Jetpoint GSP Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Have had a search but can't find any other topics about this. As you all know I have GSP's so we're talking big dogs here. Mine are 3 weeks old on Sunday and we've been having some really lovely weather here at the moment so i'm wondering when you all take your babies out for a bit of a play on the grass? We have our own fully fenced yard on a really large property and they would be supervised the whole time. Just wondering when everyone else takes theirs out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakeydoak1 Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Mine were about 3 weeks old (border collies) and it was a gorgeous day, they werent that impressed though. We more happy at 4 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
**Super_Dogs** Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 My litter this year ventured outside when they were 4 weeks. I fenced off an area within the yard for them. Would have been kaos with 8 puppies roaming the whole yard!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 We have small dogs but generally 4 weeks BUT in winter & if the day is good we will do 3 weeks on,even if its just 10 mins & laying still ,they can hear.smell & sense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakway Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Mine go outside permanently about 3 to 4 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkyTansy Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 I had weims - at 3 weeks they just werent ready but by 4 weeks they were happy. It was an autumn litter so getting the right weather was difficult but doable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 mine went out to the puppy yard last weekend, I have been so sick, it just had to be done. They were 4 weeks old. That 1st night was awful, I fretted something shocking, but they were and are fine. Now they come back in to the house, 2 at a time, during the day for socialisation. I am letting them out into the backyard when I take their food out and today I have left them out a couple of times with Fern only while they explore and I come inside. When I'm out with them all the dogs are out. It is so funny watching 3 adult greyhounds trying not to stand on these itty bitty pups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leema Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 (edited) At about 3 weeks mine start going outside in a crate (in a puppy pen) while I clean the whelping box and area. They can choose to leave the crate if they want, or stay in it... Many times they stay in the crate, but eventually (probably about the 4 week mark) they get the courage to leave the crate into a puppy pen, and realise it's not as bad as they thought. ETA: They always come inside at night and when I am not home. At about 7 weeks they begin to be crated individually at night (space permitting), but still inside. Edited July 28, 2011 by Leema Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpoint GSP Posted July 28, 2011 Author Share Posted July 28, 2011 Yes i'm worrying about the permanent move outside but with pups this big it has to happen or we will have chaos inside! Being in Toowoomba we get some very cold nights eg. -2 last night :-( So i'm worried about moving them outside and them getting too cold. We have a big closed in shed, the whelping box will be off the ground, made windproof with cover and they will have hot water bottles and (hopefully fingers crossed) mum in there with them. I'll still be worried but as they're only 3 weeks old we can hold off that for a while Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missymoo Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 My lot went outside in a pen today for a couple of hours, they too had a nice warm crate as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 it's been -2 here the last two nights and the pups are as warm as toast when they come out of the kennel for thier last feed at night. I have the bottom of a plastic igloo type kennel inside a bigger wooden one, lined with blankets, with a gazebo over the top and a bale off straw spread over the grass. 5 weeks old tomorrow and Fern gave them the flick 2 weeks ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakway Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Yes i'm worrying about the permanent move outside but with pups this big it has to happen or we will have chaos inside! Being in Toowoomba we get some very cold nights eg. -2 last night :-( So i'm worried about moving them outside and them getting too cold. We have a big closed in shed, the whelping box will be off the ground, made windproof with cover and they will have hot water bottles and (hopefully fingers crossed) mum in there with them. I'll still be worried but as they're only 3 weeks old we can hold off that for a while Try a heat lamp suspended over one end of the whelping box. The pups can them move in and out of the heat as they require it. Hot water bottles can be chewed and leave a cold wet mess for the pups to live in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Hot water bottles are dangerous to keep pups warm, you need a space which is enclosed - even like a big crate/carton which held a fridge or stove! That way it is draft proof- and will retain body warmth as it radiates upwards A shed is way too big- without another kennel/box inside. Fridge cartons are great and easily replaced! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpoint GSP Posted July 28, 2011 Author Share Posted July 28, 2011 They already have an enclosure over their whelping box inside so it will be the same in the shed. As for heat lamps - also dangerous, especially with big dogs who think cords are toys!! Our hot water bottles go under the bedding which is secured so they cant get at them. Rebanne I'm Glad to hear yours are doing ok outside in the cold. Mine is a similar setup but inside the shed so fingers crossed it will work!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakway Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 I would NEVER advocate the use of anything dangerous where dogs are concerned. All heating cords are placed in a position they could never cause a danger to the dogs using them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becks Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 If you are worried about the cold night, bring the pups in at night and have them out in the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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