Does Anybody's Doodle Stay Outside?

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

My mini doodle, Hank, is 12 weeks.  He stays outside in the courtyard during the day and only comes in at night to sleep in his crate.  He likes being outside where he can run and play which seems normal to me.  I was raised with outside dogs.  Hank is my first puppy on my own.  At first, I thought I would try to keep him inside, but the potty training got to be too much for me since I have a mobility impairment, and my reaction time is slower than normal.  He has never had an accident in his crate, doesn't cry at night, or need a potty break in the middle of the night.  Please don't think I'm a horrible person.  I love Hank as much as an inside dog owner.  Just wonder if anyone else has an all or primarily outside doodle?  Does anyone's doodle sleep outside?  If so, how does that work out for you?  Basically, I think I have one good puppy!  Just want to make things as happy for him (and me) as possible.  Thanks for any feedback or insight you have to share.  Hope I don't end up feeling guilty about considering having him sleep outside.  I really do love my puppy.  Honest.  I do.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Nope.  I don't even let my dog outside alone even at 3.5 years. When he goes out, I go out.  If I need to stay inside, then he is at my feet. If I go for a ride, he goes too. It is the reason I got a dog. He is my companion.

I don't like the idea of this at all. Especially as a young pup, alone, outside, by themselves.  Might as well consider the dog a squirrel. 

Maybe we can help you here with making this dog your companion too.

Is it just the potty issue that you leave him outside? 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with Joanne. My dog is never even outdoors alone in the fenced yard for a potty break. I have never heard of an "outside dog" except for working farm dogs, and I have to say the idea of keeping any dog, let alone a doodle puppy, alone outside all the time is appalling to me. I do not know of anyone, here on DK or in my personal life, who keeps a doodle outdoors.

At first, I honestly thought this post was a joke. I don't think you are a "horrible person", but I sure wouldn't want to be your dog. He must feel very lonely. These are pack animals, companion animals that live to be with their people. Most of us can barely go into another room without having our dogs follow us; they desperately want to be near us. I cannot imagine taking a puppy from his mother and littermates and isolating him outdoors. As far as "running and playing", I have never yet seen a dog "play" all by himself outdoors all day. Dig holes and get into trouble, yes. I have to ask why you got a dog in the first place if you don't want to have him living in your home with you? What kind of relationship and interaction can you have with an outside dog? What kind of bond can develop? Those things are whole point for most of us in having any dog and especially a cuddly, affectionate doodle.

Does your breeder know that you are keeping him outside?

I would strongly ask you to try to figure out a way to keep your puppy indoors with you, or consider returning him to the breeder or rehoming him. You are creating a dog who will not know how to live in a home with people like 99.9% of all doodles do, will not be trained, will not be housebroken. It is not fair to him to keep him isolated outdoors when he could be living in a home and getting training, affection, attention, and companionship.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Another huge concern, this pup has  not finished its vaccinations.  Is your yard fenced?  Rabies, heartworm, parvo.... on and on.   What about cold winters that are fast approaching? 

I'm trying to be nice here, so can you answer ONE question; WHY DID YOU GET A DOG?   Then we can go from there.

Bring me the dog. I'll train it to be indoors for you.  Seriously. I have the time and love.

[F, Calla & Luca]

It sounds to me from what you have said that you are wondering about your choices and possibly feeling a bit guilty. We are here to help you with making changes that will be better for you and your puppy if you would like to do so.

My dogs do go out alone now at 3 and 4 years. But they don't stay out alone unless you count lying on the porch or driveway for short periods of time. They were never out alone as puppies. I let them out in my completely fenced yard and keep an ear and eye out for them. When I take a shower the dogs come in. When I am not home my dogs are crated and they seem fine with this. I wouldn't dream of letting them sleep outside and they wouldn't let me do it. Luca is usually on the bed and Calla comes and goes. I agree with the others. A young puppy should never be out alone. There are all sorts of trouble it could get into. We have seen it all on DK. Puppies swallowing stones, squeezing through a fence and escaping, you name it. And I too wonder why you would want a dog when you are now considering even having it sleep outside.

[Christy and Yoda]

I personally think leaving a dog alone outside for long periods of time is inhumane.  I know that I would not want to be outside by myself all day(and night as you are suggesting) to lay on the hard ground, with varying temperatures and weather conditions, and with bugs and other animals bothering me.  I know that my doodle would HATE being outside like that.  I may be humanizing him here, but I'd rather have him totally spoiled than experience ANY discomfort.  I would call animal control to report if I saw an animal that was left outside 24/7 by it's owners.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

You mention that you just want to make things as happy for him as possible.....that certainly isn't leaving him outside all day and possibly even at night.  This is a little mini Doodle puppy who belongs inside bonding with his humans and learning how to behave.  If you really do love Hank, please rethink this. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

From reading a comment you left in the puppy madness group, it appears the potty training is the issue.  But potty training is going to be just one small hurdle in this pups life.  Many more are to come as the dog grows and develops.   Serious training takes place in the first few years.

You may need to return this puppy.  If you are not able to pick the pup up, as you mentioned you have a disability that you can not even pick up a tiny baby mini doodle, this is not going to work.  Please return the pup to the breeder. Possibly, the breeder can train the pup for you-for a price, you can call a trainer to come into your home--but this really needs to be a 24/7 situation for several months. 

Possibly, you qualify for an assistance dog.   An already trained dog, who can live and assist you.

I'm urging you to find some help. This is not a good situation.   Doodles really are not outside dogs. Not at all.

Please seek me out as I would be glad to offer you some alternative suggestions for who to contact in your state for assistance dogs.  This pup is off to a bad start. 

I realize, you now realize, this is going to be too much. Please, do the right thing right away for both you and this baby puppy

If the breeder will not take this pup back, you can find additional help with the Doodle Rescue.  Please contact them.

http://doodlerescue.org/

Again, I am very sorry this has happened to you.

My foot is broken right now and I am finding it very hard to just do simple things. I can't imagine your situation and what you must be going through. But, this puppy needs some help right now too

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Amen, Joanne. I too would be happy to help find a suitable home for this baby in the event that the breeder will not take him back. I am sure the DRC has tons of approved applicants waiting to take him into their hearts and their homes.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Teri, I have two thoughts when I see this...that might help you decide if this is what's best for the both of you. One is the weather. I love TN but it can be very hot and very cold there. What have the weather conditions been these past few weeks? Would you want to be out in the climate?
Secondly....it has been expressed over and over here on DK that we all know that the treat of our dogs being stolen when left anywhere unattended is a real possibility. People know they cost big $$$$s. and can be stolen for different reasons such as, they want a free dog for themselves, or really evil reasons like using them for bait dogs for dog fights. And we know TN has dog fighting populations as much as anywhere else.

So I would ask you to reconsider his living arrangements, as outside dogs are just not the norm and certainly not a doodle, and there are cities who do have ordinances against it even.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Another concern. If you cannot pick him up, how is he going to be brushed, bathed and groomed? Doodles are high-maintenance in terms of their coats. They need weekly ear cleaning, brushing several times a week if not daily, bathing and haircuts every 6-8 weeks at least. I can show you some photos of rescued doodles whose grooming was neglected and it is not a pretty sight.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

In my opinion, no dog should be kept outside EVER. Hank is far too young to be outside on his own. There is so much he can get into that could harm him and he needs to be where you are. Puppies are a lot of work and potty training is only the beginning. I want to be nice. I really do, but I think this arrangement is making it easier for you only and not Hank. Hank has to be afraid and lonely. There is no shame in admitting a puppy was more than you can handle at this time in your life and contacting the breeder for help. A reputable breeder will take the puppy back and find it a home where it can live inside with his family, where it belongs.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I have a doggy door which with a bit of training solves any potty problem.  Please - even if you have to pay to have one installed, do this instead of shutting him outside all day.  Many dogs do love to be outside, but it is not really good to have them outside all the time. A doggy door would allow you to interact with him a lot, he could be outside or inside as he chose.  Doodles are dogs that NEED human companionship and really are not happy as outside dogs. 

I don't mean to be rude or offensive, but I can't figure out why anyone has a dog if they are outside all of the time.  I have neighbors that do this also and I just don't get it. Frankly, if I didn't want my dogs near me - and I don't mean on my lap - most of the time, I would not bother having them.  It is a pain to feed, groom, walk, vet them, and find someone to watch them when I go out of town, so if I didn't want their loving companionship, I wouldn't want to bother with having a dog and I would get a cat.  I love cats and their independent natures and they are much easier to care for.