please could anyone give me advice about letting a dog live outside 4 winter?

Answer 1

You need to tell us what part of the world you live in and what the tempature extremes are. I rescue dog's and have so many at one time, usually that some have to live out side, but I live in a mild climate, (eastern Texas).I do keep fresh hay in all the dog houses and wooden deck's for them to lay on instead of the cold, wet ground. Dog's are domestic animals should live inside whenever possible because they do feel the cold or heat just like you do. When you see a dog shivering, he's too cold, bring him inside. Good luck.

Answer 2

What kind of dog is it? Was it raised in the house? You can not take an indoor dog and put it outside for the winter! Their winter coat will NOT be as thick as if it was raised outdoors. No matter what you do, it can't grow thicker fur now. It is mean and inhumane and if I were to see it, I would call the authorities! You chose to have a dog, now deal with it...INDOORS! The winters get so harsh here that it is a matter of minutes or even seconds, bare skin will freeze! Look at your dog and tell him/her you don't want them indoors no more and they are on their own! How would you like it if someone did that to you?

Answer 3

You didn't say what breed - most breeds "weather" okay - some better than others. There is no problem letting most dogs outside for the winter, provided that they have PROPER Shelter - SNUG dog house - with plenty of bedding (I like to use cedar chips and straw/hay). They must have unfrozen water and ample food. I like to let my dogs get a little fat going into winter. I live in NE Pa and the winters can be hard. The only times I bring them in, is if the temp is below zero for several days...

Answer 4

I dont agree at all with leaving dogs outside. But if you must, make sure it has plenty of food and fresh water (not a frozen block of ice) I suggest putting bales of hay or straw around the dog house to help block the cold and insulatethe house. The dog will need a tight or smaller living space.... not too small mind you, it will curl up and need to keep as much body heat as possble to stay warm , it can do this easier in a a smaller, well insulated spot. Make sure it is sheltered from the wind and rain. If you can, make the entry way of the dog house an L shape, so he walks in and turns into the living space. Unless you have sled dogs or some kind of shepard/herding working dog who is use to being outside in extreme weather... you should not leave them outside period. They are a domesticated animal and look to us to feed and protect them.

Answer 5

It is very important to know how you are keeping the dog, and what breed it is and if there are any medical concerns the dog may have. I share my life with huskies, and yes they live outside during the day, but come in at night. I also train with a musher (who runs up to 12 huskies on a team) and his live outside all year long. Not a single dog is any worse for the wear, but they are the most cared for dogs I've seen! It is absolutely critical that your dog is able to maintain body temp if you are going to have them outside. Straw atleast 3 inches deep in a secure dog house is the minimum. Blankets will actually cool your dog, and a lean-too (3 sided building) is not enough protection from the wind. Heated water is great, but more importantly, is there fresh water avalible at least 3 times a day? and you don't need to let them get fat, they have to heat the fat too, it is not necessarily going to keep them warm like a bear, they don't hibernate. High protein, good quality food is imperitive, and socialization is a matter of time spent with the dog, not where it lives. Outside dogs can be better socialized than the indoor ones who get ignored. Being indoors only means the dog is locked in a house, not that it is more socialized or better cared for. That is a common myth. I have seen shih tzu's with no manners and horrible health, but since they live indoors, the owners feel that they are taking "good care" of the dog. If your outdoor dog has any arthritius, please consider a heated dog house so their joints don't sieze up and cause the dog pain, better yet, get them on an appropriate anti-inflamatory (NOT TYLANOL)

Answer 6

Many dogs live happily with access to the outdoors during winter but they must have appropriate shelter and heating and company. You don't mention the breed of your dog or the climate you live in, but very few domesic dog breeds are equiped to cope with prolonged exposure to the winter weather. Those that were designed to work in cold conditions have extremely thick coats and tough metabolism. Few average cross breeds or pure breed dogs have any where near tough enough to stand a whole winter outside without developing severe health problems or behavioural issues.

Answer 7

Dogs can live outside during the winter and be fine. If you live up north where it gets extremely cold, you will need to take precautions. Your dog will need an insulated dog house and he will need to be able to get completely out of the wind. Not just an open door to the outside elements. You can build a box around their dog house that he can enter and have his door to his dog house facing another direction. Pretty simple, but makes a world of difference. Your dog must have food and water at all times.....you can buy heated dog bowls pretty cheaply. The food help keep his body temperature up. Your dog would also stay warmer and happier with a companion dog sharing his box !!
I know you're catching a lot of grief about having your dog outside, but as long as you go the extra mile to provide good shelter and good food and water, your dog will be fine. We've raised coon hunting dogs for years. These dogs are not good house dogs. They love what they do, they live to hunt at night and all get along just fine in they're dog boxes.

Answer 8

How can you even think about letting a dog live outside on the winter, would you like to live outside in the winter? no I don't think you would, I would never dream of leaving my dog outside in the winter, he is like one of my children, why have a dog for a pet if you are going to put it outside all the time. My dog has his own bed settee and a quilt and pillow for when the winter comes he even has his own pillow, and no he isn't some little poochie dog he a beautiful big burly staffy, he is just spoilt rotten,
So my advice to you is if you don't want to treat your dog as you would like to be treated then don't have one.

Answer 9

Don't do it.

Its cruel.

How would you like to be chained up outside in the snow and sub zero temperatures?

Dogs aren't really built for that sort of life - yes some are working dogs and built to take a lot of exercise and harsh conditions but living outside all winter in the cold and rain and frost and sleet and snow is just cruel.

An old or sick dog or one which does not have a thick coat/much body fat or a nursing bi.tch could die in such conditions (and so could the pups in the case of the bi.tch).

Even a dog house is not much protection against snow and frost. Would you like to live in one in that sort of weather? I bet you wouldn't.

Dogs are domestic animals not livestock. Domestic animals should at least have a warm bed in the house to sleep in. Personally I would NEVER lock my dogs outside in the cold weather anymore than I'd lock my family members out!

If you don't want a dog in your house then the answer is either: don't get a dog or rehome the one you have to a place where he will be able to stay inside and be cared for.

Remember, if you left your dog chained up outside in the snow you could end up being prosecuted for animal cruelty. I'm sure you don't want that.

Answer 10

I'm not going to do what some other folks did by telling you what a bad person you are, being cruel to your dog for keeping him outside. Many dogs are outside dogs and do just fine. You are probably required by local laws to provide some kind of outdoor shelter from wind, rain snow etc. You should keep a heater outside for warmth, make sure he has adequate bedding and a water supply (you might have to heat the water bowl). Since dogs are social animals, don't ignore him out there! Make sure he has plenty of contact and that he is always comfortable.