sleeping outside

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sandman

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#21
All right, I'm not going to say a THING about them sleeping outside, that's beside the point.

Have you seen their water? OMG wow, that's sick! And where they sleep! it's SOOO dirty! And Pip sleeping with a huge chain like that on.

Wow :mad:
The water is actually CLEAN! The bowl is old. They get fresh water every day. As I said before Pip has run of the whole paddock. Our dogs are very healthy, and i think that shows since we have had them this way for years and Ben, you know he's 17 and we have had him since he was a pup as well! He is still going with NO health problems at all apart from old age creeping up on him. I think you people have the wrong idea about your dogs, yes I love my dogs, and I love to have them healthy and happy, BUT I think you are forgetting that they are in fact dogs...not people. If you choose to have your dog inside with you at all times that is your choice. Lots of people have their dogs sleep outside. As for my pup, I will have you know after 2 nights she has stopped crying and is happy outside with the others. So thanks for nothing, with the exception of one member who actually tried to help me by directing me to another post.
 

sandman

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#22
plus as for pips chain, i dont think you realize WHY she has a big chain on, which in fact is not that heavy at all! She is extremely good at breaking chains. Been through tons of them.
 

Lizmo

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#23
Sandman if you are looking for anyone here to agree with them sleeping outside, or indulging your notions.........you are in the wrong place. Most of us here do not agree with it, nor would we encourage anyone else to do it.

That is meant in the most kind and sincere way I can say it.
Exactly.
 

Whisper

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#24
I agree, Coop.

plus as for pips chain, i dont think you realize WHY she has a big chain on, which in fact is not that heavy at all! She is extremely good at breaking chains. Been through tons of them.
And you don't know what message she's sending you by that?
Poor dogs. :(
 

~Jessie~

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#25
I just want to say... WOW.

The water has algae growing in it... how would you like to drink water with green slime all in it?

Everything looks filthy and unsanitary. That is just really sad :(
 

noludoru

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#26
I'm going to do my absolute best to be polite.With that said, I'm rescuing a dog from WORSE conditions than yours are in. So for everyone in the thread.. please remember.. there is worse. At least Sandman's dogs have water. Midnight cannot say the same for himself, and there's nothing I can do about it for now. :( There IS something we can do for Sandman's dogs, though.

#1 you are going to need to find a place your dogs can stay in for several hours while you clean. Preferably a fenced area, or a room, and preferably supervised.

First things first.. clear out all the bowls/bedding/cardboard/newspaper/etc. Anything that can be picked up and moved, please do so. Spoiled, dirty things go in the trash (ie the newspaper and that bowl if you cannot thoroughly scrub the algae out--many types of algae are poisonous to dogs, and that algae is 'blooming' which is very dangerous). Things like bowls and toys go in a clean sink or bucket filled with scalding water that's loaded with soap, and let soak for a bit. When the water is at a temperature your hands can stand, scrub them CLEAN. Clean enough that you would not hesitate to lick it. If you cannot get the things in that condition.. throw them out.

Next please remove the 'beds' for your dogs. The cardboard one ought to be thrown away. Go buy a decently built 'house.' I don't know what kind. Perhaps another member (OC? I'll PM her and see.) can suggest good 'house' ideas, for building yourself or for buying.

Sweep up the area thoroughly (some sort of 'push' broom, I don't know what they are called, rather than the usual ones works best) removing all hay, hair, debris, and dirt. Next hose down the concrete--that IS concrete, yes?--thoroughly. Pull out some heavy-duty cleaning products (I would personally suggest a 2-5% solution of bleach, but other members no doubt have better suggestions) and CLEAN. Get down on your knees and scrub until you are tired. Hose it off, make more solution and scrub some more. Then thoroughly wash it off, letting the water run for a long while, and make sure to get the cleaning solution out of all the areas it may have gone on the ground near by. (Running the hose for a bit should do the trick.)

If I am wrong and the platform the beds are on is NOT concrete.. if you can't scrub it clean, get rid of it. Pave the area with bricks, lay some concrete there, something. You need something easily washable. If you get concrete, you are going to need to buy some easily washable plastic mats. (The kind they have in horse stables...) They will provide comfort, warmth in winter, prevent the dogs from hurting themselves on hard surfaces constantly, and be easy to remove and clean. Cut them down to fit well.

I don't know if the area is enclosed, but your next step is to enclose it. Something like the lattice you have near Indie will suffice well. Buy some more lattice, or planks, whatever works, and make it dog-proof.

Chain link fence around the ENTIRE area the dogs are will eliminate te need for chains, so I highly suggest you do so, but any kind of fencing at least 4' in height will work. I suggest 5'.

Your next step, now, after you have thoroughly cleaned and discarded things (Everything should be spotless now--the trashcan should be cleaned and moved somewhere else, and the beddings should be washed with soap and dried.) is to wash your dogs. They probably smell to high heavens. Give them a good wash with some soap specially made for dogs. Clean and dry their collars or buy new ones.

Now your bowls, blankets, toys, and brand new places for them to sleep should be clean and sanitary. As I said before, if the stuff is not clean enough to be licked, then it should have a one-way field trip to the trash can. Your next step is to KEEP the area that way. Every day poop should be scraped up and hosed off. In the thread previously linked, OC says that lime works well in getting rid of the smell. Use it. Bowls should be scrubbed thoroughly in hot water with some mild soap daily, because standing water outside tends to get things growing in it. Food bowls should be washed after each use in the same fashion. When toys get a little grimy, same thing.

Bedding should be washed when dirty or beginning to smell, and at the very least every two weeks.
 

Dekka

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#27
great post Noludoru!!

I would like to point out that healthy does not equate happy. You can keep a horse cooped up in a 12X12 stall all its life, or a man in a 6X5 cell and keep them healthy. Does not make them content. (not saying your dogs are that bad, just as a point when you say they are healthy)

You can get strong thin metal cord that is pretty much unbreakable if you need to tie (though a chain link fence is best) so your poor dog isn't trying to sleep with the heavy chain on.

Why do you think dogs should stay outside at night? To me that is as strange as saying I want kids, but they need to sleep in the shed at night. Now my untrustworthy ones do sleep in crates at night. But really why get an animal that has been bred for millenia to be with humans, then toss it out for the night. I know people used to do this, but we learn. We have learned much about dogs (and other animals) in the last 50 years.
 
A

Angel Chicken

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#28
I have a few things myself to say...

I don't normally jump into these threads, but I feel the need to now.

Sandman, let me first say that your pups are darlings!

Ok, now that I have said that, on to my advice.

Now, I am against keeping dogs outside myself, that will not stop me from trying to help you, though!!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Winter's in Australia aren't too cold at all, are they?

First, I think you need to get you a nice kennel run. With three dogs, it will have to be a big one. I see you have two dog houses already, so all you will need to do is follow Nol's post and CLEAN THE HELL OUT OF THOSE!

Get another dog house for the pup. Cardboard will not do.

Secondly, you will need to make these dog houses a rise so they are off the ground, away from water if it rains or things of the sort.

The rise should look something like this


This will keep them high and dry in the rain and out of the dirt. You should use sturdy wood to make this, so it can hold up under the dog's weight.

If anyone feels like they should add more... please do. I think I covered most everything.
 
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#30
Ok, yes I do keep my dogs outside but I would never EVER keep them in the condition yours are in....Nothing against you personally, but seriously, those conditions are dispicable. You were linked to my article that I have posted here (actually yuo were given the link twice), I did not clean up the kennel at all for any of thse pictures, that's simply how clean my kennel is all the time (the way it should be). The winter one you will notice some straw and shavings on the floor which is from it clinging to the dog's fur when they come out of their dog house, and then falling off when they do their morning shake. It gets swept once a week.

I dont know where to even start here....Well deffinately first thing is the thorough cleaning like Noludoru suggested. Bowls and such are expensive at pet stores, I suggest going to co-op stores or other farm supply shops instead. They tend to be much more appropriately-priced.

Deffinately throw out that cardboard box! That is going to do nothing for you puppy but make things worse. If it rains the cordboard absorbs the moisture making the inside damp and COLD. NOT what you want a pup to be dealing with. Either buy a proper wooden doghouse (plastic ones really arent worth the money IMO) or buld one yourself. There are plenty of blueprints available on the internet which I could locate for you. Something else you could look into getting is a wooden shipping crate from a shipping company then all you have to do is attach insulation (foam insulation works great) on the inside and then put plywood over the insulation so the pup doesnt have access to chew it. This will take a little bit of time to locate and make regardless of which route you take so in the mean time what would work quite well is to get a rain barrel for each dog, fasten the lid tightly, cut a hole at one end that is just big enough for the dog to get in and out, tip it on it's side with big cylinder blocks around it so it cant roll away or fasten it to something so it cant roll away and VOILA! A temporary dog house that is water proof. If it is very warm by you, I suggest drilling some holes in the opposite side from the door for ventilation. Check your local classififed ads. I dont know about your area but around here people have doghouses for sale quite often. MAKE SURE IT IS INSULATED!!!!! ALL dog houses should be placed in a spot that is always shaded!!!!

Next step is to throw out those blankets!!!! pillows and blankets are useless to an outdoor dog especially if they get dirty/damp/wet. A much better, more efficient, and even cheaper solution is to get some shavings (not saw dust! SHAVINGS) and straw (make sure you dont get hay!). Put a layer of shavings down first (it absorbs moisture and dries quickly as well as repels fleas) and then put down a thick layer of straw. Dogs are smart, they will manipulate the straw in a way that either makes a cozy nest for cooler nights, or simply lay on top of it so it is simply a cool comfy bed.

Get the wool sweater off the puppy. If he decides to start chewing it and injests some it could cost you $$$$$$ in vet bills if you are lucky enough that he doesnt die. Besides, if your provide enough straw he shouldnt need it anyway. Actually in all honesty I am very against keeping young puppies outside especially if they dont have an older dog allowing him to share the house and snuggle up with (keep warm).

Also, Pip needs to lose weight. By allowing him to be that large all you are doing is hindering his ability to keep cool when it is warm.

I wont lie, seeing the pup in the doghouse like that doesnt give me the impression that he loves his house, it gives me the impression that he is scared. Pups of that age should be curious and boisterous, therefore when he sees you come out and especially with something new and interesting (AKA the camera) they should immediately willingly come out to explore and say hi. The fact that he stays in his box and only watches is a bit unsettling. He does have his ears up and attention on your which is good, but to me he should still be coming out to see you like Pip is.

Finally, ALL the dogs deserve some inside time not just the puppy. That is crucial bonding time and the dogs really do enjoy it. Right now my "outdoor dogs" are camped out beside me in the basement. They will be staying inside all day even when I go to work because it is too hot for them outside. Later on in the evening, then they go outside and will sleep outside but tomorrow morning they will be back in again. Like I said in my article any time I am home and awake the dogs are inside with me because as much as they love it outside, they still want to be with me too, and I want to be with them.
 

sandman

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#32
Ok i took all of advice in but, my dogs will still sleep outside. As for the conditions, pup got a brand new doghouse yesterday. Pip will always be chained up but I have asked my dad to let her off every day for a while. The chain is not actually heavy, it looks it, but its not, as hard as that may be to believe. I cleaned the whole area and pup has a temporary pen made from lattice to keep her in, along with the new doghouse, which is raised above the ground by 4 little legs. The area is not exactly huge, but she isn't in there during the day remember. Also Ben the old one, he is never tied up. He just waunders around. Here are some new pix.

Pips doghouse, she can still jump up the paddock.


This is where she can run up, allllll the way up there.


This is the new puphouse.


And this is her night time playpen, scuse the mess i haven't cleaned it out yet.



so, is this ok by everyone? I pup alot of effort into making this yesterday, not to mention how much the doghouse cost.
 

Doberluv

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#34
I am sorry, but that's a miserable life for a dog.........to be chained up so much. What a sad, sad situation. It's no different than if a human being were chained up all the time. It's cruel. You ought to re-home at least that dog to someone who has the time and know how to train her so she doesn't "have" to be chained.

I know you're trying and it's not all up to you.
 

ACooper

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#35
I don't agree that you got a new puppy, especially when the other two already have to be locked up so much................

But I will say that I LOVE the new puphouse, it is very cute :)
 

Dekka

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#36
Its a gorgeous dog house...very nice. And the pen is Ok but should really be a lot bigger. How long is pips chain? Can he/she move away from her bed to go potty? The place looks much cleaner...good for you.
 

bubbatd

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#37
You are trying hard and I commend you for that . I just don't see the sense of having 3 dogs kenneled outside . Do they ever get out to have fun ??
 

sandman

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#38
I don't think you read my last post properly. If you look at the 2nd photo, you will see that she can run all the way up there. Ben, the older one is never chained up, and my pup only stays in the pen at night or when im not here, otherwise she runs around with the older one. Doberluv she is chained up yes, but she has a wire run and can go through the paddock at will. Why should we re-home her when we have had her since she was 6 weeks old, wouldn't that make her unhappy? She is quite happy, tail alwaya wagging etc. I take them all the beach when I can for a run around. Which they all enjoy. I do spend alot of time with my dogs. They are all happy, i know it is hard for some of you to believe that a dog that spends most of its time outside can be happy but they are. Thank you to all who were kind and helpful. I think I have improved it alot.
 
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#39
It looks a lot better!!!!!! I still recommend throwing out those water dishes and getting rid of the blankets though....I love the new doghouse!!!!!!
 

lakotasong

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#40
If I had an outside " pet " it would be a hen to lay eggs or a goat ( or sheep ) to clip my grass . To me domesticated animals deserve an indoor life and human contact .Exceptions : working dogs ... farm or sledding .
I am constantly saddened by the fact that people think that these "exceptions" are okay. My sled dogs are no less driven to work when kept inside, given toys, allowed on the couch, etc... My mother's herding dogs are also no less driven to work by being kept inside with all the same privileges. I pity the dogs of people who treat them like soulless machines put on this planet for nothing other than sport or work. :(
 
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