Need some advise - Page 1

 I have two male pups ( 10 months )  that I have been rotating at night to the house because only one run has a dog house in it. Both runs are covered with a roof and have sides. It is expected to be about 20 degrees F tonight.

I have a bitch in heat in the house and although they are both in crates his enthusiasm to get out is starting to concern me.  He is not the intended sire as he is her son.

Here is my question-  would it be ok to put him back out in that run overnight without a doghouse but well protected, No precipitation is expected and it is not windy. He is used to the cold. There are rubber mats on part of the floor of the runs so he would not have to be on the concrete.

What do you think?

Why not put the crate out in the run with a blanket or something else over it and in it? I am such a schmuck for these dogs, he would probably be OK, but I think the crate might afford a chance to conserve his body temp better....

 Good idea Trailrider but the last crate I put in the run got eaten (fiberglass kind you put on airplanes)  this one is an aluminum crate assembled and won't fit through the door and it's too dark to even attempt breaking it up and reassembling it. 

if the dog has been outdoors all winter; and 20 F is normal in your area; and there is no wind; and the dog is not wet,a nd the dog is healthy: put him outside - it shouldn't be a problem. If you have hay or straw, spread it on the ground. Assemble the aliminum crate in the morning so he has wind shelter next time.

Bad dog, LOL! Only other thing I can think of is on a previous thread someone suggested putting a crate in a van if you might have a van. Not sure how big an aluminum crate is. Good luck..... bound to be some howling...

Hey gsdlvr, you know I like those dogs of yours. Why can't the famale be put outside? Is there a chance of her being bred out there? If she is outside the guys inside should be okay right?

 aaahh, watson, a female in heat always has a chance of being bred through the fence no matter how many fences there are.

I put a double wire that I rigged around the crate door. That will have to do. I will be near-by just in case.

Even though the dog is "used to" colder temps he still needs access to a dog house.  I am a licensed animal cruelty officer and if I were to get a call on  this situation and when I responded this was indeed the case you could get a fine.  A dog that is outside longer than one hour must have adequate shelter from the weather. If he chooses not to use that shelter so be it but must have access regardless. Just an FYI.

Amy

 thank you Amy, that was one of my concerns. Technically he has a 3 sided shelter, which is normally all that is required, but I wasn't feeling totally comfortable with that so I fixed up something in the house.

I'll be camping with the dogs to make sure all goes well and no accidents occur.