Opinions on living area.... - Page 1

I currently have my GSD living in the house full time. I have decided that I would like to get him accustom to living outside of the house at least 50 % of the time. We have a 2 car attached garage that is not used for our cars, it is for the most part empty. The garage is insulated and drywalled with a vaulted ceiling and two large windows. A man door leads to the dog pen as you can see from the picture. The dog pen is 20 ft by 40 ft with river rock footing. The fence is 5 ft  but the property is on a slight grade which makes the pen settle a bit lower in some areas...I have never had any of our GSD live outside, so I am a little skeptical about putting this guy out.. I would like opinions on our set up and any advice about something that you see from the pictures that should be changed to make it more safe , more comfortable, and more secure....Thanks

Everything looks fine and safe to me for the dog, what about the people who live in the house.

The only problem I see is that you will not have the security or protection of your loyal friend.
We have at least 3 dogs in the house at all times, and over night at least 5, I see no reason to keep them in their own separate area, unless a female is in heat, or it's a puppy that needs housebreaking.

I strongly believe your GSD should be part of your family (But I'm not talking spoiled and sleeping in your bed), and if you have just one GSD, he should get to have even more freedom, not less.

 Just my opinion

          Paula

  

Oops!
  Hi Ruger1,
   
   Thank you for all your nice comments about my dogs, I just noticed you posted, I really hope what I posted doesn't offend you

Hi Ruger

Looks very nice, all I would suggest is that the dog has access to the garage. My kennel is set up inside my garage with doors on a pulley system so that they can be confined or allowed to go in and out as they please. And, put a lock on the outside  kennel door.

        mirasmom,,,,Thanks for the comment, no offense was taken at all...In the evening he will be in the house, he sleeps next to my bed. ...However, I think this guy will appreciate his indoor privileges more if he is not inside all the time. JMO....and I want a place for him to be when I am working 4 days a week and when guests visit......

                   Deanna...: )

    Pirates.....

            Yes, he will always have access to the garage thru the man door...My husband is going to install another type of lock for the the two gates in the dog pen area.....Thanks for the comment...

              Deanna...: )

Ruger 1,
Excellent space! Space wise more than enough. If the space was mine, I would build a lagre "planter box" for say one of the ends and plant grass. Reason two fold: You know how dogs just love to lounge, stretch and just take a long snooze? (Especially after training) Well, There's no place for that. 50% of his life on the gravel.....(or river rock) and second can't remember if he's male/female? But either way they'll be urinating and that gravel will just hold it and they usually hit the same spot so there will be a build up area. If it's a male, looks like the only place to raise a leg is against the doghouse, where the trash cans are stored and the corners of the house? Any lights for nighttime? Anyways JMO but an excellent space.  

 Rugar 1,
I might be able to help. Here are a few questions I have for you.
Which direction does the fenced area face? Does the garage provide shade from the afternoon sun? Where are you located, do you get a lot of rain or snow? From the pictures it looks like the homes foundation is a sub floor with the stem walls raising about 18" from grade (ground level) so the only available location to put in a dog door would be in the people door. Are you going to put in a dog door so he has access to to the garage? Are those trash cans used regularly? Is he a jumper? Do you live on a busy street? If so I would consider putting in a security screen either evergreen vegetation or  privacy slats in the chain link.

C

PS: You can PM me with your answers and I will be happy to help you.

           alboe2009,,,I like the idea of the grass, I will think about that in the spring. Yes, there are lights in the pen and on the front of the garage. Our pole barn and horse are opposite the dog pen and there is a large night light that illuminates the whole area...He is a male that does not lift his leg..lol...

          clc29.....The longest length of the fence ( back of the home) faces east...lots of shade all day...I am located in Ohio, so we have a lot of snow and a moderate amount of rain.....He will have access thru the man door to go in and out as he wants....Trash cans will be moved....He is 11 months old , he has never tried to jump ???.....We have no visible neighbors as we live in a very rural area and set far off the road....

                                  Thanks for the comments...

Hi Deanna...I think your dog is a very lucky boy to have such a nice place to hang out...I see a couple possible situations that might or might not occur...
First...I'm not sure of your garage...and what's in it and exactly what can your boy get into and maybe get hurt...Second...I think giving too much to your dog can cause a problem too...I mean when our dogs get bored they will find something to keep them busy...Maybe digging a hole...maybe climbing the fence...maybe biting thru the fence depending on the strength of the fabric...
Without knowing your dog and what he'll do it's hard to tell what's enough and what's just right...
I would think whether you add some grass or not...your dog will probably "go" any and everywhere...mainly because he has such a large amount of room to use...
On my property I have put a totum pole as such in the ground...it's really a fence post that's 10' long...anyway with all the area my dogs have to "go" they will all go over to the post and pee...and they basically all poop in the same places...a number of places but the same ones...
The number 1 thing is Safety...and in saying that you still must know your dog's tendacies...like will he jump the fence...will he dig out...I have one dog that would climb over a 6' fence almost before I could turn around...so I had to put a top on his run...
I would think no matter what you do for him...you'll need to check for Safety and Bordom...Maybe getting him a friend would help...But I don't think I'd give him the run of the garage...somehow restrict it...
It's just the same as puppy proofing your house...

~Bob~