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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Dog Sleeping in Kennel Outside

14 replies

FragileTitanium · 21/04/2013 15:47

This is a question for anyone with experience of a small dog that sleeps in a kennel outside. Our little puppy sleeps inside, in a crate in our bedroom. However, she absolutely loves sleeping outside during the day in our daughters bike trailer. This seems to be her favourite place to sleep.

Once our puppy grows up, I was wondering whether it is OK to let her sleep in a warm, weather proof kennel outside during the night time?

Please don't be harsh. I'm just wondering whether there will be a day I can have a lie in....

OP posts:

issey6cats · 21/04/2013 16:38

with the amount of dogs been stolen from peoples gardens at the moment to be either sold on or used as bait for fighting dogs leaving a dog outside in a kennell all night would probably not be a good idea, and while its warm during the day it can get cold at night and roaming foxes would be a problem too i would say too many negatives on this one

Original poster

FragileTitanium · 21/04/2013 16:46

Thanks. I hadn't even considered these things.....

OP posts:

saintmerryweather · 21/04/2013 16:51

My riding instructors dog lives outside all the time, doesnt do her any harm. as long as its warm and has water i cant see that its any different from leaving the dog downstairs at night

pigsDOfly · 21/04/2013 17:26

It also depends on the breed of the dog as to whether it can take a night outside.

You say 'a small dog'. Most of the small breeds will not cope well with sleeping outside at night whatever the temperature.

furbaby · 21/04/2013 17:34

Sleeping in kennel does seem cruel !!!
Our staffy is up in our bed waiting for us when we come up .
Would never ever want it outside , he is a big part of our family and if she think its ok to chuck your kids out at bedtime then carry on , This would never happen in our house though .

pigsDOfly · 21/04/2013 18:00

I'm with you Furbaby. My dog sleeps on my bed too. Couldn't imagine putting her outside to sleep, it just wouldn't occur to me.

ThunderboltKid · 21/04/2013 18:44

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at poster's request

furbaby · 21/04/2013 19:20

Thanks pigsDofly Does seem odd does, nt it , why have a pet then kick it out at night . We have 2 staffys one sleeps in kitchen as she is 16 and now has a dicky bladder so its best she sleeps there as we don, t want a wet bed but our boy has always slept with us . Would, nt have it any other way .

Original poster

FragileTitanium · 24/04/2013 20:36

Many thanks for useful info.... Based on that and other research, I've decided to keep doggie inside in our bedroom at night.

May I make one comment? I understand that even asking the question I asked meant that to some people I'm an appalling dog owner.

However, I would say that if you really care about the welfare of dogs, you will answer genuine questions from inexperienced dog owners trying to do their best for their pets and their families with compassion.

If people like me are too scared to ask questions for fear of being so harshly judged, then they won't ask and will have to make decisions deprived of all the good sense that so many kind people offer on forums like this....

OP posts:

lauriedriver · 24/04/2013 20:40

Well said fragile & for what it's worth my little dog would spend all her time outside if we let her. We leave the backdoor ajar in the summer & wake up some mornings with her snuggled up on the patio chair. Through her own choice.

We love her & she's an important member of our family just as I'm sure your dog is to yours :-)

furbaby · 24/04/2013 21:02

Sorry did, nt wish to cause offense :)
Just seems wrong to me not to have dog either with you or at least locked in house. Mind you I have always worried about ours being stolen , don, t allow him in garden if I am not watching him . Too many staffys taken for fighting .

Original poster

FragileTitanium · 24/04/2013 21:06

Responses much appreciated.

Having only had experience of working dogs before, I am still a complete learner when it comes to my little ball of fluff...

OP posts:

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 24/04/2013 21:12

I don't think it's cruel to keep a dog outside, tbh, as long as it has shelter, food, water etc and is happy out there. I wouldn't keep my dog outside, but then he's a spoilt sod with the best spot on the sofa.

gymmummy64 · 24/04/2013 21:44

I'm with chickens. I think it's far more to do with meeting a dog's needs, routine and what the dog is used to. Although my dog sleeps on my bed, he definitely doesn't need to to be well cared for and happy. Gymdog sleeps on my bed because I'm emotional and needy, not because he is! If he'd been in an outside kennel from when I got him, I know he'd be perfectly happy - just as happy as he is now to be honest. Initially (rescue dog who hadn't lived in a house before) he had no concept of a house, let alone upstairs or beds.

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