How to Train an Indoor Dog to Sleep Outside
Dog is man's best friend, but that doesn't mean your dog has to run your life. You started off on the right foot, giving your dog a comfortable place to sleep indoors. But now the time has come to make a change, and it's time to train your indoor dog to sleep outside.
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Instructions
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Make sure dog is hearty enough to sleep outdoors. Not all breeds of dogs are able to handle the harsh elements of the outdoors. And some dogs are so dainty that one pleasant night outdoors would be too much. The temperature outside can also play a factor in this. Experts agree that 35 degrees F is just too cold for any dog to be outside. Consider the breed of your dog as well as your dog's personality to determine if your dog would be a prime candidate to sleep outdoors.
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Provide a safe outdoor environment. When your dog is sleeping, it needs to be protected. Make sure there is an adequate fence to keep your dog in and to keep predators out. You should also provide shelter for your dog in the event of bad weather. There are some nice dog houses on the market that are popular among dog owners to provide this outdoor shelter.
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Create an environment similar to indoors. If your dog is used to sleeping on pillows and covers, provide those outdoors for your dog. When your dog is comfortable, it will be more likely to spend the night outdoors.
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Ease into the transition. If your dog right now sleeps on your bed, it might be too much to expect it to sleep outdoors suddenly. You should first encourage the dog to sleep on the floor. Then, you can move it out of the room, then in the laundry room, then in the garage and eventually outside. Your dog will be more likely to comply with these new sleeping arrangements if it doesn't have to adjust suddenly.
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Comments
View all 6 Comments-
Sharon I can see from your post that you are one of those " dog snobs " that think only dogs over 100 lbs are real dogs. You speak as though you're some kind of expert when using the words " fairies and menstrual" negate your entire post. By the way, how many of those " happy " outside dogs have you interviewed?
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Your language ("fairies", "menstrual") displays your ignorance. No need to read or consider your words seriously.
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How many dogs does The Dog Whisperer have living outside? Of all breeds? LOTS! They are dogs. NOT people! Animal, Dog, Breed, Name. "Person" is not anywhere in there. What a bunch of fairies. Outside dogs are happy dogs whose owners are responsible pet owners. Plenty of playing time, walks, toys etc. This article is the only one that I've found that didn't go all menstrual on the subject and then I read these stupid comments. I bet all these people dress their dogs in stupid clothing and think they like it.
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ingridm
Feb 18, 2010
We have a Rodestion Ridgeback, we are happy for him to be inside and to sleep inside and is happy to be outside and likes his kennel so long as the door isnt closed and we are home. However if we go out and he is outside he becomes extremelyanxious, scratches the door,whines, runs around looking through any windows and doors, pulls curtains through any open windows to try get inside. Does anyone have any suggestions for us before he scratches a whole through the door(yes it is that bad)The main thing however is for now he kind of rules our lives because we dont want to leave the house with him in the anxious state he is in. -
AJ Tyne
Jul 13, 2009
While these are reasonable and considerate (of the dog) steps to train an indoor dog to sleep outside, I can think of no reason to ever need to train the dog to sleep outside! If you can train the dog in the way described in this article then you should be able to fix any behavior problem that would cause you to have to put the dog outside in the first place. And don't get me started on someone having allergies -- keep the dog out of their room, or better don't get a dog if someone has allergies!
