Dogs living outside, mostly.

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The_Burg

Original Poster:

4,845 posts

213 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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Some of you may have read my thread about our eldest grey, now In a better place.
Due to her age and leaky nature they spent the summer in the utility room with the door open 24/7. Now it's getting colder Harry has Been doesn't want to sleep indoors anymore. Come 9:30 ish he wants outside. He seems in the best health ever and his coat is thickening up.

Is it safe for this to continue? This is what he wants and he has always since we had him 7 years ago been a house dog. Not properly outside as his bed is in the utility room so well padded but bloody cold.

Just concerned.



The_Burg

Original Poster:

4,845 posts

213 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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Bex where are you?

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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Hi smile.

Honestly I would say let him do this if it is his choice. As long as he is well, comfortable and got a well padded bed that should be fine.

You could experiment and force him to stay in and see if he settles just to ensure it is not a habit he has got into over his comfort (dogs are daft like that at times) but some dogs just prefer cooler environments.

My boss had an Irish Wolfhound and even in her older days she preferred to be outside (even though her joints didn't always agree!)

PS I may be off line for couple days from tom, likely being induced tom as due date tom!!

pikeyboy

2,349 posts

213 months

Friday 21st November 2014
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He'll be fine don't worry, they are tougher than you think and as long as they aren't wet they'll be fine. My dogs all used to sleep in a run out side in all weathers. As bex hints at, get them up off the floor as this saps body heat.

Jasandjules

69,825 posts

228 months

Friday 21st November 2014
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We have a spare shed which has a bed and half the door in place so he can get in there and be protected from the elements if he wants (we have one dog who likes to be out some nights, the other three are happy indoors).

The_Burg

Original Poster:

4,845 posts

213 months

Friday 21st November 2014
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Thanks all. Good luck Bex!

Will let him carry on as is then. I guess if he gets to cold he'll let us know by whining or barking?

bakerstreet

4,755 posts

164 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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The_Burg said:
Thanks all. Good luck Bex!

Will let him carry on as is then. I guess if he gets to cold he'll let us know by whining or barking?
Is this another grey we are talking about? Ours barely barks and has zero enthusiasm for going for a wee when its raining let alone a walk biggrin

The_Burg

Original Poster:

4,845 posts

213 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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Yes it's another grey. He absolutely loves it.
Bitterly cold last night but he still didn't come in. Seems to be thriving on it. He is in a utility room with the door open.
He has thick bedding which is placed on foam for insulation.
Spends all the time we are downstairs with us it's just at work / bedtime he refuses to come in. Though he doesn't like the door shut even then.

TwistingMyMelon

6,385 posts

204 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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My collie lived rough on a farm for the first six months, he will quite happily sleep in our conservatory that is the same temp as outside, hot nor cold never bothers him, he just gets on with it. Often he prefers to be outside , until it gets bellow 5 degrees, or there is fireworks. After 3 years he has slowly learnt to enjoy being in our house! Come summer though he would live outside 24-7.

Our terrier on the other hand would last about 2 mins and just bark at the door! He gets too hot in the summer and shivers in the winter!!! He runs straight to the radiator and sits there staring at it as close as possible when he comes in! Sometimes he runs to the fire and barks at us to put it on! Failing that he runs to his bed, buries himself under the sheet so you cant see any of him!

Dogs soon let you know when they don't want to do/like something I find

Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Tuesday 25th November 13:03

otolith

55,899 posts

203 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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I've got the fan going in the office at the moment, for the benefit of the dog...