Can dogs stay outside in a kennel? The Ultimate Guide

Signs a Dog Living in an Outdoor Kennel Will Show

In order to provide the best possible living conditions to your dog, you need to take your dog’s breed into account. Some breeds are best suited for indoors while some are amenable to outdoor environments. Even if they are of mixed breed, oftentimes, you can tell what particular breeds might be hiding in your mix.

If you wish to determine whether your dog is actually happy and content in their outside kennel, look for the following signs:

Tail wagging – a wagging tail is the surest sign of a happy dog, so pay close attention to how your dog is behaving inside the kennel.

Jumping up – your dog will easily engage in playing and walks, and often jump around and run if they are happy. This jumping is often referred to as dancing.

Head tilting – another sign of a content and happy dog is the playfully tilting of their head while having a relaxed mouth and ears.

Neutral ear pose – when your dog is content and happy, their ears will be in their default “at ease” pose.

If your dog is stressed out about their outside kennel, you will notice them showing the following signs:

Barking – your dog wants you to know that something is not right and that they feel threatened, alone, or stressed because they are outside all the time.

Whining – another sign of a stressed dog; often in combination with cowering, lack of appetite, reluctance to engage in playtime, or interaction with you or others.

Growling – the dog might become aggressive if under a lot of stress because they are in the outside kennel.

Chewing – your dog might start chewing on various items found in the kennel, or even try to break free. This is very dangerous as they might hurt themselves, or develop behaviors like pika, where they eat certain things that aren’t food.

Its not just about genetics! It also comes down to the temperament of your dog as well, so consider this when deciding if an outdoor kennel is a viable option.

Signs your dog may show that they are not enjoying their outdoor kennel include:

Other signs to watch for that show things arent going well are:

If you’re keeping a dog outside

A dogs physical, social and behavioural needs are very complex, and meeting these needs can be very hard, if not impossible, for dogs living outside.

We understand that often, owners consider keeping their dogs outdoors because of behavioural problems that may seemingly prevent them from staying indoors. For example, a dog may be destructive or difficult to toilet-train. In such cases, you should talk to your vet to rule out any potential health issues. They may refer your dog to a behavioural expert.

We suggest considering these options first to resolve any issues you may be having with your dog. However, if you do choose to keep a dog outside, always take sensible safety precautions, and be alert to risks that may affect your dog outside.

Here are some things you need to consider:

A suitable outdoor dog kennel – this should be large enough to allow separate sleeping and activity areas. Its very important that your dog can comfortably walk, run and wag their tail within the walls of their kennel, and can play, stand on their hind legs, stretch and lie down without touching another animal or kennel.

Shelter and protection from rain, wind and sunlight – dogs should always be able to move where they feel more comfortable, away from direct sunlight and into the shade. Dog crates are never a suitable permanent environment for your pet.

Temperature and ventilation – heating and/or automatic cooling and ventilation may also be necessary to keep temperatures above 10°C and below 26°C. Heating or cooling systems need to be safe – no trailing cables, for example. We also advise monitoring the temperature daily.

Tethering or restraining dogs – we believe that dogs should not be tethered or chained, except for very short periods, as restraining a dog in this way can lead to injuries and also restrict normal behaviour, which can be very damaging to the dogs wellbeing.

Health and wellbeing needs – provide constant access to clean drinking water and a well-balanced diet. Use a sturdy water bowl and check regularly for refills. We also advise that you check your dog daily for any signs of injury or illness.

Social needs – always make sure your dog is able to behave normally and is provided with the opportunity for daily exercise, play and interaction with animals and people. Making sure your dog has appropriate company is an important consideration for outdoor dogs.

Dont let your dog become lonely or bored, and never leave them alone long enough to become distressed. Signs of a distressed dog included barking, howling or whining excessively, as well as panting, hiding and/or showing aggression.

What are the laws about leaving my dog outside?

Laws are different depending on your location. If you are wondering what your local and state laws are, you should ask a figure of authority. An internet search will also provide you with literature citing animal abuse and prevention laws in your locality. For example, Minnesota law requires you to provide shelter for your dog against the severe weather elements. Your garage or home will serve as a shelter. Shelters are different structures that protect your dog from the detrimental health effects caused by severe temperatures.

Outdoor Kennels

You can keep a dog in a kennel outside for an extended period of time if you have considered and addressed all the factors that will influence your dog’s safety. You should consider possible dangers including chemicals, attack by other animals, weather conditions, and access to poisonous plants. If you seclude and isolate your dog, they may become bored, lonely, and more aggressive without human interaction.

The rest of the article will detail appropriate conditions, the risks associated, and the potential dangers of leaving your dog in a kennel as well as solutions to the potential obstacles.