We live in Northeast Alabama and it sometimes gets below freezing here. We have a 13 year old black lab that lives outside. He sleeps in an insulated doghouse with plastic doors filled with blankets and hay. The doghouse is also under our carport. Is he staying warm enough or am I just worrying too much? I thought about those doggie warmer things from Petco but they seem so expensive and I really dont want anything that you plug up in a doghouse. If I fill up a gallon jug with hot water and put a lid on it will it help? Any other ideas?
2007-01-11 12:17:43 · 15 answers · asked by Cricket 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I go to the goodwill and buy kid sweaters for my 11 year old dog. Make sure that it does not cover up his peepee and change the sweater if it gets damp or wet. I put big thick blankets and comforters in his dog house. When it is REALLY cold out side I bring him inside and put him in a doggy pen. In the morning you just let him back out and he will be fine. Just make sure his dog house is facing east/southeast away from the wind but in the sun. Make sure he has fresh water several times a day (water helps to keep them warm).I have always had outside dogs and I would not have it any other way.I love my FOUR dogs (Bassett Hound,Jack Russell, 1/2 Cocker Spaniel and mutt and last but not least, my ol' fav Milo my mutt.He loves to be outside. He would miss out on chasing the birds and squirrels, keeping a look out on his yard and knowing who was comin and goin in HIS yard if I keep him in the house. I hope I have helped you in someway. Just keep lovin your dog and he will keep lovin you back.
2007-01-11 14:31:35 · answer #1 · answered by dogowner 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First and foremost would you like to be outside in the cold all the time with little to no attention? If you have enough thought to think of a way to keep her warm then you should have enough feeling to bring her inside and be a part of the family. If not then you have no business owning a dog or being loved unconditionally by a dog who isn't getting only the best from you.
2007-01-11 12:29:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
is there anyway for you to bring him in for the night when it gets cold. i bet he might appreciate it, or sometimes dogs that have always been outside will beg to get back out. if you can't bring him in someplace, you can fill the gallon jug, but what if he eats the plastic or it spills, then you have a wet dog on a cold night. make sure the area around his doghouse is blocked from wind, and always check on him several times a night to make sure he's staying warm. sounds like you've done everything but buy one of those heaters, and i'm with you i don't like the idea of something plugged in with their doghouse. if it looks like he's getting cold or acting lethargic or sick you're going to need to find a way to bring him in for the night and day if it's cold then too. good luck..
2007-01-11 12:23:44 · answer #3 · answered by cagney 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have a Treeing Mountain Cur (that's a real breed, not a mongrel) that is an outside dog, and I also live in Northern Alabama. The dog will NOT get cold at all out there. One morning I woke up and saw that the dog's five gallon water bucket had frozen. She picked up the ring of ice in it, and threw it into the fence of her kennel, busting it. She then proceeded to bring the ice into her doghouse and eat it there. And remember, the weather on that day was in the teens. Cold for a human is not cold for a dog.
I understand that your dog is older and frailer than mine, but any decent bedding (I use straw, which works very well) will keep him warm as long as he's dry and the wind can't get to him.
2007-01-11 13:16:29 · answer #4 · answered by Daniel M 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
He is not really supposed to be daring thats why he is "scared" It sounds like he does have respect for his religion, and is worried about what others would think at the same time, but his love/lust for you, he cant help and thus all the hugging etc, which islamically is not good. You need to talk to him about this, and ask, where this is seriously going, because a Muslim man would want for this to move forward towards marriage, he would get you to meet his family properly and have an engagement period of sorts. Then finally convert to Islam :D
2016-03-14 04:38:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about not subjecting your dog to such a thing as sleeping outside at night? Dogs are social animals, they naturally congregate in packs. Isolating them from the rest of their pack, you and your family (if you have one) is cruel.
The least you can do is get it a warmer...
Why do people keep their dogs outside? During the day letting them have free run of your yard, sure why not? But making them sleep outside at night... why?
There are dogs that should be comfortable in below freezing temperatures- - however these are pets, are they not? Why are they not in with their families where they can be happy?
2007-01-11 12:31:43 · answer #6 · answered by Newel 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
OK people, Alabama is not THAT cold...it's a dog and Labs are 'outside' dogs. The outdoor light was a good suggestion, talk to someone at your local hardware store and make sure it has a safety cover on it and you should be good to go. Hay is actually good because the air can circulate and wick moisture (think silk long johns). Other than getting another dog or bringing him inside I can't think of any other safe heating alternatives. (A hot stone might work better than water though as it would take the heat longer to dissipate).
2007-01-11 13:01:24 · answer #7 · answered by GJH 1 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Dogs were born to live outside, stalked by whatever, so don't go judging people on how they treat their animals. She is concerned for it. Maybe it doesn't like to be in the house. But it's not your job to be such a judgemental... I'll stop there, but anyways.
The flood light idea sounds good, I wouldn't want anything like a heating pad plugged in either, just keep the area away from snow.. (the carport will probably do it) and he should be fine.. like I said.. dogs were meant to live outside. If we didn't exist, they wouldn't build a nice cozy house all by themselves. Just make sure everything is dry and warm. The water jug idea might help, but it could spill or get cold.. that'd make the situation worse.
2007-01-11 12:30:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
I don't know what your situation is, but ideally you could bring him inside on cold nights. He's an old dog, so he shouldn't get into mischief.
2007-01-11 12:23:45 · answer #9 · answered by Halley 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Friends don't chain friends outside!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bring your dog inside... he is old and deserves more respect.
Labs are friendly family dogs and it destroys them to be away from the family.
Treat your dog better than this, or you may come back in your next life as a dog in a dog house.
2007-01-11 12:30:33 · answer #10 · answered by akholler 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋