My dog stays indoors. Should he be sleeping outdoors in winter to thicken his coat and get him ready for the weather of duck hunting. Thought about moving his kennel to garage where it is not quite as cold but definately colder than indoors.
Should my indoor dog sleep outdoors in winter to thicken his coat for duck hunting?
rbrooks
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
My dog stays indoors. Should he be sleeping outdoors in winter to thicken his coat and get him ready for the weather of duck hunting. Thought about moving his kennel to garage where it is not quite as cold but definately colder than indoors.
Joined
·
1,485 Posts
My dogs have never spent the night out and do fine during hunting season. Use a vess for them
Joined
·
5,248 Posts
The replies to your good question will vary. But I recognize that mammals acclimate and adjust physically to changes in climate. For that reason, and for observations over 5 + decades of hunting, I believe in allowing dogs to spend extended time in the temps they'll likely hunt in, especially in places where the temps get into sub freezing.
I can tell the difference in thickness of my dog's coats when they are acclimated this way. Although many will say things like "my dog is inside year around, and they do fine in cold weather", it's hard to interview them to get their opinion about jumping in ice water after a night in 70 degree homes.
There will be non consensus.
Evan
I can tell the difference in thickness of my dog's coats when they are acclimated this way. Although many will say things like "my dog is inside year around, and they do fine in cold weather", it's hard to interview them to get their opinion about jumping in ice water after a night in 70 degree homes.
There will be non consensus.
Evan
Joined
·
1,060 Posts
There is a big difference in cold in MS and LA than cold in ND or IA!!! Cold in MS is 30 that is warm to us in MO in December!!!
Joined
·
247 Posts
Mine sleep in their kennels in the garage at night yr around. When it starts getting colder like the fall and end of summer I let them play outside more then I do during the summer with the heat. I notice my dogs coats are a lot thicker then my parents labs coat who is inside all the time except for airing and some play time when it's nicer
Where is he during the day? It is all about getting them ready. If they stay outside during the day when no one is home, I would think this would give them enough time to acclimate to the weather they will be hunting in. Do they need to spend all day and night outside? Well, that is up to you.
Joined
·
132 Posts
Not from me, there won't. I agree completely, but my perspective has a different polarity, as it were.
I live on the coastal plain of southeast Texas and primarily hunt the prairies west of Houston. Hence, cold is virtually never a major concern. Early teal season and dove season are September affairs, and September weather here is a seamless continuation of August, meaning hot and humid. So my dogs stay outdoors during the day throughout the summer, except for when the temps get physically dangerous (>~102F). Having pulled dogs back from the edge of heat stroke more than once, I've learned the value of keeping them acclimated. A neoprene vest can help a dog deal with cold, but there's no real equivalent for helping them deal with heat.
Keeping them acclimated pays off. I ran one of my dogs in a late-September Master test this year. It was 51 degrees when I rolled onto the test grounds Saturday morning. When we ran the third series Sunday afternoon, it was 102. She dealt with it just fine.
Joined
·
4,502 Posts
We Are Further North Of You Folks. Cold Winters In Ontario. My Dogs Stay In All Year. I Use A Vest On The Dog If It Is Colder Than Usual. Have Hunted Ducks In December!!
Joined
·
271 Posts
The more outside time they can get; the better it is for their overall health...Labs are like people that way.
My parents' dog and my dog are brother and sister. My parents live in NE Arkansas and their dog stays outside most of the day and sleeps inside at night. There is a definite difference in thickness between her coat and my dog's coat. Same situation, mine is outside all day and inside every night. I am here in SE Texas.
Don't know the science behind it, but hers is thicker most likely due to her being in colder temperatures year round on average. That being said, that doesn't necessarily mean she can handle colder weather better. She tends to start shaking/shivering first when they both play/work in water. (My dog works, while she gets to play!)
Don't know the science behind it, but hers is thicker most likely due to her being in colder temperatures year round on average. That being said, that doesn't necessarily mean she can handle colder weather better. She tends to start shaking/shivering first when they both play/work in water. (My dog works, while she gets to play!)
Joined
·
14,806 Posts
I think if you are walking and training and outside with the dogs in your normal daily routine every day. As the days get colder the dogs acclimate just fine. If you ever, as a kid built snow caves or got your winter camping badge. You know how cozy a den can be. The wolves in the wild are outside all day hunting but snuggle up toasty warm most nights. Just like you and I.
.
.
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
