When your dog is to stay outdoors, there are several things to consider including:
- providing safe confinement
- protection from the elements
- a fresh supply of water
- adequate stimulation for their jaws and brain
Safely confining your dog outside.
There are so many reasons to have a secure confinement for your dog. Foremost, it is the law in almost every state that you must keep your dog safely confined on your property. Secondly, confinement is for your dog’s safety. If he isn’t confined, he might get onto a road, get lost, or stolen. Third, you need to keep people safe from your dog even if he is friendly. Many people think that if their dog is friendly, it should be allowed to go anywhere. Not everyone likes dogs, some people are seriously allergic to them, and some dogs may behave aggressively if a strange dog comes up to them.
There are many options to provide for safe confinement and you should find the best one for you, making sure that you consult your local and state ordinances to see what is legal in your area. Some popular choices are kennel runs, underground fences, traditional fences, and tethering. Tethering is illegal in many areas and it should never be used for a dog with aggression issues. Always remember to use secure gate latches that a jumping dog will not be able to open.
If you opt to have a kennel run there are a couple of things to think about. You should to decide what kind of base you want to put in the kennel run. You want something that drains well or is easily cleaned with a water hose, discourages the dog from digging out, and is comfortable for the dog to walk and lay on. It is recommended that you utilize the shade tops for the kennel runs.
A dog house protects your dog from the elements.
There are many dog houses on the market and it is important to choose one that is best for your dog’s size and the climate you live in. Even if you live in a warm climate and your dog is only outside a few hours at time, your dog needs to be able to escape the elements (rain, heat, wind, snow, etc.). There are many dog house products on the market today that provide very good insulation in both hot and cold weather, and some dog houses even provide heating and/or air conditioning.
In most areas it is illegal to not offer shelter to a dog confined outside. Just because they have fur doesn’t mean they are not affected by the weather. Yes, wild animals don’t have dog houses but they do usually have natural shelter that most yards do not offer. In addition, dogs have been domesticated for so long and some have been bred for specific traits where they no longer have good survival instincts to weather the elements.
Many dogs need to be taught to go into their dog house. Start by putting their dinner bowl near the entrance. Then progressively feed them further and further into the dog house until they happily go in without reward. Do not pressure or coerce your dog to try new things as this usually makes the dog avoid those things even more. The key is taking it slowly so the dog doesn’t realize things are changing. This is particularly important with the dog houses that have doors on them. You may want to add a comfortable bed or mat for the dog to lay on inside the dog house. There are weather resistant beds that are specifically designed for outside usage.
There are also outdoor cat houses available and many have heating options. These are ideal for providing weather protection for feral cats.
Provide a fresh and continual source of water.
You will need a constant source of fresh water for a pet that is outside with the elements. There are self waterers, bowls that clip onto fences, heavy bowls that don’t get knocked over easy, heated water bowls that won't freeze, and plenty of other drinking water dispensing products to provide your dog with a steady supply of clean water.
Keep your outdoor dog entertained.
Dogs are pack animals and by nature are not designed to be alone for an extended period of time. Often, a dog misbehaves because he is lonely or extremely bored. Your dog should have many safe toys available to entertain himself when you are not with him. Specifically treat balls, buster cubes, Nylabones®, Kong® toys stuffed with treats, and other mentally stimulating toys are recommended. There are literally hundreds of toys available for dogs. You need to pick products that are safe for your dog. Some dogs might completely destroy and eat toys that other dogs might keep for years. Please, carefully consider whether your dog could hurt himself on his toy. It isn’t as though your dog will understand that eating big hunks of plastic or rawhide could hurt him.
This article was co-authored by America’s Pet Store and Michelle Blount-Jordan and may not be reproduced without permission. It has been written to provide general information on product selection and training. It is not intended to be a substitution for the information that comes with your product. If you have a dog with behavioral problems and particularly with fear or aggression issues, you should contact a reputable and local trainer who can assist you with your dog.
Michelle Blount-Jordan
www.doghuman.com
