How old should a dog be before you start leaving him outside of a length for time?

Question

we have a puppy that is about 3 months old and my husband wants to start leavng her outuside while we are at work is this a good ideal or shouldn't she be aleast 6-8 months old

Answer 1

That's the equivalent of a latchkey baby...

You need a petsitter to take care of this dog while you are at work - for a visit or two in the middle of the day, 10 and 2 approximately, until she is 6 months old or so - and then have them come once, and put her outside when they leave.

  It's so sad to see dogs that are just left outside - a lot can happen to a puppy that age, and to have no one around makes for a poorly socialized and very lonely animal.

You would be better off later adopting a young adult dog to keep her company out there - or continuing with the petsitter once a day, so she has something to do.  Dogs need and deserve to have a life, and that is possible if you provide it - it really doesn't take much, and they will far happier and healthier for it.

  Ask your veterinarian for a referral to an experienced professional petsitter, and your dog will be much better off.

Answer 2

she should be able to when she is 6 months

Answer 3

So long as you've had the appropriate vaccinations, there's no reason why you shouldn't try. I'd be inclined to get some advice from a dog trainer first, at 3 months she might be still too young until she's had more training in general. Having said that, my friends with farm dogs never had any probs, I guess it depends on the environment where the dog is to be left and whether or not she'll have any company.

PS I wouldn't do it myself - my dog is indoors when I'm out coz he guards the apartment, it's his job :)

Answer 4

at least 6 month you can leave out side with a leach

Answer 5

I have a 4 month old puppy and he stays outside while I am at work. He is outside from about 6 am until 930 pm when he comes in for bed and sleeps in his cage. He is only alone outside though until about 430 when I get home, then my roommates other dogs join him for a while and play as she has raised them to be indoor dogs, he doesn't come in for long amounts of time anymore because he is SO hyperactive and potties everywhere so I make sure to go out there at least once and every hour and a half and he seems to love it out there. just make sure you have plenty of toys and water set out for him. Since he is still teething, not having enough toys led him to chew on my wood porch steps or anything else he could find including a tiki torch holder (little devil) and you might have some problems with him tearing the bark of the trees since they love textured items that they can destroy. also digging holes, i have three now in my backyard but they are easily fillable and you can also break your dog of chewing on things you don't want him to by spraying them with a sour apple spray you can get at the petstore.

I almost forgot! when he was about 3 months old is when I actually started leaving him outside and for about the first week and a half i drove home on lunch to check on him only to see that he was absolutely fine.

P.S. we have a huge backyard that is privacy fenced in, with an alarm system, no one's gettin it and he's not getting out, he has lots of room to run and have fun. I've never had an indoor dog or caged a dog in my entire life and refuse to start now. for anyone who thinks an animal should be confined to a space it can only stand up and turn around comfortably in... why don't you try it for 7-10 hours a day?

Answer 6

I'm guessing you tie it to something? If it isn't in a confined area with protective walls, it is at risk of other animals attacking it. Meaning it can't run away if the attacker is to much.

Answer 7

We had no choice with my pup. After I went back to school I would be gone for 8 hours. My sister would be home at time during the day so I made her check on her and play with her for a little while when I was gone. Maybe come back and check on her during the day when you are at work, because if you have no choice, you have no choice.

Answer 8

Why in the world are you planning to leave the dog outside when you aren't home?  

It is dangerous for the dog: there are wackos out there that may poison,  tease your dog, or even steal her.  

Weather could come in, and the dog would prefer to be in the safety of your home.  

Also, it leaves your home unprotected: a barking dog can stop an intruder.  

Please reconsider putting your pup in harms way.