Third Night with Duke Doggy Inside
By Kareng
@kareng (64708)
United States
January 8, 2025 5:15pm CST
Every year when the temperatures drop below freezing my German Shepard is brought inside. And every year it is like starting over with him learning how to behave inside and settling down. I have to say last night, the third night in a row here, that he acted like a well trained and good dog.
The night before last, he did not want to stay inside. He kept going to the back door and wanting out. We do have his "Hilton Hotel" kennel on the back porch and that is fine and dandy for temperatures in the low 30's, but not 20's and in the teens with the wind chill factor.
Last night he was content to lay on the bed, play with his new toy that Santa brought him, to watch a little television and to just enjoy scratches and being loved on. When he got hot, he moved to the floor and layed beside our bed.
It was nice to get a little sleep and not constantly in and out of bed to see where we went in the house, to see what he was going or in to, etc.
I am hoping that tonight will be another perfect night with his behavior. The only thing that was different is that I told my hubby he can't fuss at him. This is all outside of what he is used to and he isn't at fault for that. It seems to have made a big difference, or else he just decided to give in. Ha!
Anyone have problems with bringing outside dogs inside during cold weather? Any tips?
Photo Credit: Picabay, Public Domain
16 people like this
17 responses
@kareng (64708)
• United States
10 Jan
@rakski He is in the Hilton Hotel right now. It's only getting down to 37 F tonight and I put him in the kennel because rain is moving in and expected all day tomorrow. This morning he did not want to go back outside!! It was pretty funny. And also nice to get a good night's sleep.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51895)
• Canada
9 Jan
The last dog that we had was small for her bred and she was always cold, so she slept under the blankets in our bed down near our feet.
Our son's dog minds the warmth, and will opt for lying outside of our bedroom, and we have to keep the door open, and usually in the middle of the night we hear her get up and go to the front hall and lie on the tile floor as she must feel warm at that time of the night.
Dogs are funny.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (109922)
• Marion, Ohio
8 Jan
I never brought my outside dogs in so no ideas. I always just tried to give them extra bedding and made sure they had a solid shelter. If Patch border collie was outside full time in the fall she would be fine when winter got here. The dobermans can't take this cold to well as they don't have an insulating undercoat. So they are house dogs in this area.
2 people like this
@kareng (64708)
• United States
10 Jan
@wolfgirl569 We were talking about that the other night. We may get another big kennel next year to put inside. He has been an angel the last 2 nights and hasn't been a problem. We may have to just bring him inside periodically all year round to keep him used to it.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (109922)
• Marion, Ohio
9 Jan
@kareng I understand needing sleep. How would he do in a large dog crate. That could help
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (105424)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
8 Jan
I have no problems having dogs inside of the home since the local reporters in Lake Charles go on record when the temperature reaches freezing, get the pets inside of the home and take care of the plants and pipes.
2 people like this
@luisadannointed (6858)
• Philippines
10 Jan
I never had a dog so I can't give advices, but I think your dog is good and well-trained since he behave and listen tou you, but i guess just like kids they sometimes don't understand why they need to be in the house when its time to be in the house. 
be patience i guess that's the only thing i can say.
be patience i guess that's the only thing i can say.1 person likes this
@kareng (64708)
• United States
10 Jan
Right, they sense things too. I imagine just like a little kid, their feelings get hurt too. Another change I made was asking hubby not to talk to loud. He complains when he gets stepped on in bed, etc. I think that also helped to calm him down.
1 person likes this
@kareng (64708)
• United States
10 Jan
@luisadannointed That is just a stock photo of the kind of dog I have. He looks like the one in the photo but a bit fluffier. And he's my baby!
@luisadannointed (6858)
• Philippines
10 Jan
@kareng your dog really looks like a baby.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (81709)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Jan
Glad Duke is OK, I feel sorry for the animals who have not homes,
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (183931)
• United States
11 Jan
Our dogs were always inside dogs. I'm so glad you brought Duke doggy inside. It's much too cold out there. Have a good weekend.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (95214)
• United States
9 Jan
I’m thankful you aren’t one of those cruel people who leave their dogs outside even in frigid temperatures. You’re far too kind for that.
All my dogs have been indoor dogs so I don’t have any tips; I’m sorry. But I think getting your husband not to fuss at him was a positive step. He’s having to adjust, which is tough for the big sweetie.
1 person likes this
@kareng (64708)
• United States
10 Jan
I could never do that!! I also think that helped a good bit. I also asked him to let me bring the dog inside and lay in there with him for awhile before he comes to bed to allow him to calm down. That didn't work a whole lot as he had to go through the routine of getting attention and loving from my husband when he did come to bed. But I think the softening effort in voice did help a lot.
1 person likes this
