Puppy And Cold Canberra Days

[Kavik]

Mine don't get bedding in their kennels anymore as they just destroy it! I agree with putting the kennel close to the back door - they are more likely to use it that way. I have 3 kennels and two trampoline beds under cover. The trampoline beds get the most use followed by the bigger 2 kennels.

[perryamstaffs]

also place the kennel facing the door it took me two months to relise they just wanted to see when i was home i thought they hated the kennel but they just couldn't see

the best coats i have found lately at resonable price is carribu (for medium dog $25 plus postage $12 in shop for same quality $89-$120) they actually make horse rugs which i used to get but have finally ventured into dog coats made the same way with pleats for front legs for ease of movement, geeze i should get free one for all the advertising but i has taken me a long time to be happy for resonable cost, mine even train in them when it is raining and cold and cause they are amstaffs need to be strong as well here is the link

http://www.caribuhorsewear.com.au/dog-coats-c-258.html

have just had another look and they are selling fast for this season

[koalathebear]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. We have an Aldi kennel that's Elbie-sized. Today we went and bought some straw from PetBarn which we scattered inside the kennel. We also put a little dog bed on stilts in there - looks like a mini-trampoline. We got Elbie used to it inside first and after a few minutes he loved it and was lying on it as if he'd always had it. We've put it out in the kennel now and spent some time treating and praising him. He's gone in a few times - he still hangs out near the back door when he's outside but I suspect if it gets cold enough he will go into the kennel which is a lot warmer. He did try to eat the straw but after deciding it doesn't taste very good, he seems to just like scattering it

[koalathebear]

Elbie's kennel is right outside the back door (kitchen door):

Inside his kennel is straw and a nice, comfy trampoline bed. Canberra has been incredibly cold and freezing lately but we've been getting him used to being outside for extended periods of time during the day. Does he use the kennel? Sometimes ... sometimes he just curls up on the back step in FRONT of the kennel.

Even though it's cold and windy, this week, while he gets into his kennel now and then, sometimes he just drags the doormat to the middle of the courtyard and lies on THAT.

Is this a shameful grab at sympathy????

[persephone]

I have found trampoline beds are not the warmest things-- as air circulates all round a good thick insulating layer of something on teh bottom , and something into which a dog can snuggle is very warm Our working dogs sleep outdoors, usually in teh dreaded 44 gallon drums .. BUT they are SO warm in there, with lots of raw wool and op shop blankets/old clothing ... Some dig holes in the sand and sleep under the stars .... their choice!

[Genabee]

Priceless!

[SalTheGal]

The OP shop will become your new best freind!!!

With our last dog who lived outside we made a trip there every month or two to invest in new blankets/doonas/quilts... and replaced the old quite often- you can get it so cheap there!

I dunno....I am fairly convinced that a dogs instinct will not allow them to freeze... our puppy has decided she prefers to sleep outside- and it gets pretty cold here atm, she is in a really snug den that my husband made and he lined with wool carpet (all sides cept roof), it is on our deck and facing into the house- our deck is sheltered on 3sides, I have added a wool blanket, a sheepskin, a polar fleece blanket, and I heat up a wheat pack before she goes to bed so that it starts out warm- then her body heat keeps it warm... she comes inside in the mornings still feeling toasty!