hello to all animal lovers ...i live in BC canada ..and winter time is approaching here ..i bought a couple of lab puppies this year. this is my first year with any kind of pet. i made really good insulated doghouse in my backyard. but still i m worrying about them in coming winter time. some of my family members dont want them to bring inside ...so please suggest me if i need to warm up their house with a heater...i m afraid coz its made up of wood and i m not sure if sudden change from cold to hot might make them sick or not ....(bcoz they can come outside their doghouse anytime in night...)
so please suggest !!!!
2006-10-31 07:23:28 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yes, as long as they are old enough to be alone.
You said it was a really good, insulated doghouse, and yet they can come in and out as they like, so I assume you have a little doggie door that will keep out drafts and wind when they are either inside or out.
Labs can take a LOT of could weather. Again, as long as they are at least a few months old.
Depending on where in BC you are, winters could get brutal, and their little body heat may not be enough to protect them.
Heater is the tough part. Don't use a kerosene heater, or any other heater that gives off carbon monoxide.
You might run an electric wire out there for a small heater, just for supplemental heat, and keep it turned on low. The problem with this, is that some dogs, especially labs, like to chew on electric wires, so place the wires so they can't reach to chew through them. Also, place the heater in a space that they cannot "mark their territory". Ouch.
A standard incandescendant light bulb also gives off a lot more heat than people realize, especially if the doghouse is somewhat small. Figure that a standard 100 watt lightbulb uses most of that wattage to make heat, so in some parts of BC, that might be sufficient.
Some people are allergic to dogs, some can't be around dogs. A lab will be a big dog to be accustomed to being indoors, and I think it is cruel when people keep large dogs that need exercise confined to a house.
Good luck to you, Labs are good strong, hearty, and loyal companions.
By the way, labs in northern areas tend to grow much thicker coats than labs in southern areas, just for the very reason of protecting themselves from the cold. Check with the pet shop to see if they need any special diet for these circumstances. Age, temperature and help with growing a good healthy thick coat for winter.
Edit: I kind of agree with sciencenut above, except I think he made one typo about humans preferred temperature, and should have written humans' preferred temp is 30C, although mine is more like 25C. Many labs live outdoors in the snow and ice, as long as they have some shelter, and it sounds like you have a good shelter for your pups, as long as they are at least a few months old when it gets really cold.
2006-10-31 07:57:02 · answer #1 · answered by Ragnarok 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
I've never been to canada, but I'm going to hazard a guess that you have severe winteres there. Two young puppies need to be kept warm, or they can get sick and die. I know they can be expensive, but if your bent on having your puppies sleep outside on their own, I would advise you to splurge some cash on an insulated igloo stile dog house, especially the ones with the lil flap style door. We have one for our pups and they seem to like it. We have a brand over here in cali that sells them it's called "dogloo". But really, if the temperatures are going to get in the 20s or below zero, please bring the pups inside, even just letting them sleep in a dog crate in your laundry room or basement overnight could save their lives. or if you have a garage, it would be an improvement over leaving them outside.
2006-10-31 15:29:52 · answer #2 · answered by sxyblndcowgirl 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have owned several Labs in my life, and honestly, their favorite temperature is ~5 degrees C. If they could adjust the thermostat in your house then it would be set at that level, winter and summer, I guarantee it. My lab used to enjoy sunning herself in the sunshine while lying down on the snow. As long as there is a good wind-tight dog house, they will be fine down to at least -40 C, but they still need access to liquid water. Since there are two of them, they will keep each other warm. Humans are tropical animals and our preferred natural indoor-outdoor temperature is ~30 C, without clothing of course. Anything colder and we shiver, or run for clothing to put on. Dogs are not like this. There are a lot of air-heads who think tropical temperatures are preferred for all creatures. Tell that to a penguin or a Polar bear!
2006-10-31 15:44:19 · answer #3 · answered by Sciencenut 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
you never mentioned how old the pups were? personally I don't believe in keeping dogs outside all the time, what is the point? to me the animals that I have are members of the family and are treated as such. they need to be socialized, trained, loved and you can't do that if they are in a kennel all day long. but I am not here to judge...just stating my opinion.
look into heat lamps for animals
2006-10-31 15:48:06 · answer #4 · answered by julie's_GSD_kirby 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have always felt that it is pointless to own pets if they are only to sit outside in your yard all day. Dogs are social beings and want to be with their owners. You probably should have discussed this before getting the puppies. At this point, it would be more humane to find them a home where they could be part of a family.
Labs in particular are very social dogs and do bets when they are inside.
2006-10-31 15:28:52 · answer #5 · answered by schweetums 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Sure a lot of controversial answers here...I'm sure it gets cold where you are, so I would suggest that if they must spend some time outdoors, you provide them with a warm place to go and let them decide where to spend their time. Labs are short haired without much if any undercoat, so I suspect that they will need something.
2006-10-31 21:05:28 · answer #6 · answered by Okie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you ever listen to your weather reports when they say protect your pets and plants from the cold and bring them INSIDE!
Don't leave them out in the cold, fix them up a place in your garage or utility room if you can't bring them in the house or find them a good home that are capable of taking care of the dogs.
2006-10-31 15:38:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It would be best if you let them into the garage or basement or a designated area in your house for the evenings when the temperature drops. You can also purchase heating pads for the floor of the dog house and their food bowl.
2006-10-31 15:32:07 · answer #8 · answered by LadyDeathStryke 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its amazing to me how upset people getting about leaving dogs outside. I love my dog to death but come on people, they are ANIMALS. They are able to adapt to colder and warmer temperatures. I couldn't imagine keeping my dog in the house year round, extreme temperatures are of course an exception to the rule but for the most part they can adapt to any type of weather.
2006-10-31 16:25:45 · answer #9 · answered by truly_insightful 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People are upset with you for leaving your dogs outside, where do they think dogs were kept before now?? Dogs have always been outside, if they were meant to be inside the Creator would have dealt with that.
Point is, its ok to leave them outside. Put some hay or straw in the dog house for them. I wouldnt use the heater, you risk it catching fire. The hay, plus their normal body heat will keep each other warm and they should be fine.
Unless it gets too cold, then perhaps you can just bring them in and keep them in a bathroom or something for the night. Thats usually what I do.
2006-10-31 15:34:52 · answer #10 · answered by obsolete_allurement 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋