Outside dog, cold weather help.

[LuckyandDuke]

I have a bird dog that I rescued over a year ago. She has a real slick coat. Cold never seemed to bother her before and she loves to run through the water. She has a dog house that has straw and an old blanket in it and she won't stay in it. She stays on the porch or under it... I have noticed that she is starting to shiver. What should I do for her?

This is Lucky. I don't want her to get sick or anything. I don't know how to make her stay in her dog house. I think she is afraid we will put her on a chain or something. She is a naturally hyper/nervous dog. She is my son's playmate and part of the family. I am at a loss here. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank You!

[Dax]

If sh prefers under the porch, put the bedding and straw there. All she really needs is a place out of the wind that her body heat can warm up.

Anything under -20oC is time for even outdoor dogs to stay inside at least overnight. IMO.

You can increase the amount of fat and calories in the winter as they will use more staying warm. Make sure she has lots of water (not snow) to drink.

[leann2078]

how old is she? because for my older dogs i would put a blanket under the straw to also help

[LuckyandDuke]

They always have water, I have an electric bucket on the porch so the water doesn't freeze. She eats alot but she is a very active dog and I think she runs it off. She is naturally skinny I promise. My rottie mix eats the same amount and is twice her size. Thanks.

[LuckyandDuke]

She is around 2yrs. She was a puppy when we got her. We got both our dogs from the shelter as puppies.

[leann2078]

staw is WONDERFULfor outside doggies keeps them nice and toasty warm i know you say she likes it under the porch perhaps put a dog house right next to the porch with straw give her couple choices in a dog house the body heat surrounds them and keeps them warm on the porch she is out of the wind andelements but doggie house would perhaps be a bit warmer...now she may not use it but if she realizes she's warmer in her house but still has her comfy spot under the porch she may use both i had a dog that had an ENITIRE shed with a queen size matress and a dog house that he alternated if he didn't have both he'd lay out on the snow and shiver VERY strange dog lol

[dogcraz_ee]

Go buy her a blanket sweater type to wear also. They are not that much and will keep her belly and back warm some. Like said, lay an old blanket down with lots of straw, straw is great bedding and hope she stays under the porch away from wind etc.

[LuckyandDuke]

She has access to straw and blankets in her dog house but won't go in it...LOL I will put some straw under the porch for her. That seems to be her spot. I feed them on the porch so I guess she just feels closer to home on/under the porch. Thanks for the information everyone.

Wouldn't a sweater make her colder if it got wet. She is an outside dog and plays in puddles and snow. I would think having wet clothes on would be as bad for her as it would for a human. I always thought the dog clothes were for tiny house dogs.

[Dax]

Cloths are not meant to be left on. That could cause all sorts of problems I would think. Are the two dogs outside together? Do they sleep together?

[Bosley Slave]

I'm glad you noticed Lucky shivering, I worry about outside dogs. Is there any room for the dog house under the porch? If so why don't you try both the dog house and a nice straw bed under the porch to give her a choice. I take it that it is not possible to have her in the house or a dog door into the garage?

I don't know what you are feeding the the nutritional values, but maybe you could augment her diet with a premium food for the cold winter months. Is she on a monthly worming plan? I'm not saying this because I don't think you are feeding her well or taking care of her, but she could use a few more pounds, especially being an outdoor dog. That being said I know that some dogs have a very high metabolism and it is difficult to get them to gain. But I would give it a two fold approach, increase her calorie intake with quality food and move her beds to under to porch and see how that works.

Good Luck.