Never leave your dog unattended for long periods of time, this includes overnight. If something happens to your dog such as heatstroke or hypothermia, the longer it goes unattended the worse it will be for him. Always check on him to make sure he has enough water and is not exhibiting any signs of health issues.
While small pups can spend a few hours outdoors in temperatures between 60ºF and 90ºF, keep outings in temperatures below 32ºF and above 90ºF to short spans of no more than 10 to 15 minutes, recommends Dr. Wooten.
We encourage you to contact local law enforcement agencies because pets left outside in extreme temperatures, especially without food or shelter, are at risk of hypothermia, frostbite and even death. Their owners are at risk of facing criminal charges.
With proper access to water and shade, certain dogs are able to stay outdoors for up to 12 hours at a time.
50-60 degrees and higher are safe temperatures for your dog. 85+ degree temperatures are a different beast in itself, but we're just talking about cool to cold temperatures here. 45 degrees or so are generally acceptable, but you'll still want to keep an eye on how your dog is handling itself in these temperatures.
At around 12 – 15 degrees most pets will probably be quite safe. At 10 degrees, you need to keep an eye on them as it can be potentially unsafe depending on their age, general health, and breed.
Many owners worry about their dog getting too cold when sleeping outside. Most dogs can withstand cooler conditions than humans. Dogs use their coat, skin and fat to protect them against the cold. However, dogs are still susceptible to risks associated with cold temperatures.
Dogs are social animals who need plenty of interaction and appropriate shelter. While most dogs enjoy spending time playing outside, no dog should live it's whole life confined outside to the yard.
But leaving a dog in the backyard can lead to a number of bad habits in dogs that might force the owner to want to give the dog away. Endless barking, destructive digging, chewing offurniture, hoses, sprinklers, and shrubs are some possibilities. Some dogs left outside extensively become aggressive or hostile.
As a general rule of thumb, adult dogs can be left alone for up to 6 hours a day. However, the amount of time a dog can spend safely alone will vary from dog to dog, as even the most laid-back dogs may become distressed when you leave them on their own for long periods of time.
"I read somewhere that, not too many years ago, 80 percent of dogs lived outside. Today, 80 percent live inside," said Tom Berger, co-owner of The Pretentious Pooch, a dog boutique in Baltimore.
But there's no need to leave every single light in your home on just for your dog. In fact, darkness at the right time can be good for dogs. According to the Sleep Foundation, dogs, like humans, have circadian rhythms that are influenced by light. It's easier for them to sleep if it's dark, or at least dim.
DON'T stay away too long.
Most experts agree you shouldn't leave your adult dog alone for more than eight to 10 hours, but some dogs (especially ones with small bladders) can't last that long.
Not only do dogs love being outdoors because it offers them a sense of that hereditary freedom, but they also can roam and explore. They love a change of scenery. Particularly if your dog has been at home throughout the day, a chance to get outside allows their senses to reawaken in a whole new way.
Bored dogs will find something to do if kept outside during the day or while you're at work, which is never a good thing. So hang out with your dog and prevent unwanted behavior. An ounce of prevention prevents hours of changing behavior, so never leave your dog outside unattended.
Generally speaking, most dogs benefit from anywhere between 30 minutes to two hours of exercise per day. Try to walk for at least 30 minutes per day; depending on the breed, age, and health of your dog, you can increase the length of your walks or the intensity of the physical activity.
The time when your puppy can sleep outside is not set in stone, but sometime in the four to six month range you can begin the transition.
Keep pets sheltered
Under no circumstances should pet cats be left outdoors, even if they roam outside during other seasons. Dogs are happiest when taken out frequently for walks and exercise, but kept inside the rest of the time. Don't leave pets outdoors when the temperature drops.
Your dog may want to remain outside because they feel that something is threatening you or your home. Such a situation could be temporary, like a neighbor walking down the sidewalk. In other cases, your dog might have an innate desire to remain outdoors all the time to protect your property (more on this shortly).
The space they will be sleeping in to make sure it's safe and dog friendly. Move anything that could cause them injury, and consider setting them up with their own doggy den using a crate (with the door left open if you don't need them enclosed) or baby gates to section off a specific space.
YES! Your dog can get sick from being outside in the cold weather for too long. It is too easy to think that just because your dog has a "fur coat", he is protected from the ravages of winter weather.
Use caution when the temperature drops below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (around 7 degrees Celsius). It's potentially unsafe for little-or-medium-sized dogs with thin coats to be outside, but big dogs with heavier coats are probably OK.
While they can still get around better than humans in total darkness due to their other senses, they will not be able to see. Although it's rare to have complete darkness, it's helpful to turn on a nightlight so your dog can see better at night.