silly question but I need help!

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#1
Ok...this is kind of silly, but I need your ideas on a problem. Both of my dogs sleep outside at night, and both have blankets that they sleep on. They both have a doghouse, but they don't seem to ever go in it unless it is stormy. The problem that I have, is that probably at least once a day, they drag their blankets out into the yard (because I guess that is fun). Well that is fine until night time when it gets cool and their blankets arent on the deck or sheltered. THen the blankets get wet from the dew, and I catch the dogs asleep in the middle of the yard wherever they have drug the blankets to. Any ideas on how to keep the blenkets on the deck or in the doghouse? I tried a dog bed, but they just ripped them to pieces in a matter of days. It is starting to get cool at night and I want them to be able to stay warm!!!
 
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#2
:rolleyes: I knew some would say that but its just not an option. My husband just wont let it happen. I live in Alabama so it really isn't that cold.
 
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#3
alrighty...no need to snap at me and accuse me of treating my dogs like "lawn ornaments." That is just rude. You don't know me or my dogs, and don't know how I treat them. I simply asked for advice on keeping BLANKETS on a deck. My dogs are treated very well and are loved very much. They life they have is so much better than where they came from. They are happy dogs who enjoy being outside. When they are inside, they want to go out. I understand the risks of leaving them outside at night, and feel that they are secure. I sincerely would appreciate if you don't judge me, or jump to conclusions please.... :(
 
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#4
I am sorry if I came across as sarcastic. I, in no way, meant to offend you or anyone else. I just knew that your response would be one that was mentioned by someone. I know that my husband does not agree with your and many people's opinions of dog dynamics. Unfortunately, I haven't been successful in enlightening him otherwise. Thanks for your advice- I agree with you in many aspects. I would love to have my dogs inside, but obviously it is not worth creating un-necessary conflict.
 
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#5
Serena, there really are some people out there who just cannot, will not open their minds about dogs in the house - especially men in the South. One of the things I've noticed living down here is that the people who move here from other places have their dogs in the house; some of the native southerners do, but when I run into someone whose dogs live outside, it's almost always a die-hard southern native. It's - I don't know. I don't understand it, but trust me, there's a real mind set; I think it's so culturally ingrained it's become genetic. Charley's Mom hated having the dogs in the house; that's one thing that Charley was more stubborn about than she was, and she quit griping as much when we pointed out to her that the dogs were no protection to her if they weren't inside.

Melissa's best bet through the winter is probably stuffing the dog houses with good clean straw. They'll still pull some of it out, but it's cheap, warm and dry and you can clean it out and replenish it easily. And even when they pull it out during the wet part of the year, it keeps their area from getting as muddy.
 
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#6
Thank you Renee and Serena. I will try and persuade with the crate option, and will try the straw option until then. I agree that it is something ingrained in my husband's southern mind. I am not from the south orginally, and did have dogs in the house growing up. His mindset is that although they are members of our family, and he does love them, they are still animals, and are not treated the same as human beings. He had many dogs growing up, but they were always outside. It is a hard thing to discuss with him, because he can't see my reasoning very well, and it is so different then the way his whole life has been. Thank you both just the same :p
 
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#7
Both of our dogs are outside dogs and during the cold months, we scrub their doghouses and then we stuff straw in them. Throughout the winter, we check to make sure the straw isn't low, and if it is, we stuff more in. (Also, during really cold nights they sleep in the garage with blankets and a heater. They like that. ;) )

(I'm trying to convince my mom and dad to let the dogs inside, but they don't see the need for it. And since our dogs aren't house broken, smell like 'dogs', would eat the cat alive, and are big, they aren't really ready to even cinsider letting them inside.)
 
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#8
Growing up in Mississippi, we had six beagles that stayed outside for the most part. Mom would let them in during real cold nights, but that was it. They did just fine. But then we were out in the country and had a fenced area and a huge shed for them to sleep in.... I always have my dogs inside at night now.

Chazhound
 
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#9
I wish our dogs were inside dogs, but they HATE being inside (for long peroids of time anyway) and I feel that they are perfectly safe where they are. They are right up next to the house, have a nice sized kennel (smaller than a dog run, bigger than a norm. kennel) that is 6ft high and they get plenty of interaction and exercise. It just isn't really an option right now to have them inside. If we ever get another dog though, it will be inside.
 
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#10
Melissa,

I totally understand what you are going through. My ex-husband was the same way with our dogs when we were married. He felt that dogs belonged outside, or in the back of his truck (which I also didn't like). We live in Oregon, and can have pretty extreme weather here. I FINALLY convinced him to allow the dogs to come in the house, buy they would have to stay on their beds, or rugs that I had strategically place in different parts of the house. He didn't allow them to run all over the house.

Now that I am re-married to an animal lover, my Corgi, Chloe sleeps in the family room on her bed, and my Doxie, Jackson Browne sleeps under the covers in our bed!! This is the only dog I have ever let in my bed...talk about spoiled....LOL

Hang in there girl....just take baby steps with him, and I'm sure you will get your way. ;)

I think the crate idea is a good option for you. They feel secure in them at night.

Take care,
Dena
 
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#11
All my dogs are inside exept Chance..He has the garage..(at night the door is down) there is also a heater in there for extremly cold nights. He likes it outside. I know there is danger. But I think he is alright during the day and also in the night time he is comfortable. But anyway..Maybe you could nail them to your deck..lol..I really dont know what else you could do. If you sprayed Bitter Apple Spray on there they may not sleep on them.
 

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I don't think it's so awful for a dog to sleep outside..it depends on the circumstance. Addie hates it in the house. I bring her in every day and after about 3 hours she whines and stands at the door....if I take her out just thinking it's a potty break, she won't come back in..just stands on the porch by the door. By 8 in the evening all you have to do is open the door and she runs to the pen. Sorry, but that is her comfort zone. Also, my house is an open floor plan...I have NO place to put her or the cat to be away from each other, and Addie and the cat DO NOT get along. I put Hammie out with her on most nights. He isn't always thrilled about going, but he doesn't always get his way. They have dog houses filled with straw and are in the pen. I feel that they are safe for the night. I don't let them out in the harshest winter weather...but they still sleep in the heated garage...not the house. Nights here are for the cat to relax a bit. Sorry, but our 'pack' seems to be just fine. And, you know how I adore my dogs.
 

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#13
Serena...believe me, the dogs inside the pen are safe. The minute I hear one of them bark...I am up and checking. This is the country...we have guns. IF something were trying to harm my pups, it would be the last thing they do. As far as someone trying to harm them, by poison or something...that just isn't gonna happen. Once again...we are always a heartbeat away. My dogs HAVE to be outside when we have to go out. SORRY...but they would rip my house apart if left indoors....and I can love them to the ends of the earth...but that isn't gonna happen. A person can totally adore and love their dog, as I do...but there are times the dog has to be outside. It isn't the end of the world, nor a horrible act. I HATE when I see a poor little dog tied to a doghouse..and that's it's total life. That is not the case with my dogs. You know how much I admire you.....adore your knowledge.....but this is something that DOES have variables. (sp??) You cannot not possible feel that it is a 'NEVER' situation. Is it so wrong that my hubby doesn't always want to share the bed with a 'pack'....one of which snores to the hilt???? OH PLEASE. I didn't let my children sleep with us........read up on that and you will see I was correct. Now...say it is your opinion only that a dog should sleep indoors......and that's all it is. BUT....it isn't necessarily wrong. We all have opinions on how a dog should be treated. Hopefully we all strive to give them the best care and shower them with love. While I so admire you....I sometimes wonder why you cannot possibly EVER see any opinion but your own. I, too, have strong opinions...beliefs...ideals....BUT, I try to at least try to understand the other's thinking. I know, I know....you pride yourself on being blunt.................but hon, it doesn't ALWAYS mean you are right. Now.........I am still lovin ya, so hope you aren't too annoyed.
 

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#14
Well...you have your blunt opinion, Serena...I have mine. I am not so paranoid as you seem to be. I don't have folks walking around here just waiting to poison my dogs. And...sorry, but a gun does protect all that is mine..in a heartbeat. There isn't any more risk than me being struck by lightning at this moment. My dogs are totally a part of my family. I adore them with all my being...just because I don't have them in my house at night doesn't mean they are not cared for. If you pride yourself on being blunt......then I shall, too. I haven't noticed scummy people around here. I'm sad you are so scared. Yes, I could have all the animals in here at night......total kaos.......BUT THAT'S JUST STUPID. When there is no reason at all why they can't all have their own space. AND....I have private time with my husband. You be paranoid...I'm just not. Now....we shall agree to disagree.
 

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#15
I thought we could agree to disagree? Too much to ask? :) The world is interesting because it is made up of all kinds of people..all kinds of opinions and thoughts. Personal....not in the least. Can't we exchange ideas...even if we don't always see things the same.......and come out of it without the 'huff'? Can't anyone have a different opinion than you.........but still be a good person?


Serena....come on....lighten up. I spar with you.....I respect you....I just don't always have to agree with you without assault do I? Seriously, don't be so darned defensive.
 

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#16
Wow...that's all I can say. Wow. You do leave me speechless with your attitude. This will end this.....just can't see why you can't listen to any opinion but your own. But..that's fine with me. Not going to continue with this discussion. But...as my Mom once said..it's not what you say..it's how you say it. So, maybe be just a bit gentler when someone new asks a question. You really don't have to sound so harsh. We know there is a kitten in that tiger...just ask anyone who has listened in while you were talking about the puppies. You're not as tough as you seem. :) You give excellent advise, have so much knowledge....you just come off as kind of ...well....for lack of a better word.........harsh. Have a good weekend! :) And, for goodness sake...smile.
 
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