Am I being cruel?

[Ashtower]

First of all, my dog ( 3yo Husky) is beyond cherished and loved. We pay for a dog sitter whilst my husband and I are at work and generally just dote on him.

Well, since 3 am I've taken my boy to outside in the freezing cold at least 7 times - he has a dodgy tummy - no idea why. He's a nightmare to bring in as he plays dead. I also need to completely wipe him down as the garden is currently waterlogged and we have cream carpets.

I'm 7 months pregnant and do not have the energy to keep taking him to in and out. So I've attached his 20 m training lead (harness) to the side gate. The garden is enclosed but we always supervise him in the garden as he likes to drink from the dirty pond water (lead prevents this). He's never on his own outside for more than a few mins.

He seems very happy (looks like he's lying down right now) and I can mostly see him from the sofa. I've given him water and will bring him in the second he wants to.

I feel awful for tying him up. He's not an outside dog at all.

DH is coming home from a stag do and will be here in an hour or so.

[Ashtower]

So many typos, apologies.

[squashyhat]

He's a husky and yet not an outside dog? You do know what they were bred for don't you?

[BiteyShark]

I couldn't be arsed with taking my adult dog out in the garden on a lead every time he wanted to go out.

Rather than tethering him up I would spend the energy making sure the things you don't want him to do like drinking from the pond are cordoned off so he can go out without being tied up or on a lead.

[MrsPMT]

No, definitely fine IMO. As long as you are keeping an eye on him. My DDog (border collie) would sit outside with her ball for ages in the freezing cold waiting for someone to play. I do for a while but not for hours on end . When I try to get her in she runs off so I just leave her, fully enclosed garden.

[MrsPMT]

But agree would be a better long term idea to get the pond fenced or removed, whatever is possible.

[Apolloanddaphne]

Our Labrador doesn't really like it when we have loads of visitors. At Christmas she spent hours curled up under a bush in the garden in the dark, cold rain. She seemed unperturbed. Dogs like labs and huskies are bred to to outdoors dogs.

[Ashtower]

We only put him on the lead when we need him to go straight in and out of the garden. He's happy to come in after a bit of exercise. He's unwell so a bowl full of food is no encouragement to come in.

By saying he's not an outside dog I mean he's not left to himself outside for long stretched (his choice just not today it seems).

We've just moved house so we haven't been able to get the pond removed (on the list).

[Ashtower]

I'm absolutely knackered so sorry if my posts aren't properly written.

[Ashtower]

He gets at least 2 1 hour walks a day so is "outside" in that sense.

[MrsPMT]

Its definitely fine. I take aforementioned Ddog out on a lead if I have only a short time before going to work etc otherwise I'd never get her back in.

[WireBrushAndDettolMaam]

It’s fine. Long term I’d work on making the garden totally safe and secure so he can be left for a bit. With a baby you will need peace from him now and again.

[Gotaprettypup]

I have a husky cross, our fence is too low at one area, we had bought new panels but are likely to be moving soon so am hanging on for now so take her out on the lead to do her business in the garden and walk her away from house. If it looks like we are staying here longer I'll do the panels in spring.

[Nojeansplease]

He’s a husky. He’s fine.

You however need some sleep.
Can someone come and watch him for you whilst you take a nap?

[BiteyShark]

Our dog went through a period of not coming in when asked as he wanted more play outside.

I have a command 'in' and point to the door and when he 'eventually' came in he got a small treat. When I did this consistently for a couple of weeks he started to come in when asked rather than running off.

I appreciate you can't do this if his stomach is 'off' at the moment but something to think about when he is better.

[Ashtower]

I've asked a friend and my brother and they can only get here after DH comes home.

Looks like he is sleeping.

Thanks for the reassurance.

[Ashtower]

We have established a command for coming in. It worked very well at first but it's becoming less and less effective. My boy is not food motivated at all.

[Newyeardietstartstomorrow]

Absolutely don't tether. If he is happy outside then no problem if the garden is secure. Put removing the pond at the top of your list (you'll have to once you baby is mobile anyway). My dogs always find the dirtiest puddle to drink out of, but their constitution is stronger than ours! Perhaps invest in an outdoor kennel and run too? I have known farm and shooting dogs who are happy to sleep out at night and be inside with the family in the daytime.

[Ashtower]

Dad has offered to come over and sit in the garden with him - would def make me feel less guilty.

He absolutely needs to be kept away from the pond (more like a bog) as it is absolutely filthy. Fairly certain it's why he is sick right now.

[MitziK]

Have you considered taking him to a vet at all? He could have eaten - or caught anything, pond or no pond.


Once they've given him the all clear, the other possibility is that he's too hot indoors, as you've presumably got the heating on.

[Ashtower]

My boy gets the runs every now and again. He's bright, drinking and still playful. Will take him to the vet if his stools are still wet tomorrow.