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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:
Original poster
Generalpost · 31/07/2021 11:49

@CounsellorTroi

Perhaps she thinks she needs to guard the house?
I wondered that she often sits on the corner of the trampoline with her back straight and her ears up like she's on guard.
OP posts:
SchrodingersImmigrant · 31/07/2021 11:50

@ohthatbloodycat

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
It's fairly normal outside of UK. I am on the other side of the specyrum and don't like the idea of a dog, especially big one, being indoors all day. Ir crated
MotionActivatedDog · 31/07/2021 11:52

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.

So perfect example of them not just being fine outside, you’ve provided a heated kennel. For a reason.

imamule · 31/07/2021 11:55

It's very normal for dogs to sleep outside in other countries. I believe in dog choice, if that's what it wants then let it sleep outside.

Cluelessbeetroot · 31/07/2021 12:04

We have a GS and when he was younger, he would have loved nothing more than being allowed to sleep in the garden, in fact it was a battle to get him in every evening. We didn’t trust him to be quiet all night, mainly due to so many foxes in the area. and DP wants to cuddle him all night
But anyway laying down in the rain and mud was his favourite pastime.
However now he is almost 9 he rushes in as soon as the first few drops start falling, so I think it depends on the age/health etc of the dog.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 31/07/2021 12:06

@MotionActivatedDog

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.

So perfect example of them not just being fine outside, you’ve provided a heated kennel. For a reason.

Well how often does uk go to these temperatures.... I said from the beginning "with a shelter". Of course we provided heat when temps could go down to minus 20 there... That's not needed here though
Xyz4567 · 31/07/2021 12:07

Hello
I have a German Shepherd also. I think this is very typical of the breed. I imagine she is sleeping outside so she can see your house from all angles.
Mine sleeps inside in a specific place where she can see all three doors into the house and this was pointed out to me by a dog trainer who was very knowledgable about GSD.
They are as you probably know the most logical and family focussed dog but need to feel they are protecting you to feel safe themselves if that makes sense?
I would try to get her to go inside and sleep on a really nice bed maybe somewhwere she feels she can station herself to see everything. Closing outside access may make her feel she only has to protect inside.
In my opinion she will be stressed if she is 'not on guard' so maybe somewhere she can be on guard but also relax. I love the breed for their logic.

RandomMess · 31/07/2021 12:12

I did wonder if she prefers the cool of outside?

Has she always slept outside since you got her?

MotionActivatedDog · 31/07/2021 12:14

Well how often does uk go to these temperatures.... I said from the beginning "with a shelter". Of course we provided heat when temps could go down to minus 20 there... That's not needed here though

I’m sure we’re getting crossed wires here. You say they’re fine with a shelter, which proves my point that they’re not fine just being outside which is what a PP claimed.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 31/07/2021 12:16

@MotionActivatedDog

Well how often does uk go to these temperatures.... I said from the beginning "with a shelter". Of course we provided heat when temps could go down to minus 20 there... That's not needed here though

I’m sure we’re getting crossed wires here. You say they’re fine with a shelter, which proves my point that they’re not fine just being outside which is what a PP claimed.

I take outside as not in a house, so yeah probably crossed wires
AlCalavicci · 31/07/2021 12:19

It would seem a bit odd to me but then my x Shepard hated the rain .

I would get yours a big enough kennel* for her to stand up and stretch in with a raised floor , or rest it on some pallets and some old towels / blanket .

  • It may be worth looking at a small shed instead and adapting that , they usually work out cheaper and bigger.

But if she is happy out there and can come in if she wants then I dont see the issue , as pp said I would have her in before I go to bed and then she can go out if she wants or come to bed with you

LakieLady · 31/07/2021 12:21

SIL's labrador would sleep outside most of the year if she was allowed to.

She prefers lying on the patio to lying on her bed or on nice soft carpet, the daft animal.

Planty13 · 31/07/2021 12:23

I’d only worry about theft

SueSaid · 31/07/2021 12:26

Seems odd to me. If it was crated or in a kennels in the garden fine but to have it roaming about in and out would be irritating, dogs really do need a bit of supervision. Doesn't it bark and don't the neighbours mind?

Plus don't be deluded about 'who would try to get past an alsation', surely any sensible intruder would just take a massive bone or steak to keep a dog occupied while they wriggle through the mahoosive and extremely convenient 'dog flap'.

Neverrains · 31/07/2021 12:29

If he’s happy, can get inside if he wants to and doesn’t bother the neighbours then there’s no issue.

Thecathouse · 31/07/2021 12:33

@JaniieJones

Seems odd to me. If it was crated or in a kennels in the garden fine but to have it roaming about in and out would be irritating, dogs really do need a bit of supervision. Doesn't it bark and don't the neighbours mind?

Plus don't be deluded about 'who would try to get past an alsation', surely any sensible intruder would just take a massive bone or steak to keep a dog occupied while they wriggle through the mahoosive and extremely convenient 'dog flap'.

Still a stupid thing to do, my german shepherd doesn't care what gifts you bring, if he doesn't know you he won't take it and definitely doesn't want you in his garden. The resulting barking would wake up anyone in a 3 mile radius

A lot of dogs of this breed are not food focused, we couldn't use food during training because he literally didn't give a rats arse what you were offering, what he wants is me to tell him he has done a good job and give him an ear scratch, german shepherds are all about their family and praise from them as a general rule

CaffeineAndNicotine · 31/07/2021 12:34

Outs loves being outside at night. He wont come in. Sometimes we have to try and roll him in Grin

RandomMess · 31/07/2021 12:37

Friends GS absolutely loved the rain and would not come inside if it rained 🤷🏽‍♀️

WaltzingToWalsingham · 31/07/2021 12:40

I think this is just the nature of the pastoral breeds...your dog is trying to guard its herd (your family!) and feels better able to do so outside. They are bred to spend a lot of time outdoors and cope with the elements. I think your dog will be fine and quite content outside, but I would suggest a kennel. Although she can go into the house for shelter, it sounds like her desire to guard is so strong that she would not leave her post at night, so an outside kennel would allow her to do her job and keep dry if the weather is bad.

BeeDavis · 31/07/2021 13:12

@ohthatbloodycat

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
I don’t understand why people are so ignorant about this subject. I had 2 dogs that chose to live outside. They had a kennel that was full of straw in winter and carpet in the summer. One of them had been born outside and it’s just what he preferred and the other wanted to be with them as they were inseparable. They hated being inside, as soon as they heard the central heating come on they’d want to be outside. Just because they were outside did not mean they were any less part of the family, they were bloody spoilt probably more than some dogs that are just left inside all day. We lost them both in 2018 12 weeks apart aged 12 and 14 and honestly it was the most devastating thing to happen.
Nutsabouttopic · 31/07/2021 13:23

Our retriever sleeps outside it's his choice. He has a kennel with carpet and duvets in it but he prefers lying in the barn and the cats and one of our chickens sleep in the kennel. When we try to get him to sleep inside he will whimper until he is let out. The vet told us that he considers himself on duty at night and is guarding us all. We live in the country. He will happily sleep in his bed in the kitchen during the day

Original poster
Generalpost · 31/07/2021 13:27

@JaniieJones

Seems odd to me. If it was crated or in a kennels in the garden fine but to have it roaming about in and out would be irritating, dogs really do need a bit of supervision. Doesn't it bark and don't the neighbours mind?

Plus don't be deluded about 'who would try to get past an alsation', surely any sensible intruder would just take a massive bone or steak to keep a dog occupied while they wriggle through the mahoosive and extremely convenient 'dog flap'.

I think its very unlikely that someone would walk about with a lump of meat . They would have to climb several fences to get to my garden . Then choose the one with the big dog In it. They would not get to the dog flap in the first place. Neighbours have never said a word about it . The garden is secure .
OP posts:
Flipflopfoodle · 31/07/2021 13:30

We used to have a dog door and 3 dogs. One always slept outside unless it was raining very badly, slight drizzle didn't bother him. The other two slept in front of the Aga, belly up, balls in the air. It's just what each one preferred.

RandomMess · 31/07/2021 13:31

You need a princess dog like mine 😂 she only ventures into the garden when it's over 20 degrees, dry and glorious sunshine!!!

It's barely tolerated at toilet time and refused when raining 🙄

FizzyTango · 31/07/2021 14:12

I have a long haired German shepherd. I’m certain he would sleep outside all night if I let him. I just worry about leaving him out there so I bring him in. He’s two and I’ve only just started letting him sleep outside during the day as long as I can keep an eye on him. But I can tell he loves sleeping outside or just sniffing the air and guarding! It must be a GSD thing!