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Does Not Like Indoors

568 views 9 replies 7 participants last post by  Brittany 
#1 ·
Hi:wavey:

Our first post and obviously have a problem. Our 9 year old goldie Max who up until 9 months ago had a partner by the name of Zeus. Max is a timid dog, not like the breed should be.

The problem is that he is not keen about being in doors. During the day he stands at the doorway between the hallway and utility room panting and wanting to go back outside. Of a night time he comes in OK, but whimpers when he is put to bed in the utility room. We have even put a radio and light on for him, but that doesn’t work.

Whilst it’s fine in summer for him to be outside all of the time, with the colder weather now here, we are reluctant to leave him outside for long periods of time.

In addition, he’s not a house dog, he does not like to lay on carpets or bedding. Not that keen on walking through the house as we have a lot ceramic tiled areas so he slips and slides.

Just another point, he does not drink water indoors. So he will puff and pant for a hour or so, we will let him out and he will have a drink as soon as he goes outside.

Appreciate your thoughts on why he does not like being indoors? And why at a night time he whimpers, however I suspect that you might say that he I just missing his partner.

Thank you in anticipation.

Regards

Robert
 
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#2 ·
I would try to find something he really likes--maybe a tennis ball--and make inside fun.

You could also give him a special blanket to lay on--start with it outside and move it inside.

If you want him to like life in the house, I would not put him in the utility room--there is a horror story on this tread about a dog like that--but I won't go into it.

In all honesty-and IMHO--he needs to spend as much time with you as possible.
 
#3 ·
I don't know where you live, but my first golden was outside full time... they do fine out there unless the weather is really extreme. I worry more about the heat in summer with them than the cold... once you start bringing them in, i dont think they develop as much coat in order to protect them so that may be a concern since he has been inside.
we tend to think they must be happier inside, but that is not always the case. My dog divides the time and she goes outside happily.
The biggest danger in being outside is getting ignored. you have to make some effort to make sure you spend time with him.
 
#5 ·
My girls spend more time outside than they do inside...... There choice.... The boys prefer the couch..... I dont leave them outside 24/7
 
#6 ·
I think there are good suggestions here. I would like to suggest that if you haven't done a full blood panel on him in while, that you take him to the vet and have him checked. Our dog would only drink water outside when he was having a thyroid problem. Don't know why, but once on medication it was better. He also wanted to go outside when he didn't feel well -- don't know why on that one either.....
 
#8 ·
Thank you for the replies.

From what you have said so far it seems like he may just prefer it outside. What sort of temperature should you start to worry about it being to cold for him?

PS we are on the south coast of England. Today was max 4 degrees and tonight is already -2 degrees.

Robert
 
#10 ·
Is that temperature in Fehrenheit? My dogs are outside 24/7, and it gets down to -30 Fehrenheit here. They don't have a problem with it, as long as there are out of the wind. Dogs are animals, so it makes sense that the outdoors is more natural for them. I wouldn't worry about your dog getting too cold, they are VERY durable animals, and don't really need as much pampering as we like to give them. :)
 
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