It’s finally that time of day where you have to head for work, do you put your Labradoodle outside or do you find a place to leave him inside the house?
So, Are Labradoodles Inside or Outside Dogs? Labradoodles should be mostly inside dogs. Doodles are social animals that love being around people, and should not be left outside for long periods of time.
When I was younger, I remember a lot of people leaving their dogs outside practically all of the time, but that seems to have changed these days as we have become more aware of how that affects our dogs.
But what happens if you can’t keep your Labradoodle inside all of the time? Can your dog be left outside during the day for extended periods of time?
In this article, we will take a look at several questions like:
- Why should the Labradoodle be an inside dog?
- Can a Labradoodle ever be an outside dog?
- What are the cons of keeping a Labradoodle outside?
- What are the options for leaving a Labradoodle inside?
Why Should a Labradoodle Be an Inside Dog?
I’ve previously written an article called Can A Labradoodle Be Left Alone, which touches on some of the same subjects as what we will look at here, and I would recommend that you read that if you want some good ideas to help your dog in these situations.
Labradoodles are known as extremely social animals, and they usually need a lot of social interaction. What your Doodle wants the most in life is to be around you.
If you already own a doodle then you know he will follow his family members all over the house, and when everyone is settled somewhere he will most likely find someone with a good spot near them to lay down.
Your dog is at its’ most comfortable when he knows his family is safe and nearby.
Labradoodles also need a lot of interaction as they are a highly intelligent breed, and need someone to interact with them. A Doodle has a tendency to get quite bored and restless if there is nobody around, and that can quickly lead to unwanted destructive behavior.
Also, do keep in mind that dogs are pack animals that are used to living with other dogs. A Labradoodle thrives on interaction with humans and animals, both mentally and socially.
Can a Labradoodle Ever Be an Outside Dog?
But what options are there if you work all day and don’t have a really good place to keep your Doodle other than outdoors? Is it then possible for him to be an outside dog?
Labradoodles can be outside dogs, but you have to take some precautions.
Firstly, you will need a great outside space for him. Most importantly, your dog will need to be restricted to an area with a fence of some sort, so you’re sure that he can’t get loose.
The fence should be at least 5 feet high so you are sure that he can’t get over it.
Also, make sure that the base of the fence is buried about 1 foot into the ground so it not possible for him to dig under it.
You will also need a kennel that has the right size for your dog.
The kennel should be large enough for him to be able to fully move around in and he should also be able to completely stand up in without slouching.
But don’t get a model that is so big that your dog ends up feeling insecure inside it.
A model like the Lucky Dog Modular Kennel which is very sturdy, but also comes in a variety of different sizes.
It is also very important that you ensure that the kennel is placed somewhere that remains clean and dry no matter what kind of weather we’re having.
It is also important that your Doodle has access to plenty of available fresh cool water and access to as much food as is needed depending on how long he’ll be alone.
Seeing as the food and water bowls will be placed outside, make sure that you clean them often so they don’t get unhygienic.
If you plan on leaving your Labradoodle outside for extended periods of time, consider getting a companion for him if you can.
As mentioned earlier, Labradoodles are very social dogs and having another furry friend for him to spend the time with can make all the difference in the world.
Also, make sure that you take some time to play and interact with your Labradoodle for as much as possible every single day.
A Labradoodle needs a lot of regular exercise and physical and mental stimulation.
This can’t be just a few minutes every day, you will have to put in more effort than that.
You can also expect that your dog will need to be groomed a bit more frequently as he will get dirtier from being outside than he would if he was kept inside all the time.
Labradoodles are quite sturdy dogs and will typically do well with different temperatures. However, there are still some precautions you will have to take regarding cold and hot weather.
If you find that it is hot outside make sure that there is a shaded area for your dog to retreat to.
Another thing you should definitely purchase for a kennel is a cover like this Nickanny’s UV Cover that also fits the previously mentioned Lucky Dog Kennel perfect.
Again, remember to provide plenty of water. A good idea is that you dig a hole in the ground for his water dish so that he won’t be able to tip it over or get a bowl that is designed to avoid tipping.
Try filling the bowl with a mix of ice and water, this will ensure that the ice will keep the water cold as it slowly melts throughout the day.
Also make sure that your Labradoodle has a comfortable area to lay on, and not just on some concrete as it will get quite hot being exposed to the sun all day.
If the weather is cold outside, make sure your Doodle has access to an insulated dog house with a waterproof roof.
We use an ASL Solutions Deluxe Dog Palace for our dog, and after a few days of getting used to it, he absolutely loves it.
In conditions such as these, it is also recommended that you have a heated bed or pad for your dog to lay on.
If you live in a place where it gets really cold, then you should definitely also consider purchasing a heater for the dog house.
Remember that you should only leave him outside if you really have nowhere else to leave him!
And I would very much recommend that you don’t leave him out all through the night.
You can be sure that your dog will show his dissatisfaction with being away from his family and you can expect that he will start howling and barking the first many times you do it.
What Are the Cons of Keeping a Labradoodle Outside?
Let’s look at some of the multiple reasons why it’s not always a good idea to make your Labradoodle an outside dog.
First, there are lots of dangers out there for him outside.
Depending on where you live, there can be anything from poisonous plants to chemicals, coyotes, snakes and other wildlife.
Also, if your dog ends up barking or howling constantly then you also have some neighbors who will most likely be rather upset.
Labradoodles’ are very smart and crafty. And if he really wants to be around people you can make sure that he will try to find a way to do so.
Ensure that you don’t have anything near the fence that can help your dog climbing over it.
If you have a wooden fence for your dog, you should also make sure there are no loose boards he can get through or that it’s not possible for him to dig his way under the fence.
As previously mentioned, Labradoodles are exceptionally social dogs and can and will do whatever they possible for them to be around its’ favorite people.
If your dog ends up getting bored, there’s a big risk that he can become destructive. He may end up chewing up things in the yard or perhaps dig up some of your plants.
In such a situation a dog can become very agitated and also even quite aggressive.
Some Doodles develops different types of skin problems and rashes from being left outside for too long periods. There’s also a bigger risk of having flea and tick issues or picking up some kind of parasite this way.
But generally speaking, the number one biggest danger to your Labradoodle when he is left outside, is without a doubt the weather.
Even though a Doodle can typically do well in several different types of weather, being exposed to extreme temperatures can still be very harmful to them.
In very hot weather, something you should always watch out for is signs of heatstroke.
If your Doodle is panting excessively, drooling, or you notice that his gums have turned into a deep red color, then you need to get your dog inside and cooled down as fast as possible.
An on the other end of the scale, when the weather is cold outside, the number one thing you should be on the lookout for are signs of hypothermia.
If your Doodle is lethargic, shivering, or seems to have a general lack of coordination, get him inside and warmed up straight away.
Both heatstroke and hypothermia are very serious issues that can lead to coma or even death if your dog isn’t taken care of immediately.
What Are The Options for Leaving a Labradoodle Inside?
If you have to be gone for long periods every day, and in these times most of us have to work pretty much every day, there are some other options for where you can keep your Labradoodle.
One of those options is crating your dog while you are out of the house.
There are those who don’t agree with this method but if this isn’t something you will under no circumstance do, then using a crate can be a great solution.
As mentioned with a kennel, you should get a crate that is large enough for your Doodle to be able to stand up and turn around in it shouldn’t be much bigger than that.
Your Doodle will most likely prefer a cozy, safe spot for him to rest. Areas like these make him feel more safe and secure.
The best way to crate train a Labradoodle is to be going forward slowly over time.
Start by letting him be accustomed for short periods at first. And then you can gradually increase the amount of time your dog is confined in the crate.
Remember to make sure there is either a bed or pad or something like that for him to lay on to make sure he is comfortable.
It is also a very good idea to give him some kind of a treat when he enters the crate so your dog will automatically associate the crate with delicious rewards rather than as a form of punishment.
An average Labradoodle can handle being in a crate for quite a few hours at a time but you should never leave him in there for more than 8 hours.
If you have to keep your dog crated often throughout the day, then you should avoid using the crate during the night as well.
As we’ve previously established, he really prefers sleeping as close to his family as possible.
If you are not fond of the idea of crating then perhaps you have a small room you can dog proof and let that be his room.
Avoid locking him in too big of a room as he will end up feeling very insecure. A small laundry room or perhaps bathroom will work quite well.
Make sure there is a comfortable spot for him to rest, and that anything that could damage or that harm him is far out of reach (things such as chemical products, cosmetics, sharp objects and so on).
You should practice with your dog to use the spot slowly, over time as well.
Start out by leaving him in the room for a short period of time and then you can gradually increase the duration of his time there.
One thing you should be aware of is that there might be a possibility that he will try to claw his way through the door in the room.
A friend of mine once babysat another friend’s Labradoodle that almost completely tore through a bedroom door when the dog decided he didn’t want to be left alone in the room anymore.
So make sure this dog-room is fitted with water, food, a lot of comfortable pads or blankets, and great toys to play with.
Conclusion
Labradoodles are known as very loving, sweet, social animals who prefer to be with their families above anything else.
Everybody has to leave the house some times and there should be some viable options for where to leave our dog when we are away.
Inside is almost always the best option for a Labradoodle.
If you have no choice but to leave him outside, please do it in a correct and safe manner.
Don’t let the outside become your preferred spot for your Labradoodle, as there is a risk that he may become lonely, bored, and perhaps even aggressive.
If you’re not able to spend the necessary time to stimulate, interact with and exercise your Labradoodle, this breed is probably not the best choice for your lifestyle.
Hopefully, this has helped to answer the question Are Labradoodles Inside or Outside Dogs.
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