Whether you have an outdoor or indoor dog, one thing is for sure. For him, the outside world is full of thrills, mysteries worth exploring.
The smells of the environment, gettjohnny manziel jersey penn state jersey sac eastpak yeezy boost 350 v2 hyperspace custom nfl football jerseys borsa prima classe asu football jersey dallas cowboys slippers mens deuce vaughn jersey custom nfl football jerseys air max 270 women black friday wig sale best human hair wigs for black females jordan max aura 4 decathlon bmx ing to know other dogs, hunting small animals, and playing. These are huge motivating forces. Probably your dog is obsessed with going outside too.
But what if a dog suddenly doesn’t want to come inside? What if he wants to sleep outside at night? Why can this happen? What to do then? What about winter or cold weather? Can there be dangers if a dog wants to stay outside in cold?
In this article, I am looking for answers to these questions. If you’re clueless, don’t worry, you’re in the right place. I will help you make your dog comfortable sleeping outside.
Reasons your dog wants to sleep outside at night
Dogs are quite reliable in terms of habits. It’s no different with sleeping habits either. While your dog may occasionally alternate resting places, you may be able to discover his favorite spots.
Believe me; an indoor dog will not just be an outdoor dog. There is always a compelling reason for this kind of behavior change. I will detail these reasons below.
Age
Don’t be surprised at all if your old dog wants to sleep outside at night. Senior canines are more likely to sleep outdoors. In many cases, they are less social, so they crave a little solitude outdoors.
Of course, you can try to create a comfortable, safe, and separate place. However, if your old dog keeps wanting to go outside, let him sleep where he wants.
Protection
Sometimes your dog really wants to protect you. And, of course, this can be done better than inside. If this is the case, don’t stop it. Let him sleep outside for an evening.
Anxiety and depression
Dogs can also experience various mental health problems, such as anxiety. There can be many reasons for this. It can come from trauma or poor socialization, for example. It is also possible that your dog is afraid of something and wants to sleep outside because of it.
Environmental changes such as moving to a new house can easily make dogs depressed. For example, the loss of a family member can have the same effect.
Depression and anxiety have many symptoms such as isolation, increased sleep, decreased social interactions, tremors, incontinence, etc. But that includes various eating disorders and behavioral changes like your dog wanting to sleep outside.
If your dog wants to sleep outside with these symptoms, don’t stop him. However, be sure to see your veterinarian.
A new dog next door
If your neighbor buys a new dog, chances are your four-legged friend won’t want to sleep inside. There can be several reasons for this. If they are of the same sex, there is a high chance of rivalry. If the dogs are of the opposite sex, they will almost certainly want to get each other’s attention sooner or later.
Individual preference
Sometimes your dog simply wants to sleep outside for no reason. In such cases, chances are it will only be a one-time event, so you don’t necessarily have to deal with it.
Dog breeds that love to sleep outside the most
There are dog breeds that tend to stay outside, even if they have been raised to be indoor dogs. These are the following:
- Australian Shepherd
- Labrador Retriever
- Australian Cattle Dog
- German Shepherd
- Siberian Husky
You’ve probably noticed that all of the dogs mentioned above are large breeds. In addition to these, three other small dog breeds also feel great outside.
- Norwegian Elkhound
- Tibetan Terrier
- Welsh Terrier
Can you do something about your dog wanting to sleep outside?
The truth is, it’s not really advisable to force anything. If your dog keeps wanting to go outside at night, I suggest you let him. However, there are a few tips that can help in some cases. These are the following:
Vet check
If your dog wants to avoid being indoors due to some mental or physical illness, that’s a serious problem. In such cases, you should seek the help of your veterinarian.
Based on the information you provide and the various test results, an accurate diagnosis can be made. This will make treatment easier in the future.
Comfort
If your dog prefers to sleep outside due to some disturbing circumstance, consider a solution. Reduce or eliminate annoying noises and other situations that may disturb your dog’s peace of mind.
Balance
Give your dog enough physical and mental stimulation outdoors. It can be some sport, training session, or playtime. This can help for two reasons.
On the one hand, it will increase the bond between the two of you, and your dog will want to sleep better with you. On the other hand, your pooch will not feel the need to be outside at night if you spend enough time with him in the fresh air during the day.
What about winter?
As you may have read, overall, it’s not a big deal if your dog wants to spend the night outside. However, the situation is quite different when it is autumn or winter. This is because, in many cases, special tasks are required. Here are some things to keep in mind if your dog wants to stay outside in the cold:
- Warm and cozy place: In general, a blanket and a bed are enough to provide enough warmth for your dog. If the weather is freezing or your dog’s sleeping area is drafty, consider purchasing a self-warming pet mat or a heated pet bed. However, you should consult your veterinarian about this beforehand.
- Other conditions: The kennel or other sleeping area must be dry, waterproof, and windproof.
- Food: Increase your dog’s caloric intake. With this simple method, you can more easily prepare him for protection against the cold.
- Clothing: There are breeds whose coat provides adequate protection against the cold. But the Greyhounds, or Chivavas, are vulnerable in harsh weather conditions. For them, it’s worth getting a doggie jacket or sweater. Fitting is important for these clothes, so don’t forget to measure your dog properly.
- Water: Hydration is also important in cold weather. But keep in mind that your dog’s drinking water can freeze in the winter. You need to check his bowl regularly.
- Paws: Cold weather can make dogs’ paws more vulnerable. Not to mention the dangerous objects that the snow can hide. Your dog’s paws can easily dry out, crack, or get injured. Check them regularly.
Summary
As you can see, there may be several reasons why your dog wants to sleep outside at night. There is usually no particular problem with this.
However, too cold weather can be dangerous, and you should be prepared for it. I hope this article helped you with that.
I still think you should talk to your veterinarian in such cases.
