Puppy Outside

[KOE]

Sounds like he wants to be the leader of the pack you will want to put a stop to that if he is going to be a big dog, I would suggest obedience.

[Kavik]

When I rented, the arrangement was also that the dogs be outside. But I had crates for the dogs, and put the crates in the kitchen in the first house and the sunroom in the second house. The dogs slept in the crates at night. That way, they were inside and not barking outside but also not making a mess inside. The owners of the properties saw the crates and the dogs in the crates (often easier, as that way they weren't being enthusiastically greeted by a Kelpie cross and GSD ) and there was never a problem. So I say crate training is the way to go

[cavNrott]

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Edited May 29, 2009 by cavNrott

[Andoria1]

He is an Australian Cattle Dog x Labrador Retreiver

[arby]

i have a lab X, when we first got him he was inside, he was a rescue, at around 8 months of age or just a bit older when he got too big for being inside we put him outside. We had a big cage thingy out the back (came with our rented property) it was around 1.5m X 3m. We made him a kennel and put it in there. At night we locked him up in there so he wouldnt get out etc. It was like one massive crate!!! over time he got used to it and it was his little safe spot. It got to the stage that he would run to it and fall asleep inside before we even came out to lock him up!!!

[Working_Setters]

I agree with those that have recommended dog training school - it will help both you and your dog understand each other better, you'll meet lots of other people having the same problems and very experienced dog trainers that will show you how to solve them.

Crating is great and I recommend it highly. Dogs are safe, secure and you have total control over what they chew etc. I've crated multiple dogs for past 10 years, it really works.

You have to get the dog up off the concrete and the sling beds that have been recommended are the best/cheapest way of doing so. Failing that use a raised timber platform, they can be made very cheaply (building sites will often discard everything you need) and are truly indestructible. It's not as comfortable as the sling bed, but its way better than the concrete. One way to build the raised platform is to start with a forklift pellet, and fill the gaps on the top of the pellet with some additional boards.

[t(AD)pole]

Does he get much exercise? If he's had enough exercise and mental stimulation (like training, playing) he will be better behaved. You could also get him a big sturdy kennel and put a bit of carpet or something that is harder to chew in it.

A. & A.

[Muttaburra]

I dont understand my dog at all.

That's ok, none of us are born with knowledge of how to train dogs.

The real thing that will make the difference here is how quickly you can fast track your knowledge of training and understanding dogs. At six months he should already have had plenty of training, and if he hasn't you are looking a some big problems.

If you want this dog to be the fantastic dog, that he has the potential to be, it will involve some hard work for the next 2 months and then a steady and consistent maintenance of training methods to keep him in check.

From the labrador side he will get silliness, and crave human company, from the cattle side, he will get some working dog traits, which means he needs good exercise and stimulation on a daily basis. With his breeding he should be a very trainable dog, and will probably work well with food rewards.

If you want him to sleep in the old garage, go and clean it up, spend some time in there with him so that he will associate the garage with you. See if you can put an old lounge chair or lounge in there and maybe hangup some of your old clothing (out of reach) or some other items from the house, make it look like a little welcoming home. Get an old fashioned Tic Toc wind up clock or a radio. Block off any draughts, and consider sectioning off a small area like a stall and put his bed there. Make the garage a great place to hang out.

Get a routine happening and dont underestimate the use of words with your dog. At the same time each night, say to the dog "Bed Time", put him on his lead, get him to go to the toilet outside then lead him to his place in the garage. Give him a special little food treat and settle him into his bed. He needs to understand it is the place for him to sleep and that he is not being punished.

[dasha]

I think you need consistency after reading your posts.

You say he has to be an outside dog now but then when you let him in he whines etc to get out, sometimes he goes to sleep when you do. Then you say at the new house he is allowed in but then he is not.

The poor little fella doesn't know whether is is coming or going!

6 months is old enough to be outdoors if you want an outdoor dog. It is not winter or anything so he will cope.

No-one is making him sit on the concrete. You said he has a bed and there is a backyard which I assume has grass or something in it. Dogs will curl up on the lawn if they want even if they have beds!

I think he sits at the door as he knows you will let him in shortly and then he can steal yummy fun things.

Definately go to training school so you can learn how to train him to fit in with your expectation of how you want your dog to behave.

[sas]

I think it's rather mean to allow a dog all the comforts of home and then just chuck it outside.

Why was he chucked outside? Because you were inconsistent owners and he got bad habits? You can turn this around with some education.

What was the reason this dog was brought to your home? As a companion?

If it were me, I'd get rid of the partner.

[huski]

I think it's rather mean to allow a dog all the comforts of home and then just chuck it outside.

Why was he chucked outside? Because you were inconsistent owners and he got bad habits? You can turn this around with some education.

What was the reason this dog was brought to your home? As a companion?

If it were me, I'd get rid of the partner.

A dog can be a companion even if its outside. Some people get a dog intented for it to be inside but then the dog gets too big, or too rambunctious (more so than the owners realised it would) and it is easier to have it outside. Not everyone can predict how the dog will go inside (especially when the dog is a cross as it is difficult to tell how big it will be or what its energy level will be). If you find that the dog is better off outside and it suits you better and the dog is looked after well than I can't see how there could be a problem.

If you find that once the pup gets some training he is better behaved inside and you and your partner can come to an agreement, maybe you can let him inside again (or he could be like my dog, who was inside and is now outside only, and chooses to sleep outside, even if given the choice).

[MyMontage]

A dog can be a companion even if its outside. Some people get a dog intented for it to be inside but then the dog gets too big, or too rambunctious

Surely if someone 'intends' on getting a dog, then the proper research should go into it prior to bringing it home....watching it be a 'cute' small puppy, THEN deciding it's too big! If a dog is an inconveniece to people, then they should look at getting one that will suit their lifestyle better. All it takes is a bit of time and effort to find what will suit you the most.

[poodlefan]

Here's some information to help you understand your dog:

Dogs are a social animal. They want to be with their 'pack'. In buying this puppy, you and your partner became your dog's pack. Dog packs sleep together and hang out together. Prolonged physical isolation from other pack members is not natural or normal for a dog. To go from sleeping with his pack to being isolated from it most of the day would be very distressing to your dog.

If he can't physically get to you he will get as close as he can. That means he will gravitate to a spot where he can see you or where you emerge ie the back door. Buy a kennel (dog's like to sleep in smaller spaces than a big room) and put it so he can see you from the kennel. The garage may be a mansion to you but he prefers a smaller cosier 'den'. Give him a clear line of sight from the kennel to the back door and put it as close as possible to there.

The decision to have the dog sleep outside is yours to make. It's not what I would do but I would hope that you at least give your dog some time inside. BUY A CRATE - it means that you can set it up and your dog can be under complete control when you can't watch him. It will help meet his need for social contact. Most 'outside' dogs don't get a lot of time with their people. Twice a day feeding and the odd walk will not meet your dog's social needs. That means you need to find ways to spend time with him - dog training (both classes and practice) is a very positive way to do this. Some time inside just chilling out with you would be great too.

You basically own the equivalent of an active three year old child. Lab and ACD pups are intelligent, active pups with big needs for physical AND mental stimulation - your dog will be a mix of both. Both breeds have been selectively breed to work closely with people. You need to be doing a lot of work to ensure that this pup gets enough mental stimulation (and when he is a little older physical exercise) to keep him happy. Dog training is the best way to do this - you will learn how to control him, how to get him responsive to your cues and basically develop more of an understanding of what makes him tick. DO THIS NOW because he's only going to get more out of control if you don't teach him self control - I picture this dog without training in another 6 months time and I shudder. Its far easier to teach a pup the right way to behave than to have to break an adult dog of bad habits. I bet he goes absolutely ballistic if he's ever allowed in the house. Picture his reaction from HIS point of view - he'd be soooo excited. Your job is to teach hiim that certain behaviours are expected of him when he's inside - he ain't going to do anything other than go beserk if he knows no better.

Give him things to play with or he will find his own - barking, digging and destruction of your garden will be the price you pay for not keeping him occupied. You don't have to spend big money - a few nice meaty bones, empty plastic soft drink bottles and some tough toys from a cheapie warehouse will help.l

Do the right thing by this pup and he will grow up to be a well mannered, well controlled, pleasant dog to live with. Do nothing and I'll bet within three months your partner will be urging you to get rid of him. Train him to walk nicely on lead and you will be able to give him the exercise he's going to need as he grows. He'll be pulling your arms off soon if you don't teach him the right way to walk.

Edited November 6, 2006 by poodlefan

[huski]

Surely if someone 'intends' on getting a dog, then the proper research should go into it prior to bringing it home....watching it be a 'cute' small puppy, THEN deciding it's too big! If a dog is an inconveniece to people, then they should look at getting one that will suit their lifestyle better. All it takes is a bit of time and effort to find what will suit you the most.

This is true, but there are many occassions where a persons situation changes and it is easier for the dog to be outside or it has to be outside (such as moving to a rental, or a smaller house). Like I said, how can someone who gets a cross or a mongrel truly know what the dog will be like when it gets older? You can do all the research you want but there is no way a person can know what the dog is going to be like until it gets home. You may buy a puppy that is a breed that is generally quiet and passive but then the puppy you get is the total opposite of this. It's not that the dog is an inconvenience, it's just better suited to being outside. I really can't see how it is cruel to get a dog and then put it outside. If the owner isn't happy with the dog inside, surely it's better to put the dog outside? It's hard to have a happy dog when you don't have a happy owner.

If a dog is an inconveniece to people, then they should look at getting one that will suit their lifestyle better.

So, if you get a puppy, let it inside for a couple of months, then find out its better suited to the pup to be outside, you should get a new one and start again, instead of just putting it outside? :p Dogs are very adjustable animals, if you decide after a few months of having a pup you want it outside then it will adjust to it. He won't be lying outside thinking "they don't love me because they put me outside"... thats the way people think, not dogs.