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.

[Cory Reali]

Reading this, I think it's a difficult situation. Personally, my breeder had us sign a contract saying we would not leave our dog outside for long periods of time. If we aren't home, she is to either be in the house, or in her crate. And that isn't just for her safety but for her health. Yes having them have running and free time is great, and they all need it, but too much can also be a bad thing. 

[Vivian & Mojo]

I never let my puppy outside unsupervised, puppies/dogs can get into trouble in so many ways even with a fence. Before I got my doodle I had a Siberian Husky, she loved being outside when the weather was cool and one day she swallowed an acorn whole, the next day she was in surgery and died a few hours later it was lodged in her intestines. Puppies need to be watched. Perhaps a cat would be better for you. I don't mean to be harsh or judge you but why have a dog if its outside all day and sleeps in a crate? As for sleeping outside that's really sad and shocking to me that you would even consider that. My breeder also had me sign that my puppy would be an indoor dog. Doodles are not bred to be outdoor dogs.

[Sheila & Finnley]

Teri ~ Do the humane thing and give the puppy back to the breeder. No puppy.... no, make that no dog, deserves to live a lonely life outside alone. Finnley my Doodle is 16 weeks and spends all of her time by my side. She travels everywhere with me. Maybe a more independent pet like a cat would work for you.

Good luck !

[Vivian & Mojo]

To add to my comment above I didn't mean sleeping in a crate was wrong, its just that to be either outside or in the crate seems harsh. Also Hank will not ever be potty trained by leaving him outside and its easier to start as a puppy before he learns its fine to just relieve himself anytime.

[Brittany, Wilson & Chloe]

i personally foster doodles and you should just keep in mind that if something ever happens that you cant keep Hank it will be very difficult to re home him knowing that he probably wont be potty trained since he is outside all the time and people rarely want to adopt "outside" dogs

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I'm really tired of the whole "pussy footing around" here.  Plan and simple this is WRONG and I hope to God someone reports you to your counties animal proctection agency.  I'm so happy for you that you got a puppy to make yourself feel the warm and fuzzy of animal ownership but impairment or not this poor dog got the short end of the straw when he got you.  You say you want to make things as "happy for him (and me) as possible."  What a freakin joke.  This is NOT what is best for this puppy and you know it.  I say you are a TROLL and just trying to get us worked up.  If I am wrong then I will keep poor Hank in my prayers because this is abuse.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

God bless you, Jane.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Karen - I'd like to think that after a few years here on DK - I've gotten a little Karen, F & Joanne in me now!!!!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I hope Animal Protection come into Hank's life.  Looks like I'm gunna have to make a phone call.

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

Please, please, please, can we put this one to bed and move on? We obviously are not going to change her mind, she is convinced she is doing the best for her doodle, and if all we have said so far hasn't even made her rethink her arrangement, then nothing will.
We can pray for her poor little doodle, that she gains some insight through someone she will listen to. Maybe the trainer she says she will be getting will guide her.
The only reason I followed was to see if she had made other arrangements which is obvious now that isn't happening. So, speaking for myself , I'm done.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Halleluiah!!!

[Brittany, Wilson & Chloe]

I really hope you change your mind Teri. You should expect this kind of reaction from all of us. OUR DOODLES ARE OUR KIDS! My doodles sleep on my bed under the covers! Of course he likes being outside he is a puppy! He likes everything! Its your responsibility as a dog owner to show him how to live and guide him and most importantly keep him safe! He is just a baby how can you not have compassion for the sweet boy? Please just get a cat and find loving people to take Hank. I am so frustrated with you because having 2 doodles and having many friends with doodles, i know how much this breed just wants to be around their people. They are not an outside dog at all especially a mini. I fostered a mini doodle and he was so small and his bone structure is so different from a standard doodle. He is more fragile. I feel so bad for hank i wish he had a loving family to take care of him. He isnt a wild animal. A lot of doodles have allergies to bug bites so you need to understand that one spider bite can make his whole face swell up. So what if you are gone all day and he has a reaction? Allergies in general like ragweed and pollin are also an issue if you are leaving him outside. Also parvo is picked up most by puppies so what if there has been a dog on that grass with parvo and you are letting your puppy run around and eat the grass all day? What about heartworm? Lymes? all of these are more common the more you leave your puppy outside. Potty training is not that hard and you are not cut out to be a dog owner.