House training + Leaving your dog outside during the day while we're out

Cindouy
Cindouy Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone!

I’m writing this post to share my experience after getting my dog and hopefully help anyone else in the same boat.

So, I adopted a lovely little Golden Retriever called Népal. When I got her, she was 3 months old and I was off work for a fortnight, so I could look after her. My partner took over for the whole of August and did his bit too. Népal was growing up and becoming more and more house-trained—no more accidents at night. Then September came and we both had to go back to work. At first, I could pop home at lunch, but unfortunately, every time I got back at midday or in the evening, there was mess all over the house... Now, I know everyone will say it’s normal, she was still tiny, you have to be patient and definitely not tell her off. I agree, and I tried my best, but honestly, who enjoys spending their lunch breaks and evenings on all fours mopping up mess (which was proportional to the size of the dog)? Quite often it would run under the furniture, which was a complete nightmare. The house just smelt of pee and poo—not exactly pleasant...

As the weeks went by, she got older but there was no improvement with the house training. In fact, she was regressing because she started having accidents at night again (even though she’d stopped doing that, even when we first went back to work). We tried to stay calm, but let’s face it, deep down we were just really frustrated, and I think she could sense it. Plus, since you aren't supposed to clean up in front of them, I’d put her out in the garden. She’d then start crying, and at 6 am, that isn't exactly the best wake-up call! Anyway, cleaning up morning, noon, and night... I was starting to get fed up.

Then a new job opportunity came up for me, but there was one small problem: I could no longer get home at lunch, and my partner couldn't either. What were we to do with Népal? Leave her in the house all day, knowing that even when we came home at lunch she wasn't clean, and she'd be surrounded by four piles of poo and four puddles of pee? Or leave her in the garden, setting up a proper area for her where she could go to the toilet and come and go as she pleased?

I tried to find answers on the forum. Lots of people told me it was better to leave her indoors; others suggested getting a pet sitter (at about £8.50 a day, I absolutely couldn't afford it), or even rehoming her to give her a better life. Actually, I think I was mainly looking for stories from people who leave their dogs outside, but every reply I got agreed on one thing: WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T LEAVE HER OUTSIDE. I didn't really understand why, because I've known plenty of dogs who lived outdoors and didn't seem unhappy, and even some of my neighbours' dogs live outside. (Post is getting too long)

Translated from French
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6 answers
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    • M
    Melanalis Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi everyone, We’re in the same boat: we have a 6-year-old Goldie and have just brought home a 2-month-old Aussie puppy. Now that he’s older, our Golden stays outside during the day and comes back in with us in the evening. We’d like to do the same with the Aussie because, unlike our Goldie at that age, he’s much more high-energy (typical of the breed!) and really enjoys the space outdoors – not to mention the toilet training accidents... However, I’m terrified of him being stolen! The garden is fenced and our big dog is a great guard dog; we live on an old housing estate in a quiet little village, but I’m still in two minds. Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts and experiences.
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    C
    Célinais Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there, I'm getting a puppy soon. I can get back at lunchtime, but I’m in two minds about leaving him outside as he’ll only be 8 weeks old. Our old boy stays outdoors during the day, but in the evening he’s in his bed or even in ours lol! I don't really like the idea of keeping the pup inside while the old man is out, what do you think? Could it cause some tension between them? Plus, we’re heading into the warmer months now here in the south. Thanks for your advice. PS: We’ve insulated our lad’s kennel with cork sheets.
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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Watch out for pet theft :x

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    Dogslover
    Dogslover Icon representing the flag French
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    Evening, From what I understand you’ve set up a heat lamp, which is a great idea. The best thing would be to insulate the kennel with polystyrene as it holds the heat really well, and straw is brilliant too! You could also leave several fleece blankets in there as well as the heat lamp. There are coats for large dogs too, but you’d need to check there’s no risk of her trying to take it off and getting stuck or anything while you’re away. Ideally, she’d have a dog flap that’s the right size for her to get in; that way you don't have to leave the door open and you won't get any cold draughts coming in. I think that should be plenty! Especially if you bring her into the house at night. My old gundog used to live outdoors and we used these methods, especially plenty of straw, and it stayed nice and toasty in his kennel. GOOD INSULATION is the key! 👌 PS: Most importantly, make sure the kennel is raised off the ground, that's much better.
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    Cindouy
    Cindouy Icon representing the flag French
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    (Continued) I can honestly say now that I don’t regret this decision one bit, for my dog’s sake or my own. When she used to stay indoors, I was constantly stressed, rushing to get home and cross about having to clean up after her. I’d end up putting her outside even though all she really wanted was to be with me.

    Now, it’s the complete opposite. When I get home, I’m so happy to see her. I’m much more relaxed; she stays in the house with me, playing and having lots of cuddles—it’s such a joy! As for my dog, she doesn't seem unhappy at all—quite the contrary! She’s thrilled to see us and gives us such a warm welcome; she plays just as much as she used to and is even more affectionate now. She’s happy being able to be outside, watching the world go by, chewing on her sticks, playing, and going to the toilet whenever she feels like it. I’ve actually noticed fewer accidents, too. I think being shut in must have stressed her out because she couldn't do as she pleased, so she just went where she shouldn't.

    And as a result, the house-training issues at night have been resolved too! Because she’s getting more stimulation during the day, she’s more tired at night and doesn't wake up needing to go out.

    So, to anyone who loves their dogs but is considering leaving them outside: it is possible, provided they have a warm spot to go to, the dog is suited to it, and the garden is properly secure. Don’t get me wrong, I still feel a bit guilty leaving her out there by herself sometimes, but I really think I’ve made the right choice and it doesn't make me a bad owner. There’s a world of difference between letting a dog stay outside during the day while still looking after them, taking them for walks, etc., and just relegating a dog to the bottom of the garden and ignoring them. I do still have a few questions, though, so if anyone can help: what’s the lowest temperature she can safely stay outside in? And what can I use to better insulate her shelter (and her kennel) from the wind and cold once winter arrives?

    Anyway, that’s my story. Best wishes to all you fellow animal lovers out there!

    Translated from French
    Cindouy
    Cindouy Icon representing the flag French
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    (continued) So, I went against all that advice. I couldn’t stand the thought of my dog being stuck inside all day in her own mess, bored and pacing in circles. Plus, I have to think about my house—the hygiene and the smell would be a nightmare... It wasn’t a decision I took lightly, choosing to leave her outside. We have a wooden shed, about 50 square feet, which we’ve completely cleared out just for her. We’ve set up a really cosy, comfy kennel in there with a memory foam bed, blankets, and a heat lamp; I don’t think anyone could call me a bad owner after all that. Besides, dogs are perfectly capable of living outdoors; you only have to look at advice from animal welfare organisations like the RSPCA or vet blogs about precautions for dogs living outside in winter. I built it up gradually so she could get used to being alone outside. I started at the weekend for an hour, then two, then three, then just for the afternoon, and finally for the whole day. I kept coming home to check on her as often as I could until I eventually stopped popping back at lunch, and so on. Before I head out, I leave her with toys, treats, a Kong, wooden chews and such. I still take her for walks exactly as I did before and, obviously, when we’re home she’s in the house with us, and she still sleeps indoors at night. (post too long)
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