Indoor vs. Outdoor during Day

[sporter]

Hello. I have been a silent monitor but now need some advise and input!

My husband and I are about to get our first boxer: a 6 yers old brindle fellow named Wilson. My husband works from home 1 day a week, and probably twice a week Wilson will go to a dog daycare. Here is the question: Do any of you have nice outdoor kennel that you r keep your boxer in during the day, while at work?

My husband thinks that if we build one, with a nice dog shelter/house, and roof, that Wilson will be fine left outdoors in it most days while at work.

I of course have mixed feelings about this as I know that Boxers are not all-the-time outdoor dogs, especially in the winter months.

What do you all think? Your opinions and thoughs would be greatly appreciated! (If I had my way, Wilson would have his own bedroom/kennel area!)

Thank you,
Sarah in NH

 

[ljnash]

I have a dog door so my girls can go in and out of the house whenever they need to during the day. My next door neighbor who is retired and home all day says they don't come outside often. I was afraid they might go outside and bark a lot, but she says she never hears them! They go outside more when I'm there at home.

I keep them in at night while myself and most other people are trying to sleep.

 

[Thomas Liggin]

At six years of age, a dog can usually "hold it" for 10 - 12 hours before getting uncomfortable. If Wilson is reliable and trustworthy when left alone, you might consider getting a couple of baby gates and confining him to one room. and eliminating the temptations from that room.

If you can't trust Wilson, crating or doggy day care might be the answer. Boxers have been stolen from people's yards and kennels.

Boxers normally do not do well outside. They have problems with heat and cold, in addition to being left alone. Separation anxiety can lead to destructive behavior.

Doors to let dogs or cats in and out at will can do the job. Just keep in mind that they will also admit other critters such as skunks, racoons, foxes, and coyotes just to name a few.

Perhaps you have a neighbor or friend who could come over during the middle of your absence to let the dog out for a while.

There are a lot of things that can happen to a dog left unattended, and none of them are good.


Tom

 

[Adelle]

Personally I would never leave my dog outside when I am not home to supervise. There are too many things that can happen.

1. Boxers don't do well in extreme heat or cold
2. A bored lonely dog can dig under a fence and take off (I know this because my boxer did it all the time in his last home)
3. Someone could take your dog, rare but it does happen

this is only the tip of the ice berg


I think he will be safer and you will have peace of mind if he is indoors in a dog proof area or crated.

Good luck with your new addition

 

[sporter]

In or Out

I agree with all of you. Just wish I could get my husband on the same page.

Thank you all for the replies too. I have already called several pet sitters and a dog daycare. I think those are better options for those days that we are gone a long time.

Sarah

 

[luvrboxers]

My husband and I both work long hours when we work so for now we leave our boxer and dal in a kennel with a tarp roof and those strips that weave through chain link, there is a swimming pool in there and three full water dishes along with a self feeder for food. They only have to stay in there two days a week but I know they are extremely happy to get out and run when we get home.

 

[Boxerpal1]

We have a dog walker who takes Sampson if we're gone for more than 8 hours in a day. On our shorter days, we crate him. We'd love to have him out of the crate but with his sep. anx., it causes him too much stress (and on our house as well).

 

[Tankersbabe]

My Semmi is a part time indoor/part time outdoor. Hubby and I built a nice kennel in our backyard with Dogloo, automatic waterer and automatic feeder, concrete floor and everything. However, if the temps are too hot or too cold, she is indoors..IN HER CRATE...while we are at work. I would love to let her run the house while we are gone, but she gets bored and gets into stuff.

We haven't had any problems, other than her hating rain. If it is raining, might as well keep her in. She has torn the chainlink off of her kennel door ( she now has a solid aluminum door), she has ripped the chainlink off the posts, opened huge holes in it...We have repaired it about three times...but then we put a heavier grade chainlink up...I don't think an elephant could damage this, but not counting on it. We have actually had her 'lift' her kennel and get out. She is the Houdini Dog.

We have plans to fence our backyard eventually, but right now, this is good...she is bull headed and would probably find the smallest hole and work her way out. Gotta love those bull heads!

Good luck!

Stef

 

[adeinert]

I can only speak for Florida. No boxer should be left outside in Florida, not sure what summer is like in NH. Pretty much any month out of the year can be hot here. In fact, I wouldn't let a boxer be adopted to a home where the dog was left outside. They are indoor dogs. We have received calls on our hotline where boxers have passed away from heat exhaustion in a short period of time.

I think your boxer would love to go to a doggy daycare on those days. Mine have gone and they love it!

Congratulations on the upcoming addition.
Ashlie

 

[FlashyTitus]

My vet told me he puts more boxers down during the summer than any other breed due to heat exposure. Here in Wilmington the heat gets unbearable. Like today it was 98 with a 109 index. Humidity is horrible. If it were me I would buy a extra large crate and keep him inside during the day. I keep Titus in a crate when I am not home.