Is it safe to leave a dog out at night?

Question

We have a four month old lab pup that I have been crate training.(very successfully) My hubby says he is now too big to stay in the house. He's very mishevious.(the dog not my hubby) We have a deck that is gated, I put his crate on the deck so he would have somthing familiar with him. We close the gates at night so he can't get out and nothing can get in. During the day I leave the gates open so he can run and play. He hasn't cried at all or whined, but I want him inside. I've been letting him come inside while my hubby is at work.

Is this ok? will it confuse him? Should I pick one or the other?

What is your opinion?

Answer 1

Before I answer your question, I just want to say something to some of these posters.

I dont understand why some of you have problems with keeping a dog outside! It does not make you a bad owner, or make it seem that the dog is not a part of your family. I have had three generations of dogs, and I have kept all of them outside. Why? Because they enjoy being outside. Dogs are very mischievous animals that love to play and run. Keeping them indoors prevents a dog from being a dog.

Now, to answer this question. I believe as long as the dog has a proper shelter and it isnt too cold, then it is perfectly ok to keep your dog outside. As long as you give your dog enough care and love, keeping him outside is not a bad thing.

Answer 2

I don't understand the to big for the house thing I live in a very small house and I keep my Lab in the house at night and most of the day. I think its time you and the hubby had a talk or an argument. I think that he was raised with that mentality and thats why he thinks this way. My hubby was the same way but I won that one. My dog would shrivel up and die out there by himself he is a big baby. You should ask for a compromise. Your dog deserves it. If your dog is just stuck outside all the time how will you teach him any manners.Maybe you could take the dog for obedience training and once your husband sees how well behaved and smart the dog is he will be more keen to allow him to stay inside. ( your dog is a Lab hence very trainable and smart) teach him as much as you can and show your husband how smart he is.

Answer 3

You're putting your dog at great risk by leaving him outdoors unsupervised. First, he could be hurt or stolen by dog fighters, bunchers, or otherwise cruel people. Second, he could get bitten or attacked by other animals. Third, if he ever finds a way off of the deck, he could run away and get hit by a car. Fourth, depending on where you live, there may be extreme weather conditions that could hurt him.

Dogs are inherently social animals. They've been intentionally bred that over the course of thousands of generations. The notion of the "outdoor dog" is antequated and frankly inhumane.

Dogs certainly enjoy time outdoors and you should spend outdoor time with your dog playing and going for walks. However, your dog would much rather be indoors with you than outdoors alone.

Answer 4

First and foremost, animals can pick up on tension very easily. You and your husband need to compromise on when and if the dog can come inside or not otherwise it can cause tension and eventually resentment towards the dog and even you too. Your husband will eventually figure out that the dog comes inside one way or another. And yes it's completely fine to leave a dog out at night. Just make sure he has everything he needs: proper shelter for all kinds of weather, safe toys and food and water.

Answer 5

I think you're doing a good job with this arrangement. I'm a true Dog lover and my Dogs go where I go, I find that our Dogs whom are with the masters as often as possible, make the very best companions. They need the closeness with they're people, it makes them so much more secure.
It wont hurt him to be outside as long as he has all the provisions for his care, shelter, food, water, security so he can't get out. But I must add that I'm with you, have them inside more than alone.

Answer 6

I have three dogs and they are outside dogs. They do not come into the house unless I have to doctor one. My youngest is a German Sheppard and she has been out side from the time they were born. I got her at 8 weeks and she stayed out all winter.

I have two that are 10 yr.s old and they were out all winter, too. I feel that big dogs are great but too large for my small home. They have plenty of shelter other than dog houses and do fine out there.

I have never owned a small dog that would require to be inside. I loved to groom them but I would never own one.

Answer 7

It's not safe to leave a dog out at night.. Dogs / cats both belong in the house and living as family.

Our pet contract says that the dog must be part of your family, living IN the home, no in a run, not on a chain.
Did you sign a contract w/ the breeder saying that the dog must be part of your family??

Answer 8

it's okay to let him in during the day as long as u dont like spoil him yes it is ok to leave him outside at night dogs love to be out doors as long as he has proper shelter if it rain and snows. if he can play and have room to run he'll be happy any where. he's fine outside and he's fine in the house and no it shouldnt confuse him as long as u stay with letting him in when ur hubby is gone and u do it every day and its the same he'll think of it as a treat but if u suddenly cant let him in the house while ur hubby is gone u have to slowly get him used to staying outside all day. leaving him out all day is fine but if u suddnly just stop letting him in the house he may think he has dont something wrong. i'd keep brining him in the house while the hubby is gone and keep him outside at night just dont suddnly stop brining him indoors if u have to stop do it slowly like cut the time in half for a while and then down to a half hour or so and then leave him out. good luck

Answer 9

He will do fine outside but the bigger he gets the less fine your porch will be. You need to make sure he has plenty to keep his attention and he can chew on. Labs are aggressive chewers..They will eat your house down. It want hurt to let him in as long as your trying to house brake him.Dogs especially the pups love to be with there humans...
Congratulations on your choice....I own 3 labs.....Have had since pups and they all live in my house.

Answer 10

It is okay for dogs to live both inside and outside, they like and should experience both. My fear would be that he would end up ALWAYS outside (as it sounds like your hubby is leaning). Dogs are decendents of wolves who roamed in packs, therefore a dog is a pack animal and when you have one who is your pet, you are there pack and they want to be with you. Dogs who live outside at all times tend to get ignored and live very lonely lives. They are not lawn orniments, they are family.