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.

[Vivian & Mojo]

Rebecca your really off track to the main issue here...Teri doesn't just leave Hank out while at work, she can't deal with him not being potty trained and can't train him so her puppy is out all day even when she is home. Teri also is considering leaving her puppy out all night. This is upsetting to many of us. No one went to her page and assaulted her, she asked for opinions and got it, did you or her expect us to lie so she wouldn't feel guilty? Where did anyone say those working didn't deserve a dog? Many of us work but make responsible arrangements for our dogs where they will be safe and their emotional needs met. Its true neglected dogs can develop serious issues and wind up in shelters UN-adoptable and at times euthanized. Their are many kinds of dogs, some suitable for outdoor life and some not. When deciding on a dog its important to get one to fit in with your lifestyle and capabilities. I used to have a Siberian Husky, at 8 years old she died from a blockage in her intestines from eating an acorn. She was safe so I thought in her fenced in yard and I never thought she was at risk. I would check on her every few minutes and sat at the window watching, it was cold winter with snow and she loved it outside. After she died I wanted another Siberian but had to be realistic, I'm 66 years old and Husky's need so much running and walking when young, like 3 to four hours a day. I researched and decided on a doodle because I could give a doodle what it needed. I really am so sad for Hank.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Vivian - thanks for sharing.  

[Rebecca, Kandy & Murphy]

I realize what she was describing.  But many responses seemed to go much further than that -- "a doodle should never be left alone" , "a doodle should never be outside without supervision".  Not a puppy, not Teri's puppy -- all doodles.  Or at least that's how I was reading it.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Very well said Susan and I totally agree with you!

[Gail and Bailey]

I agree with you as well, Susan.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I leave Cooper home alone (inside uncrated) for up to 10 hours when i work. she sleeps. when she was younger i had a crate and ex-pen so she had space to play but couldnt get into mischief (see photo).  I would never leave her alone outside. I would be beside myself if something happened to her out there (injury, escape, stolen). Doodles are very people orientated. if you want a dog outside (which i do not agree with anyway) at least get a breed that is more suitable to that lifestyle. Doodles are too sensitive to the heat and cold, and are too people orientated for that outside lifestyle

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

When Teri said that her puppy stays outside all day and comes in at night to sleep in his crate, I found it difficult to reserve judgement.  When she inquired about leaving Hank outside at night, too, I could not help but judge.  I find myself speechless, as no response seems adequate.  The more I think about it, the more I believe that this is a bad joke and is not worthy of all of our attention.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

That is just what I said - you call it a joke - we call it a Troll - someone - not a real situation - that posts to just crank up the heat.  Glad someone else gets it.

[Vivian & Mojo]

From the beginning my boyfriend said troll when I showed him the post, I didn't believe it but now I'm starting to because can anyone be that irresponsible to even think about leaving a little doodle out all night! If this is trolling you did a good job, I'm so upset over the thought of a young puppy even a grown dog spending his life outside.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have been heartsick over this poor puppy for a week now. I only wish this were not a real situation.

To those who think leaving a puppy outdoors is a viable option, please show me one single recognized authority on dogs- just one- who thinks this is okay. An internet article, a blog, a book, a video, anything.

There's a reason why every dog rescue group refuses to adopt a dog to a home where they will be kept outside. Statistically, a dog who is kept outdoors is much more likely to end up homeless than one who lives indoors.

In most things, experience counts. Every opinion is not equal. When one has never done something before, his or her opinion on how to do that thing is not equal to the opinion of someone who has been doing it for 30 years, or who makes a living doing it. This is why people ask questions, hire trainers, pay consultants, etc.  They then usually follow the advice of these people who know more about whatever it is than they do. Otherwise, why ask for the information and help?

Dogs need training. They must be kept confined while they are learning not to chew inappropriate objects, not to go to the bathroom indoors, not to go into the garbage, not to take things off the counters, etc. They do not "figure those things out" for themselves. You are responsible for teaching your dog these things, and for keeping him safe until he learns them. He did not ask to have you for an owner, he cannot make choices for himself, and you were not forced to purchase or adopt him.

So, you crate the puppy or you gate him in a safe area of the house when you cannot supervise him, and you work with him until he does learn. It is not rocket science. I have lived with dogs for 54 years. While I am now retired, I lived with dogs in my home and worked full time, and raised kids, and it was just not this hard. It doesn't take a college degree to housebreak a puppy, and it doesn't take one to teach a dog not to counter surf, chew on electrical wires, etc. Yes, it is easier to just leave the dog outdoors than it is to train him, but then don't say you care as much about your puppy as those of us who are willing to put in the time, the money, and the effort to keep our dogs safely in our homes as real members of our families.

[sandy b]

I can't imagine any responsible dooder breeder allowing one of their puppies to be left outside unattended. Crating a puppy is very natural since dogs are den animals and feel safe in their den.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I guarantee you, this was not a responsible doodle breeder.