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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dog outside all night

59 replies

Generalpost · 31/07/2021 11:23

I have a German Shephard. And she stays/sleeps in the back garden all night I have a dog flap that is left open all night so she can come in and out of she wants to . I'm guessing this ok but I feel like I'm allowing a small child to stay out in the dark all night Confused

OP posts:
DogsSausages · 31/07/2021 11:26

Does she have shelter outside, could other unwanted vermin and animals get into the house through the dog flap. Why does she sleep outside all night.

Bigfathairyones · 31/07/2021 11:27

Surely if she's happy with this, and is not whining/barking that's all that matters? Mine would hate it but only because he had very short hair, would freeze (even in July) and loves the sofa!

SchrodingersImmigrant · 31/07/2021 11:29

As long as she has a shelter and water she will be absolutely fine. All our dogs were outdoor dogs and came in just for cuddles or chill.

XelaM · 31/07/2021 11:30

My daughter's friend has a German Shepard who lives in their garden all the time and is not allowed inside the house. He seems fine. They are very strong and resilient dogs

Original poster
Generalpost · 31/07/2021 11:31

@DogsSausages

Does she have shelter outside, could other unwanted vermin and animals get into the house through the dog flap. Why does she sleep outside all night.
She does not have shelter. But she can come in when she wants so don't think its needed . ? I don't know why she stays out all night she chooses to stay out there.
OP posts:
Rhannion · 31/07/2021 11:32

Would you have a member of your family sleep in the garden? Your dog is part of your family. However I suppose if she has a safe garden and shelter etc. it must be a large door for an large dog to use. It must be like leaving your front door open!

CounsellorTroi · 31/07/2021 11:33

Perhaps she thinks she needs to guard the house?

Mrsjayy · 31/07/2021 11:33

Does she come in if it's raining ? I think if that is what she is used to then it's fine.

girlmom21 · 31/07/2021 11:34

If she's happy, not distressed, and the door flap is genuinely big enough and she knows how to use it I guess it's ok.

I would suggest, though, that a door flap big enough for a German shepherd poses massively security risks which makes me question whether the flap is big enough?

Id keep her inside when you go to bed then if she goes outside that's her choice.

Original poster
Generalpost · 31/07/2021 11:34

@Bigfathairyones

Surely if she's happy with this, and is not whining/barking that's all that matters? Mine would hate it but only because he had very short hair, would freeze (even in July) and loves the sofa!
Yes mine loves the sofa as well she has her favourite spot . At night she lays on the padding part of the trampoline all night.
OP posts:
MotionActivatedDog · 31/07/2021 11:34

If you brought her in and closed the dog flap would she settle in the house? Summer evenings I wouldn’t be so worried but in winter I wouldn’t let her sleep outside. Very hard on their joints in cold weather.

AngryWhompingWillow · 31/07/2021 11:34

If she can get in and out of the house OK, then I don't see an issue with it. Smile

As long as doggo isn't barking all night annoying the neighbours. Grin

Mrsjayy · 31/07/2021 11:35

We had a collie who would have stayed out all night if we let him.

DogsSausages · 31/07/2021 11:36

Personally I would put a large kennel out there, there might be times when the weather is really bad, she gets cold, scared or Injured and cannot make it to the door. I would also worry about other animals getting in.

CounsellorTroi · 31/07/2021 11:36

@Rhannion

Would you have a member of your family sleep in the garden? Your dog is part of your family. However I suppose if she has a safe garden and shelter etc. it must be a large door for an large dog to use. It must be like leaving your front door open!
Yes but no intruder in their right mind would try to get in with a GSD watching them!
StarryStarrySocks · 31/07/2021 11:37

It's a dog, they're wild animals. I'm sure it will be perfectly fine outside.

Original poster
Generalpost · 31/07/2021 11:38

@girlmom21

If she's happy, not distressed, and the door flap is genuinely big enough and she knows how to use it I guess it's ok.

I would suggest, though, that a door flap big enough for a German shepherd poses massively security risks which makes me question whether the flap is big enough?

Id keep her inside when you go to bed then if she goes outside that's her choice.

It's definitely big enough. She gos in and out easy. There's no security risk . There are gardens ti the side and at the back of me. Plus the dog is not going to let anyone in
OP posts:
MotionActivatedDog · 31/07/2021 11:39

@StarryStarrySocks

It's a dog, they're wild animals. I'm sure it will be perfectly fine outside.
No, they’re domesticated animals. Many of which have had their natural ability to withstand the elements bred out of them over thousands of years.
Sparrowfeeder · 31/07/2021 11:39

I’d be worried about dog theft honestly. I never leave mine outside unattended. Depends where you live maybe but still.

Original poster
Generalpost · 31/07/2021 11:39

You would have to be mad to try and pass a German Shephard you don't know Grin

OP posts:
SchrodingersImmigrant · 31/07/2021 11:41

No, they’re domesticated animals. Many of which have had their natural ability to withstand the elements bred out of them over thousands of years.

They really can survive it ok... Especially with shelter. The only time ours slept inside was when it was - 15 and worse outside. They had heated kennel, but still.

Jurassicparkinajug · 31/07/2021 11:42

I have a German shepherd too and I'm sure he'd love to sleep outside if he could. He gets so hot even in winter I feel cruel sometimes making him come indoors. But our garden isn't quite secure enough but otherwise i'd let him

TiredSloth · 31/07/2021 11:44

My daughter's friend has a German Shepard who lives in their garden all the time and is not allowed inside the house. He seems fine. They are very strong and resilient dogs

This makes me so sad. So in the pouring rain or freezing winter the dog isn’t allowed in the house? That’s awful. Why have a dog if it isn’t going to be a part of the family?

ohthatbloodycat · 31/07/2021 11:46

This doesn't apply to you OP, but I don't see why someone would get a dog as a family pet, only to not allow it to live indoors Confused

Hothammock · 31/07/2021 11:47

I have a male terrier who does exactly the same. He also has a dog door and can come in whenever he likes. He chills for hours and hours on the padded part of the trampoline or on the patio table just staring at the moon. Sometimes he does lengthy barky howly sessions and then I have to bring him in for noise control lol. It's just dogs doing their guarding thing.
If your girl has the freedom to come inside if she chooses I wouldn't worry. She is doing her job.