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.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Sorry my computer froze and the above was not finished.  Drat.

I edited the above to be more puppy appropriate.  Puppies need to be taken out. They need to be housebroken, socialized, and trained before you can let them be independent with a doggy door.   This was a long term solution for us, but we live in Southern California in a temperate climate.

Perhaps you might want to re-think a dog at all.  Sometimes our hearts want something that realistically our bodies can't do.  I don't think that I will get another puppy when my dogs pass away because I question whether I will physically be able to manage the training and socializing puppies need.  We recently got my mom another dog and to our (and her) surprise she was not up to the task of housebreaking and training , walking etc.  She had done this all her life, but was not physically able to do this any longer.  We contacted the DRC and they found a wonderful and loving home for this little guy.  We are eternally grateful for  their assistance.

Please let us help you.

[Shannon and Finn]

There are certainly a lot of details missing, but from what you have said you have 2 concerns.  First,housebreaking when you have mobility issues.  For that I would recommend that you keep him leashed to you until he is trained (housebroken and as general supervision).  I would also say that you use a timer set for every 15-20 minutes to take him out.  Say, "Hank, potty outside." Then praise the heck out of him when he does by saying "Good, Hank!  Potty outside!  Good, Hank!" and pet him a lot.  A long leash (6-10 feet) might be helpful in letting him go potty and then shortening it (2-4 feet) when you are in so you can keep him out of trouble.  That way you can avoid emergency trips outside altogether.  I didn't need to pick up Finn or run much since he didn't have many accidents because I took him out on a schedule.  Leaving him outside will not housebreak him and will probably lead to a very long housebreaking process.

Second, in terms of being outside alone, I agree it isn't a good idea or safe for Hank.  Finn is almost 8 months and I can leave him out alone briefly (but not unsupervised) because I can see him from inside and we have a double gated, 6 foot fence that has been dog proofed.  He also just lays on the porch in the sun at the door.  Long periods outside lead to mischief or escape and until he is fully trained and you know him well, I wouldn't do it at all.  You will probably also find that this plan might be working for now, but I can almost guarantee that soon it will back fire and he will start being very naughty, bark constantly and act like a psycho dog because he is insecure and wants attention.  You will have a hard time training him if that happens and will be very frustrated.  I don't see any reason at all for leaving a dog outside at night.  You say he is good in his crate, so keep him in there and inside the house.

Dogs definitely need to bond and be with their owners, especially as babies.  I think tethering (leashing him to you) would be very helpful for a lot of reasons.  There are also training centers that will take dogs to do their basic training and then return them to you.

Probably the biggest question would be what your goals or intentions were in getting a dog and then going from there.  Companion, service, security etc.  Regardless, the dog will only meet your needs if you bond and train together.

Again, tethering him to you will make it less likely you need to move quickly.  Taking him out on a consistent schedule and using the words potty outside and praise will housebreak him.  If you need to shower or can't have him tethered to you, use his crate for brief episodes during the day.  I wouldn't use it too much though or you may find he starts hating it.

Being a first time puppy owner is very challenging.  I think you can get a lot of ideas here since everyone has been through it and can give a variety of training tricks.  You definitely won't get any advice for leaving him outside alone.  But if your ultimate goal is to have an indoor companion, there will be a lot of options for training.  Housebreaking is challenging for sure, but with a plan and consistency it can be done very quickly (2-3 weeks).  Please continue to post and ask for specific advice on overcoming challenges. 

[Sharon & Monty]

My parents always had outside dogs while we were children.  I used to feel so bad for them.  My brother and I would play with them sometimes and then I would feel terrible when we left them tied outside.  My parents were old school and were raised as farmers, dogs didn't have a high place in the scheme of things.  I got my first dog when I was 19 and didn't have too many clues what to do, he did however live indoors.  We used to take him out to a kennel when we left the house.  Now mind you we had an awesome homemade house that was insulated, inside a small kennel with a roof and protected sides.  I thought that we doing well by him. As our dog got older I couldn't face taking him outside, I mean why bother?  He was such a wonderful guy, never did anything bad inside, so we started letting him inside while we were gone. (this is way before crating became popular)  He never did anything wrong, except eat my daughters crayons.  We loved that dog, and he is my heart dog, still to this day I regret the days he was outside on cold or hot days.  Our next dog wasn't even a consideration to put her outside.  Dogs are such fabulous companions, I cant live without them.  I am on my 3rd dog as an adult, and the things that I do to take care of my doodle would have made me roll my eyes at an earlier age.  

I say bring your baby inside as that is what he is, a baby.  You may very well find the companionship of a dog like you have never known.  Give Hank a chance to be your heart dog.  I understand that without a previous experience to have an indoor dog, there is much to learn, but you will never be sorry.  Dogs can and do give so much back.  Let Hank sleep at your feet, cuddle with you on the couch etc.  He will appreciate every time you reach down and rub his belly, scratch his back. 

In the 70's-80's resources for me on how to take care of my dog were few and far between.  But now we have resources such as this website, its not called Doodlekisses for nothing.  Stick around, we are here for you!  Hugs to you and Hank.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

So true, Sharon.

Times have changed since we were kids. People used to smoke in stores, movie theaters and restaurants. Babies used to ride in cars in their mothers' laps. Would it be a justification for doing those things now to say "well, this is what my parents did?"

We know better now. When you know better, you do better.

If you do a Google search for "outside dogs", you find a lot of articles like this one:

http://funstufffordogs.wordpress.com/2008/02/11/outside-dogs-benefi...

What you don't find is anyone who thinks an "outside dog" is a good idea in this day and age, except maybe a working dog on a working farm.

 

[Sharon & Monty]

ha, smoking... I remember my mom being pissed off that she could not smoke at the doctors office while in the waiting room, my gawd what would she do to pass the time!  I had a doctor that SMOKED while we were be admistered to...  ha!  Golly we have come so far! lol

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We used to smoke in hospitals! In the patients rooms! The hospital provided ashtrays!

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

Is our poster MIA? I just thought of another danger to this poor little pup. Hawks, large birds, bees, gosh....my imagination is going wild here. This poor little thing. How big can he be? 5-6 pds? He's a mini? I have no idea how small they are at that age, I think my two were that big when they were born!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Flies and mosquitoes are a concern, too. I've seen "outside" dogs with the tips of their ears chewed off by flies.

I sure hope he's on a good heartworm and flea preventative.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Teri - I believe that you want the best for your puppy - Hank is after all your baby.  He wants and needs your love and attention, companionship, direction.  He thinks of you now as his mom and to leave him outside is not in his best interest.  There are many loving, kind and dedicated dog lovers on this site - I'm asking you for Hank - to please bring him inside your home and your heart and let the experts here help you find a way to make this work.  Living outside is NO LIFE for this puppy.  Please.

[Leslie and Halas]

I agree with the others. Hank needs to be inside with you for bonding and safety reasons. You'll find lots of great advice here on DK to help you deal with the problems that you and Hank are having.

[Brittany, Wilson & Chloe]

Potty training isnt easy but it isnt a reason to keep a dog outside either. He needs to learn how to be a pet and part of the family. I have fostered many dogs and even many doodles that came from living outside and its SO hard for them to learn how to be a pet. They LOVE LOVE LOVE their humans. Puppies are a ton of work and he will be for quite some time. Doodles are crazy but thats why we love them! I hope you can take the time to train him and let him live inside otherwise i would consider rehoming him to a family that can care for his every need. good luck!

[Candice & Bailey]

I've never had a dog/puppy live outside. I just couldn't imagine one of my kids, furry or other, being out there all day without supervision.