Outdoor Doggy

[graham216gti]

Hi,
Everybody
I was thinking of changing my dog to an outdoor dog mainly to keep an eye on the house (I'll get her a secruity t-shirt)
Just wondering the best way to do this?

She already has an outdoor kennel


Thanks
Graham

 

[boxer]

Outdoors during the day only, or full time outdoors?

I wouldn't recommend that your dog is outdoors at night - here in the UK it gets far too cold for a boxer during the winter. And during the summer, it can get too hot, though that's not such an issue as long as you provide a means for your dog to cool down (a paddling pool and plenty of shade is ideal). Alas, boxers do not regulate temperature well, and are easily overcome by heat especially.

With that said, if it's a matter of keeping an eye on the house - she can actually do that from inside it A dog as a deterrent to burglars is probably more effective inside. If they're in the back garden, a burglar would only need to enter from the front to avoid the dog... You might also consider that it is easier for someone to steal your dog from your yard than it is from your house.

Anyway, if you really want to leave her outdoors during the day, the best way to transition her to that is probably to spend a lot of time outside with her. During the weekends etc so that she gets used to being outdoors all day. You do need to be out as well, otherwise your dog is likely to protest at being out while you're in, and you'll quickly teach her to bark (not what you want). From there, you should be able to then leave her out while you're at work. No guarantees that she won't bark, but it's probably the best chance you have of aclimating her being outdoors all day.

 

[graham216gti]

When she is in the house for the night she is in a cage, At first because it stopped her weeing and poohing everywhere and now because if the front door is open she's gone if the toilet door is open yum yum cat pooh and she won't stop running around the house

She is already an outdoor dog during the day

full time outdoors?
I would get her jacket she already has a nice kennel cost me £120


Thanks
Graham

 

[boxer]

Hmm. Well, I'm afraid that sounds more like a bored dog that needs more exercise and more mental stimulation, than a dog who will respond well to being left outdoors. I think you'd probably achieve more in regard to improving her house manners by enrolling her in an obedience school and taking her to regular classes (mental stimulation - all boxers need it ) than by turning her into an outdoor dog. Left outdoors full time, I think you'd find that her obedience level deteriorates and she'll "invent" things to do (destructiveness, basically).

 

[PatrickJamie]

Anyway, if you really want to leave her outdoors during the day, the best way to transition her to that is probably to spend a lot of time outside with her. During the weekends etc so that she gets used to being outdoors all day. You do need to be out as well, otherwise your dog is likely to protest at being out while you're in, and you'll quickly teach her to bark (not what you want).

Is this what my problem is? I've been trying to get Bowser (13 week old male) to stay outside by himself for a decent amount of time (half hour to an hour). When I go inside, he sits there at the end of his tie-out and barks at the house. He's fine being outside if someone's out there with him, but as soon as we walk inside, it's bark bark bark. He'll stop intermittantly, but he's pretty much at the end of the tie-out barking or taking a short break from barking the whole time he's out there.

I don't disbelieve you, but I have my doubts as to whether this will stop if my wife and I spend more time outside with my particular dog, because we already have spent quite a bit outside with him. In addition to spending more time with him in the back yard, should I be ignoring it and hoping that he learns that it doesn't get him anything, or should I be yelling uh-uh every time he barks (my trainer says to negative mark him every time he barks)? I'm not sure my neighbors enjoy a shouting match between me and my dog, but hopefully we can get this resolved before his bark is full-grown. It's already gaining some good force.


Thanks,
Patrick

 

[KristenElla]

I know there are differing opinions out there on training dogs to say the least. Here is my opinion based on personal experience, research and tons of advice from wonderful dog people:

I don't believe in negative reinforcement training other than a firm "no" before I distract them and then reward them for doing what I want them to do. Turning a negative into a positive and leaving them with a good feeling. To me, negative treatment can result in a scared and potentially aggressive dog. They learn that aggression is OK and will use it on others they believe are "lower" then them when they feel necessary. I loved the book "The Dog Listener" by Jan Fennell. I've really seen a turn around in the behavior of my dogs in a very short time by beginning to use her methods again on this set of pups.

As far as tie outs are concerned, my parents used to have to do that because they lived on several unfenced acres. It always ended up with the dog barking continuously. Yelling just made it worse. Dogs bark on tie outs not only because they don’t want to be separated from your family but because they believe they are in a vulnerable position unable to retreat from any type of confrontation. This can cause aggression too because they must fight when they feel threatened because they can’t “flight” or retreat. Lastly, it’s been my experience that when you yell at a dog on a tie out, they think you are barking too and don’t understand why you are so upset. I guess I just haven’t seen tie outs or yelling work. I would also be scared the dog would get tangled up and hang/strangle without direct supervision. Personally, if I had a trainer that was telling me to be negative to my dog, I'd find another and fast.

Our neighbors have a Doberman and they leave him in the back yard 24/7. He also barks 24/7. He jumps the fence at every opportunity and runs away. I really don't blame him and I actually feel sorry for him. He has nothing to do back there by himself all day and night except "protect" his yard from any bird, varmint or noise he hears. He has determined that this is his only job in life and he does it well by barking and driving all the neighbors’ absolutely stark raving nuts. In my opinion, this is no life for a dog at all. They are pack members and like to be around their humans.

Just my two cents

 

[gmacleod]

Is this what my problem is? I've been trying to get Bowser (13 week old male) to stay outside by himself for a decent amount of time (half hour to an hour).

No, I don't think that's your problem at all. You can't just pick up advice about how to transition an adult dog (that already spends all day outdoors alone) to being outdoors all the time to the objections of a 13 week old puppy to being left all on his own outside.

The problem you have is that your puppy is a baby and should not actually be left on his own outdoors for any length of time. He is genetically programmed to scream for his mother if he is isolated from his pack (as all vulnerable babies should do) and that is precisely what he is doing. Yelling at him will not stop it, it is likely to make things worse.

What you should do is wait until he is quite a lot older - at least six months - before you expect him to spend time outdoors on his own. And then only if you have a secure fence (and a neutered dog). Bear in mind that boxers are easily capable of clearing a 6" fence. No dog should ever be left unattended on a tie-out - that is how thousands every year end up strangling themselves (so tie-outs should be used under supervision only).

 

[Ritzy57]

Hey Graham, the LAST dog you would want to own, to keep outside is a Boxer!
Boxers simply are NOT outside dogs! Their hair and nose are both very short. They can't cool themselves like other dogs, and they can get sunburn and feel cold more easily than other breeds. They are also bred to be part of the family. Do some more reading on this site, and you will get a feel as to how lots of other people around the world, treat their Boxers.
I hope you change your mind on this idea.