What happens to your dogs routine for going outside in winter?

[ReallyShouldKnowBetterAtMyAge]

We are fostering a rescue who prefers to spend her day time outside and won't go out in the dark (we are working on that with night time walks)

She has a tree she likes to sit under and now the weather has turned she won't come in even when it's raining! It takes ages to coax her and I don't want to pick her up as it spooks her.

What happens in your house during winter and rainy days?

I think it depends on what suits the individual dog. If it's dark we just go out in the dark, with lights on their collars and they have hi-viz jackets to wear. Although I don't let them off-lead in the dark.

I have two spaniels (Cavalier and Cocker). The Cav hates the rain and getting wet and she strongly protests on being made to walk in the rain. Cocker just ploughs on and isn't bothered in the slightest. So if it is raining enough for them to get very wet the Cav gets left at home as she would much rather miss a walk and the Cocker gets walked whatever as she doesn't care.

I have never, ever taken my dog out for a walk in the dark. They get one long walk in the middle of the day. That's usually enough in the way of physical exercise and any extra mental stimulation comes from training sessions at home. If you have to go out e.g. before and after work, just build up to it gradually.

You could always try a kennel and run if your dog prefers to live outside, with a light so it's not too dark. Plenty of working dogs live outside, they develop a nice thick coat and they're fine. Does he come inside much at all?

He would very much prefer to stay in the garden during the day time and then inside once it gets dark.

It's just when it's raining and getting colder now and I wondered what others do.

I had thought about a kennel on a palate.

Could you put a kennel there or a shelter ? My dog is the opposite he hates going outside in winter and suddenly has great bladder control !! He waits for you to open the door, takes one look and turns round

We could put a kennel out. I work part time hours and have so far been leaving the back door open (secure back garden) so he can go in and out during the day but it's getting too cold in the house to do that now and leaves are blowing in the kitchen. And every time we come home he is in his spot in the garden.

I have had a dog that preferred the outdoors. He rarely came in the house at all. He was a rescue dog and we didn't know his background so we've no idea why he was like this.

We had a garden shed that he slept in. He also used the shed for shelter during the day. If the weather allowed it I would leave the back door open and he'd occasionally venture into the house for a short while, but if I closed the door he wanted to go straight back outside.

I worried about him terribly overnight in the winter and I ended up putting an electric under blanket in his dog bed in the shed as well as hot water bottles wrapped in old towels. That's probably not recommended from a health and safety point of view, but he didn't come to any harm and I worried less. I also left an outside light on for him in case he got scared

Put a kennel or shed with a small doorway next to his favourite spot so that he can still lay out on it in the sunshine. Make sure it's not directly facing the usual wind direction and fill it full of straw and blankets. Straw is very insulating. See how it goes.

I wonder if I'm over thinking it. I let him out at 6am and then leave at 8.30ish. Someone is then back after school to open the back door.

I don't know whether to buy a kennel and leave him in the secure garden or have him in the house during the day?

Is your garden secure not only from him escaping but also anyone trying to steal him?

Do you live far enough away from neighbours any barking will not disturb them?

Does he have adequate shelter and warmth?

I am surprised fostering is allowed when you leave the dog alone for over 6 hours.

Kennel and secure garden sounds best. It used to be really common.

My new dog is absolutely terrified of the rain. I don't know how I'll be able to walk her in both rain and snow.

Well my little wimp was shivering until she was wrapped up in a blanket, she was sat on the sofa indoors in a room that is 18 degrees c. She spends as little time outside as is possible unless it is an actual walk when she keeps herself warm by charging around. I do have coats for when it is really cold. In the snow we have actually had to send her out quite sternly and on one occasion actually put her on lead just to ensure she actually did pee that day!

If a dog actually prefers outside then I would probably do everything I could to let them, a decent shelter outside and a huge pile of towels by the back door for when damp doggie decides to come in.