how cold should it be before....

[prestonjes]

I have a 6 month old yellow lab. How cold should it be before I put straw in his doghouse to keep warm. 30 degrees? lower?

[bernicesmama]

I would say now, it sure can't hurt can it? How cold does it get where you live? You don't want you dog out in extreme cold no matter what.

[doglovin]

So your keeping him outside in his dog house through the winter???

[rutylr]

Why can't he be in the house?
Donna

[prestonjes]

Just during the day while I work. live in MD

[kimberly]

Where in MD do you live? I also have Labs. I have had straw in thier houses since Oct. with a blanket over top. I don't go out much but when I do the puppies stay in kennel. I used to have a heated dog house also! Kimberly

[Dobified]

I would put straw in and around now with a blanket for warmth as well. Make sure there is something in front of the door to block any wind.


Personally I would never leave a dog outside in the winter unless it was a husky, an akita, a malamute or one of the breeds that is designed to be outside in the cold. A lab in my opinion is not.

Lots of people do leave labs outside so my advice would be to make sure the house is insulated and there is lots of straw and blankets for warmth.

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

Labs are so trainable. Is there a reason your dog can't be in the house when you're at work and get someone to let it out during the day to potty? Labs just don't have the long, insulating hair like Huskies to protect them.

[kimberly]

My words exactley! Harley may like to go into the creeks an pond when it's cold but he also can't wait to come in an get dried off then he gets on his couch with a blanket on him! (heated from the drier of course) Kimberly

[adoring_paws]

I would go ahead and do it now, and like Dobified said put a blanket over too. My dogs looove the cold durning the day..but at night..i can barley get TIllie to get out of the house to go pee!!