Should I leave my dog in her crate in 19 degree weather overnight?

Question

Shes in the porch but it basically gets just as cold in there... i put a little heater near her crate but it wont do much... will the cold hurt her or make her sick??

Answer 1

Dogs can feel cold temperatures just like humans do. They may have a 5-10 degree advantage over us, but if it gets below freezing then it is miserable to be a dog or a human.
Your heater will help of course, but cold is still cold. Would you want to sit out in that weather?

One method of training a dog involves crating them. This is crucial when you are trying to house break a dog and have to leave each day for work, where you could be gone most of the day. This is perfectly acceptable behavior for both the human and the dog. As long as the dog isn’t laying in his own waste, and has room to lay down in his cage.

So I have no problem with you crating your dog or putting a heater nearby. However, if the cold is going to be that bad then I suggest you lay a drop cloth on the floor in a remote room, and bring the crated dog inside the house. If your dog is alone in a quiet room, inside of his crate, and he is not suffering then he should be fine, at least for the night. I would do this and make sure there is enough room to put a small food bowl and a small water bowl into his crate. Just to give him something to make it through the night.

I think your dog is normally an outside dog, which is either too big or not well behaved in the house; otherwise you wouldn’t have this problem. Your dog should have some outside quarters where he can escape the weather. I would put a good used blanket on the floor with your heater mounted in the corner, high in the dog house where nothing that might catch fire can get near him. Then I would put a burlap or other cheap fabric curtain over the door and teach him how to go through it. A dog’s vision isn’t as good as ours so he might think the curtain is a wall. Once you have done this then it should be safe to leave him outside in all but the coldest conditions. With the curtain to block the wind, even a thin one would help, the blanket to curl up in, and the heater he should be just fine. It will also let him go outside during the night if he needs to use the bathroom, and he wouldn’t bring any chaos inside of the house.

It sounds like you have the right idea and are a very good dog owner. As long as you put your dog in a condition where you could survive then he should be all right. One other hint; when the weather get below freezing make sure to give him fresh water to drink not ice. If it is going to be below freezing that day then you might want to put his food and water dish inside his shelter. There are a lot of animal abuse cases filed because people don’t have a shelter for their outside dog and don’t take simple steps like the ones I mentioned to care for their dog (a creature that looks to you for ALL of his needs).

Answer 2

I see many dogs outdoors all wonter, That doesnt make it right. I have 2 boxers. I have a pet door and they come in and out as they chose. They will go out for 1/2 hour to and hour then they are back in curled up sleeping away.

I do not think its right to leave a dog outside if they cant get in the house. Today its an actual of 6 degrees but with windchills its below zero. I would not leave my dogs out for more then a few mins to go potty if i was putting them out. Never over night in this weather.

How would you like to sleep in a cold crate?

Answer 3

Just bring the crate inside and put it in the kitchen or something. Or better yet, let the dog roam in the kitchen. That way if she makes a mess you can easily clean it up off the floor.
It seems to me that a lot of people think it to be cruel to let your dog outside in the winter. I agree, however there are a lot of outside dogs that do just fine. But they most likely got used to it over time. So please just bring the dog in the house if you're worried.

Answer 4

If she is in a crate why can't you leave her inside the house? 19 degrees is too cold for any creature. Poor little dog!!!!

Answer 5

What the hell do you think? Why don't you go sit in the crate on the porch w/the little heater, in nothing but say, some flannel jammies, In 1/2 an hour (if you last that long) come back to Yahoo answers and you tell us. Why do people like you get pets in the first place? Please find that abused animal another home and just stick to stuffed animals.

Answer 6

HELL NO!!! She needs to stay just as warm as you do in 19 degree weather, so you should either bring her in or give her a bunch of blankets or something else for insulation to keep warm. The heater isn't a bad thought, but you are right, It is basically useless. Her body will produce much more heat than your heater. Thats why blankets are the best bet. Oh, by the way, If she gets cold enough, especially if too old or young she could DIE! If you are going to leave her out in the cold it wouldn't hurt to find her a companion to share body heat.

Answer 7

If she is used to being outside at night she should be fine. Just make sure she has a clean dry blanket to sleep on and is away from drafts. If the crate is wire, a sheet of cardboard on 3 sides would ensure she is fine, if the heater is on

Answer 8

NO....that is too cold for her...at least bring the crate inside the house..you can still leave her in it but she will be better off

Answer 9

Bring her & the crate in the house! If she doesn't behave inside it's ok- She's in a crate!
It's too cold.

Answer 10

would you sleep in your car in your underwear?? that's practically the same thing! i put my dog in the crate when its cold out but i bring him inthe house!!! the least you can do is let him be as comfortable as you! i also spoil him to let him sleep next to me and he has done so much better in the bed than the crate!!!! now he doesn't get outta bed till like 3pm!