I have three dogs. Two I adopted from school (vet tech program) and one is a puppy we just rescued. They are all outside dogs and each one has a 10 foot by 10 foot kennel, all connected in a row so each dog can smell, see, and hear the other two.
The problem is, one of them will not lay in his doghouse, even when it is pouring down rain, windy or chilly. There is plenty of straw in the house and in the kennel. But this particular dog dug all the straw out of the doghouse and lays in it next to the house! I have put treats, toys, and even his food in the doghouse, and he will go in and eat but won't stay in there. I've tried moving it around and in different directions but no luck.
I'm just worried that he will freeze this winter--he's a hound mix, about 45 pounds, and he's very fit-no extra fat on him. I feed him as much as he can eat, hoping some extra weight will keep him warm.
I can't bring him inside--tiny house, no room.
Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions?
2006-09-23 15:14:58 · 12 answers · asked by ? 7 in Pets ➔ Dogs
To all of you who have given helpful suggestions, thank you! I will try your ideas and I feel better knowing this is not uncommon.
To the few of you who haven't been so helpful, trust me, I've been feeling quite guilty. But, these dogs have plenty of space, with straw and warm doghouses, excellent food and vet care, toys like Kongs and treat balls, chewies, and plenty of human interaction every day. So frankly I feel they are very happy and well taken care of.
2006-09-24 03:57:37 · update #1
I use to work for a vet. You might be surprised to know this is very common. There are a few things here. He won't freeze. The straw he has will help keep him warm, and if it gets that cold he may sleep in the doghouse. He may just not like the house. Do you happen to have an old blanket you don't use anymore? Try laying that inside his house. Your scent my encourage him to sleep in there. If the house is big enough sit in it with him. Put him in the house...if he knows stay....then step out of kennel for a minute or two. Then return with a treat and praise. Keep this up but lengthen the time you stay out.
2006-09-23 15:36:56 · answer #1 · answered by misstigeress 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry the dog will go in before it freezes, but I bet it has to get darn cold before that dog isn't perfectly comfortable.
As a vet tech you probably know this but,,,, do NOT give that dog a bath and strip the oil out of it's coat!!!!!
At the very least I would put a partial roof over it's run tho' ,A sheet of plywood would work
I have a Lab that would prefer to sleep on the cement floor of her run when it is -10 deg instead of her dog house too, so it isn't all that unusial.
2006-09-23 15:23:34 · answer #2 · answered by tom l 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our lab hated her dog house, she didn't like not being able to see her territory. On occasion she would lay half in and half out. Once it gets cold he will go in to stay warm, but maybe it's to warm for him right now. What we did to keep her more sheltered from the elements was to add an over hang off the dog house so she was covered but not enclosed, during the winter we covered the sides with heavy plastic so she was more sheltered but could still see. Now she is a happy camper.
2006-09-23 15:56:55 · answer #3 · answered by B N 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not really, he just doesn't want to be in the doghouse. I think you've tried every way to coax him to like it but he still doesn't. I can only see 2 choices. 1. Let him stay in the house because he is not an outside dog or 2. take him to the local shelter if he doesn't fit your lifestyle. But don't let him suffer through a winter outside he probably won't survive because he won't know how.
2006-09-23 15:25:34 · answer #4 · answered by Janet lw 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's really nice of you to take such good care of your pooch. I'd say just wait for him to get cold and realize that it's warmer inside. He'll get the idea sooner or later.
Or you could just take the floor out of the doghouse, and when he's asleep, sneak up behind him and set the house down over him!
: ^ )
2006-09-23 15:31:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What's the point of having a dog if you want to keep them outside all the time? If your house is too small do the responsible thing and find them new owners. It's not fair to the dogs.
2006-09-23 15:31:54 · answer #6 · answered by nikki sixx 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Had a dog just like that. If he doesn't have a problem sleeping outside then why bother him? I just let mine in on the very coldest of nights and on the very hottest of days and didn't worry about him otherwise. It won't hurt him at all.
2006-09-23 15:25:48 · answer #7 · answered by I-o-d-tiger 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, you can put him in the garage.
also, you can train him to sleep in his doghouse. coaxed him in there with treats and toys. if that doesnt work, pick him up and put him in there and block the entance with your body. pet him and praise him. keep on doing this for a couple of days.
2006-09-23 15:25:02 · answer #8 · answered by Glitter 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they sell a scented spray at petsmart that attracts dogs. try spraying the inside of the dog house. maybe a blanket would help as well.
2006-09-23 15:31:02 · answer #9 · answered by justwonderin 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
why the hell did you adopt a dog just to keep it outside? dogs like to be inside. you do not to deserve a dog. i hope they run away and someone finds them who can take care of them. And if you are going to keep them in there during the winter, you will kill him.
2006-09-23 15:44:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋