Our puppy won't come in at night

[MattDillonsPants]

I've posted about him here before when we first got him...he's almost 5 months old, a Maremma.

He's gorgeous and incredibly good for such a young dog...he likes the garden A LOT and because we live in Australia, it's big...so he plays out there all day apart from when we take him for a walk...and comes inside only when he wants to including at night. I've tried to get him to come indoors to sleep because it's just starting to cool down now...Autumn here...but no. He HAS to sleep outside.

Is it ok? He has a kennel but he chooses to lie either on his blanket by the back door...or on a certain patch of grass near the patio. Why? He's very affectionate and has a good relationship with us. I worry that when winter comes he will be cold.

If I pop outside at night, he's pleased to see me and likes me to sit by him and stroke him but when I go back in ...I hold the door open and ask him to come with me and he just ignores me.

I keep worrying that when he's fully grown he will be more like a guard dog than a pet!

When he comes in during the day, he just roams about the house as though he can't settle. He will sit by me as long as I'm petting him and talking to him but if I stop and expect him to lie down or something, then he's off. Either outside or on patrol from room to room.

[Sallyhasleftthebuilding]

Could you change his dinner to bedtime so he comes in because he's hungry?

[MattDillonsPants]

He eats outside...

[MattDillonsPants]

Also he comes in at dusk for a bit of a cuddle and then goes and stands by the back door to get out again...

[lulubash18]

Have just seen your beautiful Maremma breed on Crufts. Described as independent, loyal and prefer to be outside in all weathers as bred to replace shepherds!! Nothing to worry about by the sound just acting on instinct..

[FloralFondant]

Did you research the breed? They're not really family pets , they're livestock guard dogs so will want to be outside