Outdoor/Kennel Dogs

[SisMorphine]

Does anyone have a dog(s) who is mainly an outdoor/kennel dog? I have ALWAYS been against it (for myself), fully feeling that dogs should be a part of my family. But Mike has spent the last two days, almost the entire of the daylight hours, outside in his outdoor kennel (which is usually only used for 15 minutes at a time) and he has turned into a different dog! He's not as cranky as usual or antsy at all, and he's actually pretty quiet outside (he screams in his crate inside). So now I'm struggling with the fact that I may need to build a proper outdoor kennel and have him be a mostly outdoor dog. Does anyone here have a dog like this? Was it a new experience for you? How do you keep/train your outside dogs to make them feel part of the family? Sorry I'm still struggling at the idea that he may actually be happier when he's not in my home . . .

 

[jess2416]

Chloe stays inside at night and during the day (in cold and bad weather), but honestly she is a lot happier outdoors...when she is inside, she won't be still, she is constantly jumping on the bed, off the bed, running to and from the door whining (especially since it has gotten warmer)..

She spends most of her day outdoors, of course most of the time (when not at work) Im out there playing with her or doing some training....and Chloe is a well adjusted dog...

Of course she will NOT be out in bad weather, but she is happy and well adjusted and well taken care of so I don't see the problem...

 

[Buddy'sParents]

See OC's thread...

 

[gdsgregory]

Outdoor dogs

Hi!
I live in South America and due to the high level of crime my choice of canine companions were two Fila Brasileiros and subsequently I now feel alot more comfortable when I have to work nights and leave my family home alone.
My guys have a quite luxurious outdoor kennell which they almost never use preferring at night to sleep either side of the steps to the main entrance of the house.
It was a new experience for me, putting them out at night, but one borne of neccessity. Now at night when I go through the routine of locking up and patrolling the property before retiring my guys know exactly where their duties are and have objected when my wife tried to keep them in at night when I was at work!
During the day they are mostly free to go where they please inside the house or outside but mostly they like to be outside especially as my 4 year old daughter is mostly outside after school. The ever watchfull eyes!
In the evening they are always at our feet inside as part of our family and I do believe that this time is reinforcing the family bond that we have more than any other time that we spend together.
After sundown, if I leave the property, they refuse to come inside choosing instead to go into "major patrol mode" outside.
I think that, amongst other things, my guys are happy to be outside as they have identified that their role in our "pack" is as guardian especially if I am not home and that gives them a strong sense of value and belonging in the "pack".
Of course the climate here is perfectly agreeable for year round living outside.
Hey if your guy is happier outside what would be to love him more? Inside or outside?

 

[SisMorphine]

See OC's thread...

Thanks that link is great. OC how did I know you'd have some answers for me. LOL!

 

[Buddy'sParents]

You're welcome.

 

[oc_spirit]

Hehehe its magic!! I give you answers without saying a word LOL Thanks Nicole The outside world gives mental stimulation, there are birds flying, people walking, cars driving, other dogs barking, ducks and geese swimming around and squaking, kids running around playing, and beavers building their dam. The boys always have some movement to watch whereas inside they maybe can hear some of the noises but cant see much more than walls except for what they can see from the sliding door....

I think its a great idea that you''re letting your dog do what it wants to do! If you have any more questions about it feel free to ask me. Who knows maybe after your dog gets a taste of outdoor life, he''ll decide he prefers the house after all.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

You're welcome, Ren. You give a whole new perspective on outdoor kennels. It's a great thread to share.

 

[Whisper]

You're welcome, Ren. You give a whole new perspective on outdoor kennels. It's a great thread to share.

I agree! I was really impressed with the design and thoroughness.

 

[casablanca1]

I had a Bearded Collie (35lbs wringing wet) who lived to be out. Snow, rain, nothing bothered her except the hottest days or the worst rain. She didn't live outside, but she did love to spend hours out. We had a covered back porch and she could retreat there for protection from the worst weather, and there was always someone home to keep an ear out for her. The two things that would worry me most about an outdoor dog is:

1) Someone or something getting to her. My dog nearly died after kids threw chocolate over the fence one night, and I always worried about stray dogs or sick wild animals getting at her.

2) Heat in the summer.

3) Escape

If you address those issues and your dog's happier outside, I don't see why you shouldn't leave him out as much as he likes.

 

[M&M's Mommy]

We take our 3Ms outside when we leave for work, and take them in when we come back, so they stay in their outside kennel for the good part of the day. On weekends, they can stay inside all day long, if they want to, but they seem to favor the outdoor more than the indoor.

Living in Southern California, the weather is in our favor, so I don't have to worry much about it.

 

[bubbatd]

I've luckily lived where my dogs had their choice ..... country free or fenced in . They've all preferred to be in with me .

 

[Maxy24]

If they do live outside then, if they were my dog, I'd spend a lot of time out with them. Even inside when you are not really doing anything with your dog he sees you and you may talk to him and occasionally give him a pat, you'll learn each others body language and emotions. I feel an outside dog can be easily forgotten. My dog loved to be outside on warm days but was much happier if I was out with him, just sitting with him, or brushing his coat. I would never feel safe leaving my dog out at night, or when I was not home, unless it was a working guard dog/flock guardian. I would never have a puppy out (or new dog), I'd wait until you had a close bond built up before having him out. That's just my opinion. And of course if the weather is bad bring him in.

 

[Miakoda]

Chains & kennels don't abuse dogs...........people do.

EDIT: Hey sis! I didn't realize you were the o.p. You should know what I think. In your case, I would definitely try the outdoor kennel. Not all dogs prefer to be inside.

 

[SisMorphine]

Do you have any updated pics of your kennel, OC? Right now I have to make sure that whatever kennel set up I use can be easily taken apart and moved since I'll be moving at some point this summer. I probably will try to do perhaps a dogloo type house for the moment until I move. It isn't winter and I should be moving before it gets super hot so I don't think that'll be an issue.

I figure I'll let him stay out if it's a nice day, during the day (he's a WICKED weenie about rain and snow, even worse than my Greyhound is!!) and will always bring him in at night. This way he can still have some "family" time and feel more secure in the house at night (or maybe it's so I feel secure that he's in the house at night). I'll also keep up his normal training and exercise schedule. Currently my neighborhood/town is extremely safe and I don't worry about anyone causing harm to him. But that is something I will have to think about heavily when deciding where to move.

Thanks so much for everyone's help!! Like I said before, this is a very strange decision for me to have to make, especially seeing as how the other two are very happy house dogs, but he is just 8 million times happier outdoors it seems!

 

[SisMorphine]

Chains & kennels don't abuse dogs...........people do.

EDIT: Hey sis! I didn't realize you were the o.p. You should know what I think. In your case, I would definitely try the outdoor kennel. Not all dogs prefer to be inside.

Yup it's me I think we're going to give this a shot and see if it continues to alleviate some of those behavioral issues regarding being in the house. It will also be A LOT easier to keep him seperated from Wally and Athena.

 

[oc_spirit]

I really dont like those dogloo houses like a stated in my PM to you, but then again, I dont really like plastic houses of any kind. Wooden dog houses are the best!!! Then again, since it is only a temporary thing and not during any temperature extremes, you should be fine

 

[oc_spirit]

Chains & kennels don't abuse dogs...........people do.

Here! Here!