrote: »

The mechanics of how we maintain/lose heat (thermoregulation) mean that the smaller the animal the easier and faster it loses heat. If i recall correctly, this happens to the square of the size difference - e.g. a dog the third the size of a lab loses heat nine times as fast. You might reconsider now and see that size does matter.

I am reasonably au fait with the laws of thermodynamics and size-to-volume ratios... heat retention is not what I'm talking about, as I said in my posts already, so I don't need to reconsider anything, thanks
What I'm talking about is that being warmer than a small dog is no consolation whatsoever to a big dog when it means he's being left in isolation outside the house, looking in at the pampered pooch beside the fire. A big dog's need for social contact is just the same as a small dog's, and they suffer because some owners think they should be outside just because they're big. I don't believe that many owners who force their dogs to live outside are thinking about thermoregulation, they're thinking about the muddy footprints, the shedding hair, and the nice ornaments being knocked over. That is the angle I've been coming from since the start of this thread.

borderlinemeath

My rescue was dumped in a car park in spring 2011, estimated age 6-8 months. Probably a failed hunting dog. (for those that know him, he's very vocal with telling the birds he's coming) That meant he most likely spent his first few months of life sleeping outside in the arctic big freeze of 2010. :( He will never spend another night outside ever. Never, ever. His favourite place in the world is in our bed, on my pillow to be precise

Jezek

DBB wrote: »

Plenty of the small breed have profuse coats, are double-coated etc... overheating is as big an enemy to them!



I am reasonably au fait with the laws of thermodynamics and size-to-volume ratios... heat retention is not what I'm talking about, as I said in my posts already, so I don't need to reconsider anything, thanks
What I'm talking about is that being warmer than a small dog is no consolation whatsoever to a big dog when it means he's being left in isolation outside the house, looking in at the pampered pooch beside the fire. A big dog's need for social contact is just the same as a small dog's, and they suffer because some owners think they should be outside just because they're big. I don't believe that many owners who force their dogs to live outside are thinking about thermoregulation, they're thinking about the muddy footprints, the shedding hair, and the nice ornaments being knocked over. That is the angle I've been coming from since the start of this thread.

I misunderstood you, apologies. I thought you were saying they can both stay outside. I made the point about SA ratios etc to point out that it might be more dangerous to leave small dogs inside, that's what I wanted you to consider. It seems I was preaching to the choir.

Of course in my house the dogs sleep in the bed with me.

Par1

Our weather in Ireland doesn't get anywhere near cold enough for dogs to be a problem, the reason some dogs are kept indoors is because they are spoiled brats and mostly more intelligent than we give them credit for. If a dog wont step outside in the rain does that mean they are afraid of water?..no it is because they know how to chance their arm (or paw in this case).

Dogs have evolved over generations and acclimatised to the weather, i never recall the wolf looking to sleep indoors?...except in little red riding hood maybe.

Im not been a killjoy here people but there is many unfortunate humans that sleep outdoors in this country so it is certainly not a problem for a dog. I appreciate different breeds of dog have different coats but that is down to breeding - and also people who supply demand for these breeds, the fact of the matter is people are to blame for the dogs having adapted coats (through breeding). Anyone who has to put a silly coat on a dog has to realise that what they are doing is right but really it should of not got to that stage.

I agree that it is easier said than done to have dogs with suitable natural coats but the fact of the matter is that some of the breeders in this country should not be allowed to keep a goldfish never mind breed dogs. I would challenge anyone who says that a dogs coat should look a certain way, be brushed a particular way or be washed so many times a week. Dogs should be kept natural as nature intended and overall they should be well looked after and be shown a level of comfort suitable for any animal.....thank you.

lazeedaisy

Our 11 year old (nearly 12) greyhound sleeps on the sofa all night, loves sunning herself when the sun is out no matter how cold. Just a tad too old for the stairs,

medium size spaniel setter mix sleeps in a dog bed in the bedroom, loves the cold

Small terrier type sleeps under the covers in the bed, he feels the cold awfully, waiting for a coat from Amazon for him, he is currently nestled up to the Stove! But he has recently moved to the wardrobe for some reason, after starting under the duvet.

The farmer next door has a lab out 24/7 in a very small run, not a farm dog at all, small kennell for sleeping in.

It's horses for courses,

We took in a farm dog who was outside all his life, his owner died suddenly and he moved to ours, for the greyhound we think. Every morning the poor sod would take longer standing thanks to his arthritis, he moved into the house, where he lasted for 15 months after a cancer diagnosis,

Not being from a farming background I do understand dogs are working dogs and mostly kept out all night. Ours are pets we rescued,

DBB

Par1 wrote: »

Our weather in Ireland doesn't get anywhere near cold enough for dogs to be a problem, the reason some dogs are kept indoors is because they are spoiled brats and mostly more intelligent than we give them credit for. If a dog wont step outside in the rain does that mean they are afraid of water?..no it is because they know how to chance their arm (or paw in this case).

Par1,
Coming into the Animals and Pets forum and referring to indoor dogs as "spoiled brats" is really, seriously stirring it, as is bringing the situation with the homeless into it. I'd suggest that you try to make your point in a way that some people might take you seriously. Perhaps take a few days to read other threads and get a feel for the forum before bursting in of a Saturday eve to offend every poster in the place.
Do not reply to this post on thread.
Thanks,
DBB

Mo60

I have friends who lived in England for many years and kept 2 dogs and a cat indoors. Since returning to Ireland any pets they have had have been kept outside.:mad:

As I type this I am surrounded by 5 dogs and 3 cats and would never have it any other way. After all, they are pets and I enjoy their company as much as I hope they enjoy mine.

Willfarman

In rural areas this is extremely irresponsible to not ensure a dog is restrained and whereabouts known at all times. Dog can travel 10 miles in the night, kill or maim and terrorise sheep or worse and be home on the doorstep with an innocent head before daylight..

Kevin McCloud

Speaking from a farmers point of view all my dogs sleep in their own house.

Mountainsandh

I have a shih-tzu cross and he sleeps in the bed with me.

I hate to think of dogs sleeping outside, but I do think some larger dogs that have been used to it from puppyhood have no problem with it (in good shelter and comfort).

OP I would think the dog getting a bit older would be a good enough reason to take it in, I'm no expert but it is so common to hear of arthritis in old dogs etc... if that can be avoided or the onset delayed by bringing him in, I would do it, even if it means changing his routine.

Deranged96

Two big strong dogs- both outside 24/7

They sleep in a shed with a stone floor and a felt room.

I was once made feel guilty for that by a preachy woman who made it out like I was inflicting pain and misery on my dogs.... If I could turn back the clock I'd tear strips off her, wasn't self-assured enough back then.

Anyway their shed is on the farm so their barking doesn't annoy the neighbours, my favourite part of the day is going down and letting them out in the mornings they have free reign during the day (can't get out on the road) and no matter how bad the weather gets it doesn't impinge their fun. There was a period however during the summer we were keeping one of the dogs in the shed until the evening time because the heat was messing with him.

ferretone

Our last dog was a Dobermann, and wouldn't have lasted a night outside, even in summer, despite not being a "little dog". Our new one is a mixed breed of GSD/Husky/? , and despite having a thick, double coat and tough, stocky body-type, which mean she always seems to be toasty warm, I wouldn't dream of leaving her outside on her own at any time.

Dogs need companionship: this new one craves it no less than our shivery Dobie. In the cases where farm dogs curl up together in the barn, ready to join the farmer with gusto in the morning, that's perfectly fine and understandable. Ditto for the bunch of sled-dogs who live together and work together along with their human trainer, for whom it would not be practicable to keep the whole team inside, but who are all happy and toasty together in their kennel. But I do feel very sorry for the lone, so-called-pet dogs, who have been compelled to sleep alone in a kennel for years.

They have come to terms with it in a way, in part I think they have sort of "shut down". Their expectations of life have narrowed to the point where they simply don't expect to be really happy and fulfilled, but sort of drift through life, tolerating whatever happens, as it doesn't pay to get your hopes up, when they are permanently dashed. I don't think that's anthropomorphism as such, just a human way of seeing a very sad and real dog problem we have in this country

designbydan

Have two dogs. A red nosed pitbull x who is med-large size and a little jack russell/chihuahua x small size obviously.

Both are indoor dogs, I couldn't imagine leaving either of them outside regardless of the temperature.

But The pitbull is 9 now and shivers like crazy when not under a blanked or infront of a fire. She nearly needs to get pushed outside to do her business at night before going to bed. In fairness she's a very short haired dog, both are actually, so I think that does make a huge difference.

Also regarding big dogs outside small dogs inside. . . I think it's to do with the smaller ones generally getting colder faster too, their bodies are so low to the ground that even just walking on grass can get them soaked and literally freeze their stomach (I seen this happen before to a mini dachshund who was outside for only 5 mins! )

muddypaws

ferretone wrote: »

Dogs need companionship: this new one craves it no less than our shivery Dobie. In the cases where farm dogs curl up together in the barn, ready to join the farmer with gusto in the morning, that's perfectly fine and understandable. Ditto for the bunch of sled-dogs who live together and work together along with their human trainer, for whom it would not be practicable to keep the whole team inside, but who are all happy and toasty together in their kennel. But I do feel very sorry for the lone, so-called-pet dogs, who have been compelled to sleep alone in a kennel for years.

(

Ahem All of my sled dogs live inside, at the moment there are 12 working (or retired) sled dogs in my living room, all lounging around on the furniture, crates or floor :eek:

I do have friends who keep their dogs outside, but as you say, in a large group, with company. One couple have 27 huskies, I feel sorry for him every night, the dogs are in fantastic runs during the day, they have built amazing shelters for them, with different levels, but at 10.30 every night he goes out and puts them into their beds in their kennel block. I've been there on cold, wet nights, and he's sitting in at the fire, all nice and warm and cosy, and has to go out and put the dogs to bed - every single night. I think thats probably why mine live in the house, I'm too lazy to do that, I open the back door at bed time, they go out without me, then back in for the night.

BMmeow

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies, I just want to clarify, the dog sits in his basket in the conservatory all day every day and can freely go into the garden from there. And we often bring him in to the living room/kitchen to sit with us ect. At night time he seems to want to go out to bed himself, sometimes choosing to get up from the living room and go to bed in his kennel.

Im purely wondering if at 10 its too cold out there during winter or if he can feel the cold? Is a Labrador's coat sufficient for keeping warm in Irish weather?

Id hate for him to be freezing at night when he sleeps. But if its ok for him, I don't want to disturb the routine and the way things are now.

DBB

Would you consider getting him a Snugglesafe microwaveable heat pad? I think someone linked to it already?
They are great from the point of view that you can stick it under their bedding at one end of the bed, giving them the choice of lying on the warm end or the cool end of the bed
I have an elderly little dog here (not that she acts it in the slightest) who I do this for even though she lives inside, as she definitely doesn't retain the heat as well as she used to especially on a cold day after a walk. It makes me smile to see her looking as if she's saying "huh, I don't need THAT thing in my bed", then over the course of the next hour she inches herself steadily closer and closer to it, probably hoping I won't notice and call her a big wuss:D
You might also look into supplementing your old fella's diet with fish oils, preferably not cod liver oil, which is okay from time to time but should not be given to often. A tin of sardines a couple of times a week should make a difference not only to his old joints, but to his brain function too.

BMmeow

DBB wrote: »

Would you consider getting him a Snugglesafe microwaveable heat pad? I think someone linked to it already?
They are great from the point of view that you can stick it under their bedding at one end of the bed, giving them the choice of lying on the warm end or the cool end of the bed
I have an elderly little dog here (not that she acts it in the slightest) who I do this for even though she lives inside, as she definitely doesn't retain the heat as well as she used to especially on a cold day after a walk. It makes me smile to see her looking as if she's saying "huh, I don't need THAT thing in my bed", then over the course of the next hour she inches herself steadily closer and closer to it, probably hoping I won't notice and call her a big wuss:D
You might also look into supplementing your old fella's diet with fish oils, preferably not cod liver oil, which is okay from time to time but should not be given to often. A tin of sardines a couple of times a week should make a difference not only to his old joints, but to his brain function too.

Oh I think ill definitely get one! Our dog doesn't look or act his age at all, do you find it safe enough to use, if the dog decided to chew at it?! And as for the fish, Ive never heard of that!! Do you give it to your dog? Does it upset his stomach or anything? I will definitely try this if its beneficial! I would just imagine my dog turning his nose up at it because of the smell, and he can be quite picky!

DBB

BMmeow wrote: »

Oh I think ill definitely get one! Our dog doesn't look or act his age at all, do you find it safe enough to use, if the dog decided to chew at it?! And as for the fish, Ive never heard of that!! Do you give it to your dog? Does it upset his stomach or anything? I will definitely try this if its beneficial! I would just imagine my dog turning his nose up at it because of the smell, and he can be quite picky!

A picky lab? :eek::eek::eek:
Are you sure he has read the Labrador Handbook?
I think it's a good plan to introduce new things slowly, and if you feel his tummy will act up perhaps start him off on a more benign oily fish, perhaps a tin of salmon? Apparently you're better off giving them fish that has not been preserved in vegetable oil: you can give them fish in brine if you rinse the brine off a bit, or my own dogs are rather partial to sardines in tomato sauce
You could also opt for buying the senior/old dog version of whatever dry food you have him on... these genuinely contain more stuff that's good for oldies.
As for chewing the Snugglesafe, I've never come across the problem.. The pad itself very hard plastic. Does anyone else know of any dogs that have chewed them? If the worst comes to the worst, the gel filling in them is non-toxic, but they just don't seem to attract dogs to chew them.

ABajaninCork

My husband had a Scottie who absolutely refused to come inside. Not even when the weather was really bad in 2010 would the dog come in. So my FiL used to put hot water bottles in the dog's kennel, and heat stones in an old lemonade bottle to keep him warm. Dog lived until he was 19. And he had all his teeth which were in great condition - Snow white they were!