Should I force my dog to come inside during cold weather?

Question

My dog is a Chow-mix that I've had for over 7 years. He's a gentle, furry, outside dog, and he's really great! My problem is, he never wants to come inside when it's cold out! True, he has a VERY VERY THICK coating of fur, and is NEVER cold, but when it gets to freezing tempuratures outside, I almost feel as if it's my duty to bring him inside! ...But, whenever I try to bring him in, he resists, and when I finally DO get him inside, all he does is sit beside the door and stare at me, occasinally whining, until I let him out.

So, should I leave him outside since he seems to be most comfortable there, even though I'm afriad he may get too cold, or should I bring him inside against his will and listen to his whining?

...And, YES, i DO force him to come inside when it's storming out... I'm not talking about that. I'm just talking about when it's really cold.

PLEASE ANSWER! =]

Answer 1

If he wants to stay out then make sure that he has a good insulated dog house for shelter and check on him. Most advise to bring the dog in, but if it seems like he's never cold you may have the opposite problem, it may be too hot inside for him. Chows, huskies and malamutes were bred to survive in sub-zero temps (like in Alaska). You sound like a very caring owner so if you check on him periodically and make sure he has a good supply of water which you can keep thawed with any number of devices for that purpose, he should be OK.

Answer 2

I can relate to this question, where do we draw the line on this. I have a Huskies and my daughter has an Akita, both love the cold weather, when I had my house with the fenced yard,they would spend every moment outside. Yes when it rain I'd have to drag them in the house also. I'd let them in and they would eat and want to go back out again. I've had Huskies for 30 yrs. They love the cold. When it does get cold out I'd never sleep because I'd worry about the dogs outside. Bottom line, we are not bad dog owners, they the dogs know what they want, but we dog owners call the shoots here, as hard as this is going to be on you and for your own peace of mind, bring the pup in if need be get a floor fan on turn this on for the dog, it works, gee and I wounder why my electric bill is so high, as long as my dogs are happy, so am I. Guess what is worse, I've just moved to an apartment and now I have to walk the dogs, and they have no where to run and play, so we go to the tennis courts lock the doors and I let them run. I'm going thru a divorce so that's why the change in living space, soon to move to a house with a fenced in yard !!!!! PS my husky name is Zoe also.

Answer 3

What ever you do do not have a dog. To start with you are gone for 12 hours ,a day this dog will be bored and will get distructive. Dogs are meant to be with human contact and hate to be left alone for hours. Secondly your talking about 40 degree heat. The only way an animal is to be left in that heat is shelter which is trees that he can lie under, he is not to be tied up as the sun moves all day in different spots, you dog will need plenty of water ,like a bucket full every day .( Fresh water) It doesnt sound like it ever gets cold where you are ,you could make sure the door is always open to the shed, make sure it cant be blown shut, put a brick against the door. IF I WAS YOU ........NO DOG!.

Answer 4

I had a dog that was chow/great dane mix. Sometimes when it snowed he would lay out in it and pant like he was hot. I never made him come in the winter. The only time he usually came in was for storms. We also have a barn full of hay next to our house but he rarely used it. I would just use your instincts on it. If he seems comfy let him out. They have so much fur he would be too hot in the house.

Answer 5

As long as he has shelter- a dog house or carport or something covered, you can leave him out, unless you live in the far north. I have Golden Retrievers and they love the cold weather. In Alaska, sled dogs stay out almost all the time.

Answer 6

I would say when it's freezing outside you at the very least have to keep him in at night. I would get him an igloo for outside, put a warm dog bed in it as well. This is not for at night, but at least if he is cold he may go inside the igloo if he does get cold.

Our sharpei midnight is like this in the summer, she wants to be outside (we live in Arizona) but it's too hot in the summer to be out for long even in the shade and with her puppy pool. We got her a doggy door, this way she can still go out to 'protect' the house when she wants but can come in when she wants too.

She does have a doggy igloo as well. She comes in often but really enjoys being able to go out as much as she wants, anytime she hears a noise, she wants to check it out. Unike our shih tzu and apbt who spend most of their time indoors.

I think you might consider rewarding him for coming in. Treats might help. It's not easy to put up with the whining, but when it's freezing outside it's your obligation to keep him in.

Kind of like kids sometimes dogs don't know what is best for them, and just like children we have to keep them from harm. I have a feeling your dog thinks it needs to guard the house, it thinks that is his job. I would install a doggy door so he can go out and protect your home, but come in from the cold when he needs to. He can then feel free to go and respond to any noise he may hear, then come back in when he is chilly.

Answer 7

Get some people to help you get your dog inside! You don't want your dog getting frost bite now do you?! Bring him inside!

Answer 8

well... if he wont come in then jus give him sum blankets and like rugs carpets outside. and if u rly want him 2 go in, like its rly rly rly cold, then like get sum treats or his fav toy and bribe him in.