Outside dog?

[Ben McBrizzle]

My almost 10 month Mastiff seems like he needs more space or maybe we do. Do they do well as an outside dog with a doghouse?

 

[moose]

My parents have two outdoor EMs. A lot of people are against mastiffs outside because these dogs need to be around there family. A lot of times people put them outside and they forget about them. If you think you can give them the same attention outside that you did inside, which is very hard, then you could. Also depending on the pup, it might be harder because its already been an inside dog, than if you raised it an outside dog. You also have to be very aware of the temp, here in florida its gets very hot in the summer so we have air conditioning set up for the dogs. What is making you consider outside full time?

 

[Mongo]

seems like he needs more space or maybe we do.

What do you mean?

I live in a small townhouse with Mongo and now live in an apt with Zuko. They get plenty of play time or exercise outside... wrestling isnt allowed in the house so they seem content and happy in a small space with their humans.

 

[mia]

My EM is inside, and on nice days the door is open, she tends to stay in by choice. I have lived in small spaces with large dogs and I think the key is exercise and attention. My dogs simply feel the back yard is a toilet and sunbathing spot.

 

[Ripsmom]

I don't like the idea of keeping any dog outdoors...mostly for socialization, weather conditions and exercise issues...in my experience very few people do it adequately and it can turn out to be more work than keeping a house dog. He's a pup now but as adults these dogs don't require a lot of space since they aren't a real active breed. when the weather is nice it's good to let the dog spend some time outdoors but I don't think it's a great situation to have them live out there

 

[BradA1878]

I don't like the idea of keeping any dog outdoors...mostly for socialization, weather conditions and exercise issues...

Any dog???

We keep our working LGD outside 24/7/365...

Well, we kennel them in the barn when we have guests over, but otherwise they are outside rain or shine. We take them out for socialization and training still, and they get walked like all the others, but they are outside dogs with jobs. They seem to do fine with it.

They couldn't do their job sitting inside on our couch.

 

[Ben McBrizzle]

Well, my wife doesn't want him on the couch, and the kids don't want him in their rooms so now he's either in the family room or back in his "space". I just thought he would like to be outside where he can walk around, but I noticed this past week that he's been trying to escape the backyard this week digging and breaking the fence. It just seems to me that he would want to be out there and have more space but he doesn't chew anything in the house when I leave him...except my wife's shoes she had only worn once which probably landed him outside. He just seems to be a hyper dog but maybe it's because he's still so young. At what age do they slow down? Also, his gas is gonna get him thrown out by my wife and the girls. I'm one man with 4 ladies and it seems the dog is getting lost in the shuffle.

 

[sunbear]

Our Ems are now 10 months old and still all puppy. To help with gas, raise the food dish. We use a "bed tray". My brother is my breeder and hss have a bench. Food dishes on the floor cause excess gas in the digestive tract, thus, "vapors" occur.

Having two pups, they want to wrestle, play, push, etc. We allow controlled play inside. Nothing strong or rough. We do place them outside in a kennel. They have a small space of covered an 8' x10' space with the gate opened. They also have another 10' x12' deck they have to lay on in the sun, play, etc. As stated before, they do not need a lot room. We have now started into the "lazy" phase. they love to just lay around and look cute. The outside kennel helps when they are restless or just want to sleep. They are always inside at night, bad weather, etc. We control their area with baby gates. This keeps them away from the cats. They like 2 of them and 1 teases them so they do not like him as much. this way they have a space and we can move around without getting slobber on our clothes.

As far as escaping, EMs want to be with the family most of the time. The pup will chew, dig, etc. when bored or trying to be with you. Make sure you place him outside for short periods and give him something else to chew on. My bro's male will always escape (opens the gate) from the backyard when the kids are in the yards or they are working in the corals, pastures, etc. He wants to be with them. His female will whine, but not open the gate. So far, when we are working in the corals and pastures we have ours on horse leads. Best leads we have ever tried. Not too long, strong and 1/3 of the cost of the same lead with a dog label on it. We are still working on them knowing what is their domain and to not leave the yards.

 

[Mongo]

Any dog???

We keep our working LGD outside 24/7/365...

I find most people arent talking about working dogs with they say something like this. A working dog has a job and most would rather be outside than inside. Thats completely different for a dog stuck in a backyard with nothing to do, all alone.

---------- Post added at 10:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:03 AM ----------

When you got this dog, was the whole family on board? Is there a reason the kids dont want him in there room? (playing to rough or just knocking their toys over?) What kind of food are you feeding him? His food could be the colperate to his bad gas. What kind of exercise are you giving him?

Sounds like this dog is going to have a very sad life in the backyard since the family doesnt even want him...

 

[Mongo]

When you got this dog, was the whole family on board? Is there a reason the kids dont want him in there room? (playing to rough or just knocking their toys over?) What kind of food are you feeding him? His food could be the colperate to his bad gas. What kind of exercise are you giving him?

Sounds like this dog is going to have a very sad life in the backyard since the family doesnt even want him...

 

[Tibleti]

Have to agree with Mongo. And my apologies, but anything that your wife doesn't want chewed should be put away, not left out where a puppy, regardless of breed, can get to it. Bedroom doors close if the kids don't like the puppy in their rooms (it's what our kids do and they really like our EM pup). Now,we haven't had any gas issues since we switched our pup over to Diamond Large Breed Lamb and Rice, but each dog is different.

 

[TxHorseMom]

I don't believe in outside dogs either. (other than working dogs, that's totally different) I guess I should say I don't believe in outside PETS, because then they aren't really pets. How would you like it if you were put outside by yourself with nothing to do. Not so much fun. He needs to be crate trained, the family needs to be trained to put up anything a puppy could chew, which is just about anything, and he should be watched better. EM are puppies until they are about 3 y/o. He needs lots of exercise. Walks, playing fetch, swimming if possible, obedience training. You will then have a content, worn out puppy who will mostly sleep when he's inside after all that.

 

[northernmastiff]

I would try to find a happy medium for your dog and train him to stay out of places. There are some breeds that thrive as outdoor dogs (see Siberian Huskies) but many prefer to be with their owners. If your family is having issues with the dog, sit down and talk to them about finding a good forever home for him. It is better for him and you if the plan is to keep him outside. Generally, dogs that are primarily left outside suffer from severe socialization problems, in addition, they suffer from aggression problems. I had to rehabilitate two dogs who spent a good amount of their life outside and trust me, it wasn't easy. They were distrustful and it took a long time for them to relax in the house. In addition, we really had to solve aggression and territory problems that were really bad. The one crashed through a window as I was coming in the house because she was so used to protecting a fenced yard. Thankfully, neither of us was hurt when she (a 7 year old American Staffie) did it. Working dogs can thrive outside but they get a lot of interaction through training that an outdoor pet doesn't get. If you do opt to keep him outside, you really need to fix up your yard to suit his needs. Plenty of shade, access to clean water, a comfortable place to sleep, things to play with, hazards out of the way, protection from the elements, etc. Then you will need to shift your schedule even more to make sure that he is getting plenty of exercise and socialization.

As you can tell, I am not big on keeping an outdoor dog and I have found that to do so properly, it can be even more commanding, especially the socialization. If you can, train the dog not to go into bedrooms and to stay in certain areas of the house. My lab has been trained to stay out of the bedrooms due to allergies (my husband has them but he will suffer through for his dog). He can be anywhere else in the house, but going into the rooms is a no and he usually just avoids going upstairs, although he is allowed in the hall. Same with furniture. He knows they are off limits unless he is invited (which makes it easier when we have guests over). It all comes down to training. Dog's learn what they can chew, and what they can't chew with training. The kids soccer balls, hockey balls and tennis balls are off limits but he is allowed to chase the basket ball and he will play the ref for (floor) hockey, bringing the ball to face off to drop it, but only when he is asked. It takes a lot of time and dedication with training but if you put that in, no one in the family will complain and they will be more than happy to have him inside.

I think if you decide to keep him that you just put in the training period. Putting him outside seems like a quick fix but it will only lead to long term problems in the end.

 

[Ben McBrizzle]

Well, I'm thinking about giving him a job as the guard outside during the day where he can watch the front ann rear of the house with a long dog run on the side of the house. We'll see. We're keeping him for now. I like him, don't see him maybe like the typical dog-lover, but more as an owner of a cool organic piece of property. He just seems like he needs something to do. I guess more training is in order...I'll try to find some techniques online.

 

[TxHorseMom]

Exactly what do you mean by "giving him a job guarding the outside"? What exactly will his "job" be? What will he be guarding? A LSG is totally different than just putting him outside and expecting him to "guard" the area. I'm sorry, but what I am reading (and I could be wrong, please educate me) is that you plan on sticking him outside during the day so he doesn't "bother" your family. If you do that you are asking for more problems than you are already having. It sounds to me like you need to seriously need to think about rehoming him before it is too late, if you don't want to put the work into him.

 

[Cody]

So you are building a dog run along the side of the house for him to live in?
What, may I ask, is the reason you got a dog, let alone a mastiff to begin with? Besides being cool? I am sorry but I found your comment;
"I like him, don't see him maybe like the typical dog-lover, but more as an owner of a cool organic piece of property."
quite disturbing.
You "like" him?
That is a sad life. These dogs are NOT status symbols. They are a WORKING breed, who require HUGE amounts of training, socialization, dedication and patience. They are a type of dog who live to please their masters and want nothing more then to be with their family. To lock one in a dog run as they bother your family, or you can't be bothered to do the work involved with having the breed, is paramount to you being locked under the stairs as your parents couldn't be bothered.
They may look "cool", but this piece of organic property COULD kill someone unless properly raised, loved and socialized.
If you don't have the time or desire to properly raise a breed such as this then consider finding a home that will.
BTW have you ever had a large or working breed before?

 

[northernmastiff]

Sorry, I don't mean to be combative or anything but if you are keeping him simply for the "cool" factor, then you should find a new home for him. Also, I hope that you don't feel his training was done at 10 months. No dog is properly trained by 10 months and there is still a lot of work to do. In addition, training should be a lifelong experience. My dog was actively trained until he was over 5 and even now, at 8, we still run him through regular training to prevent any commands from being broken. It also gives him something to do so he doesn't get bored and it tires him out (he is still a very hyper dog). Instead of focusing on keeping him outside, focus on the training and give him plenty of exercise. If you do this, he will be an ideal indoor pet and he won't have to live his life outside. Trust me, a well trained dog has more cool factor than a big dog so imagine how much cool factor a well trained big dog would have.

I also completely agree with Cody, your statement about him being a "cool organic piece of property" was disturbing and you really are setting the dog up for a very sad life and could potentially cause him to be so aggressive that he hurts someone, including your kids.

 

[Mongo]

I think it would be best for both the puppy and your family if you found him a new home. One where they will love and cherish him for the big goofy puppy he is. And just my thoughts, you shouldnt own another dog. Especially a giant breed.

You sound like such a careless person.

 

[blu3br1ndle]

:nono: You shouln't own a dog because you think its cool. A large and powerful breed such as an EM should be raised and looked after properly. If you and your family don't love your dog rehome it please.

 

[Lplnktt]

I don,'t want to sound condecending but it does seem to be what you wrote. No one wants the dog in your family. You have no time for him and it would better for you to talk with your breeder and rehome him. The pup needs a loving family that does not mind him in the home. When you were researching this breed the purpose was to guard the family. I believe this dog is meant to be"with" the family inside and out. My two are my shadows and have my back. I live in the country and even though I have plenty of room for them to exercise they are my constant companions. I hope you and your breeder can find a solution. Not every family has the time for a pet.