Too young for the outside world?

[Cora]

Once a dog is done teething is is safe to leave them outside at their will? I wanted to get a doggie door for my pooch and am wondering if it is OK at 6 months. If not when is it OK?

Currently I am single and work full time. I wish I could afford a pet sitter to come everyday and didn't consider these things at first. Right now I don't sleep 7 hours a night because I need to let him out. I know, my fault. I have epilepsy and worry the lack of sleep to let him out will affect me sooner or later and don't know if I can wait until his adulthood.

Bottom line, is it better to crate him while I'm at work in a oversized crate with 2 small areas for sleep and pee or better to give him access to my back hall with food, shelter and water as well as a doggie door to a fenced off yard to keep himself occupied and defecate as needed. My 1/4 acre yard is fenced with a 6 foot fence, he has had all his shots and rabies, is microchipped and has my address and phone on his collar if it matters. When he is outside with me worst he does is eat grass.

Despite my posts of grief at times I love him a lot and want to do what's best for us, thanks!

[AllAmericanPUP]

IMO it'd definately be better to get a doggie door.
If you let him pee/poop in his crate now then he'll never be housetrained and it'll be a big problem later on down the road.

not sure where you back door is but if it's near a room then perhaps block that room off from the rest of the house when you leave, incase of those rainy days, so he doesnt ruin all of your stuff when he gets muddy :lol:

[imported_Kat]

I think that sounds like a great idea. Your yard is fened, but just make sure it is absolutely dog proof from both sides. Also at night at the age of 6 months he should be able to hold his bladder for 7 hours. Try to get him into a proper routine, where you give him a good run before you go to work in the morning followed by his moring feed then when you come home at night, repeat this and take him to pee before bed and he should be ok. Routine helps housetraining as well.

Take it from a fellow person who has just been diagnosed with TC epilepsy, sleep is very important. 3 nights of no sleep with an allergic reaction to one of the meds resulted in me having a series of grand mals. If you get your pup into a good routine, then both you and him will feel a lot better :wink:

[rotten_two]

i would say it depends! 6months is a bit young to be outside by his lonesome. there is a hella lot he can do to get in trouble. do you have plants in the backyard that are posionous to dogs? do you like your landscape as it is? he may dig! what else is out there that he could get into trouble with -- he might eat a rock or mulch.

the other thing i worry is that while a 6 foot fence is fine for containment it doesn't keep all things out. people, squirrels, & other vermin. how are your neighbors about dogs -- he might bark all day. i personally don't feel comfortable letting my dogs out in the yard unsupervised but it's your decision. are you able to come home at lunchtime to let pup stretch and pee? 8 hours is a long time in the crate for any dog! could you baby gate your kitchen (or another room just not the bathroom) to give him a bit more space? freeze some pnut butter kongs and let him work on those for a while.

ok the more i think about it i don't think i would let him outside while you are gone. ultimately up to you tho only you know you're situation. if you did let him have run of the yard i would work up from 5 minutes (you watching from window) gradually to more time.

[Cora]

Hi thanks, I will let you know what my trainer says. Yes I do have a room I can close off and provide a doggie door too. My neighboors say he doesn't bark much when I leave my windows open and I don't think he will outside. And I could care less whether he digs my back yard up. (And my neighboors have fenced yards and know him if he should ever manage to get out). My only concern is he will eat something he shouldn't and I guess in time I will know whether or not he can be trusted. Life is about quality and being inside all day alone has to really suck for him. Once a week my friend takes him but the other 4 days bite. I sometimes feel guilty of my demands on him but I know his life here is better than what he had at the shelter that took ill care of his health.

[Maxiega]

6 months is a bit young in my opinion. They are still puppy stupid and investigating everything. Unfortunately a puppy uses his mouth to investigage. If this is your only option, then check all of your plants, I had one dog that was death on roses. Yes even with the thorns he would chew on my roses. I had to move the rose bushes. Even with all of his training as an adult that brat would eat the rose petels. They won't hurt him, but hubby couldn't bring me flowers unless we put them out of his reach. My bigest concern is rocks, small pebbles will pass, but if he starts chewing on rocks he could destroy his teeth. As hard as it is I would puppy proof a room in my house so he didn't have to be crated all the time at least until he is a little older. Good luck!

Sincerely,