Advice On Staffy Pup Sleeping Arrangements

[rizzo_03]

Hi all,

This is my first post here, but have been reading for a while :)

We have an 11 week old stuffy puppy and he is free to come in and out of the house as he pleases. He has a little kennel outside the door with a lot of comfy bedding and blankets in there and a cosy soft bed inside. He loves both and uses both (although in the evening when I'm watching tellie, he sleeps in my arms like a baby :) )

Anyway, my problem is his sleeping place at night. The only place he'll sleep when we are all sleeping, without whining is outside, which was fine while it was warm, but the nights are starting to get chilly and especially those early hours in the morning. I've tried him in the laundry and bought his kennel in, but he will whine non stop. I've tried him with both his kennel and his inside bed next to my bed, but he whines non stop and I can't leave him in his bed in the lounge room as he just gets up and follows me. As soon as I put him outside, he curls up in his kennel and goes to sleep.

I'm just concerned about him being cold and especially as winter kicks in and all I've read about staffy's not doing well with cold weather. Is there anyway I can help him with sleeping inside? Should I try getting a separate bed for my room and teaching him that's his nighttime bed or do I just get him a nice thick coat to wear outside?

Thanks

[Sandra777]

Personally I don't see anything wrong with him sleeping outside if that's where he's happiest - mine aren't but that's not your problem :laugh:

If he has a warm draft-free kennel which isn't too much bigger than he is (so he doesn't have a huge area to heat with his own body heat) then he'll be fine. A coat would be great, except don't be surprised if he decides to eat it.

Whatever suits you and your dog is best for your dog so don't stress too much. You may well find that when it gets really cold he will discover that inside is better - so supply him with an inside bed and encourage him to use it during the evening (when he's not having cuddles!) so he knows it is his.

[Pretty Miss Emma]

I figure if he wants to sleep outside then let him sleep outside! There are plenty of people who would be jealous that you have a dog willing to do this!! Just make sure he has lots of things that he can get warmth from if he wants it, and as Sandra777 said chances are once it's REALLY cold he might change his mind!

[rizzo_03]

yeah cool, thanks for the replies. Just after all the reading I did on staffy's and them not liking the cold, I was worried about him, but like you both said, if he's cold enough, I'm sure he'll want to come in and sleep!

[RiverStar-Aura]

My dogs live outside and are only allowed inside on very rare occasions. If you're worried about your pup being cold, just put lots of fluffy blankets in his bed and you'll find he's quite adept at making himself a warm nest to curl up in.

I spoil my two with wool and mink blankets and if they get too hot, they kick the blankets out. Mostly though they both make perfect circular trenches in the blankets and curl up. Dogs are smart this way.

As long as he's sheltered from breezes and rain, your boy will be fine outside.

Personally I'm not sure why there's so much worry these days about a dog sleeping outside.

[Clyde]

You certainly have a rare SBT! If he's not a mad chewer you could always get him a heated bed when the winter hits. Good luck! :)

[rizzo_03]

Oh don't get me wrong, he loves coming inside and loves being asleep either on my lap or in his bed at my feet. As soon as I move he follows. This is why I feel so awful having him outside as I know he loves being inside, but at night when everyone is asleep its the only place hell sleep without whining.

I'm sure he'd more than happy to sleep all night in our bed though but with three kids that regularly come in our bed, there already isn't enough room :)

[WeimMe]

Maybe you could start getting him used to wearing a coat for when the cold really kicks in.

As long as he has somewhere out of the wind to sleep and lots of comfy bedding etc I'm sure he'll be fine.

BTW...are you sure he isn't whining while he's out there and that you just can't hear him indoors? You could always consider crate training him so he can be inside at night when the weather isn't good if you are worried - although it does mean a few whiney nights!

[rizzo_03]

Good idea, will look at getting him a jumper now to get use to.

I know he's not outside whining as the kennel is right outside the door and also my ensuite and I can hear everything! Especially when he decides it's play time at midnight and starts dragging things around :) if he was outside whimpering I would bring him in in a heartbeat.