Dog gazebo

[Suzy Rowe]

I bought a dog gazebo. Since we live in Southern California, we get pretty warm weather thru November.

We will be gone almost all day this Sunday. Does anyone see a problem with leaving Ruffie in the gazebo with a bed, food and water out on the grass, rather than in a crate? It has a 5 foot diameter, so there is room to move around in it. There is a cover on it for shade. Temperature on Sunday should be about 72.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Is the gazebo completely enclosed so that he can't get out?

One concern for me would be someone stealing him.  

[Suzy Rowe]

Yes it is a Advantek gazebo ... completely enclosed, and I think sturdy enough.

[Suzy Rowe]

Our backyard is completely enclosed, with no alleys behind.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My yard is completely enclosed with no alleys, too, but there is nothing preventing anyone from lifting the latch on the gate and walking right in. 

Personally, I would be too nervous being away from home all day with my dog outdoors, but that's just me. I'd feel more comfortable knowing he was securely inside the locked house. Especially a young puppy.

If the concern is leaving him in the crate all day, is there a trusted friend or neighbor who could visit him on Sunday to let him out and play with him for awhile?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree. My dogs are safer in the house I think. And I think it looks like it could get rather hot with the sun shining on the gazebo.

[Suzy Rowe]

Also gate to yard is kept locked.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Wouldn't be my choice, but....make sure if you do, the water bowl can not be tipped, leaving the pup without water for the day.
Puppies have a tendency to get into lots of trouble when left alone .....

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Also...just looking at the pic....a young pup can get out going underneath. You may want to take off the wheels, leaving the pen flush to the ground.
Another thought...didn't look where you are in So. Ca....we are on San Diego and have a huge population of coyotes. Enzo is never allowed out ion the property by her self. Coyotes scale our 6 ft fence all of the time. That pen would not keep him safe from predators.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I thought it had wheels, too, but on second glance,  I think it's just legs. Still, I did think about a puppy getting out underneath it. I too would prefer that it be flush with the ground. 

It's hard to judge how difficult it would be to tip or push it over. 

Coyotes, snakes, bugs, bees, rodent-y animals (attracted by the food), all of that crosses my mind. Along with pooping and peeing and then lying in it or walking in it, tipping over the water bowl...I'm really good at finding things to worry about, lol. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

K:  I think many years of living and loving dogs, have geared our brains to protecting them with every bit of strength we have.

[F, Calla & Luca]

There are Lixit bottles you can attach to crates and probably this gazebo as well that keep water accessible.

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

How heavy is it? Either of my two would be able to tip over something like that by just jumping onto the sides, especially if one of my dogs Seperation anxiety moments as a pup occured.

 Yes, this wouldn't work for me, even in your wonderful Cali weather.  Soooo many things about him being outside would worry me.  Him crying and barking all day, neighbors calling police, someone coming into yard to quiet him, or worse. Water, food, critters, poop, time of day there would be no shade at all, oh the list goes on and on.  Outside is never an option for me but Im always thinking they would bark and bother others or unless I pad lock two big RV gates, anyone can climb over even our 8 ft block walls if they really wanted to.  Is there anyone who can come check on him in a crate inside every 4 hours or so? If it's just for one day? Good luck. I see this as a nice little backyard retreat for him, while you are home and want him to get outside of a little bit unattended.