I've just read an article in one of my dog magazines about kennelling your average pet dog. I thought at the beginning I wouldn't want to kennel one of mine, but actually it doesn't sound at all bad - from either dog or owner point of view. Has anyone experience of this that they could share with me? And when to start - ie first night you bring puppy home (seems bordering on cruel to me but I am prepared to be proved wrong). Any advice gratefully received!

A lot of Malamutes and Sibes are kennelled outside ..doesn't mean they spend all day out there though ;)

My grandparents have one of there dogs outside most of the time and he loves it.  Aslong as dogs are kenneld in prober kennels and runs and they are safe and have plenty of bedding they should be fine!!!

Rox

The other aspect to consider is neighbours.  I have a double kennel and run that my girls sleep in, but there is no way that they could stay there in the daytimne if I was out.  they would react to the neigbours going abut their business or people coming to the house and bark , and without me being thre to tell them not to who knows for how long and how often they would do this, and cause nuisance.

My 4 are all outside and they love it.Big runs,cosy kennels with plenty of shavings and they are brought in after walks morning and night for fun time.I'd say that my oldest girl Sachiko,who is a mummy's girl would gladly stay in all day but only if i was there.They lie out even on the snow but their coats allow that(akitas).Sandra

Thanks to everyone who replied - this might be just what I'm looking for to help convince the boyfriend that getting a pup is a good idea. He's worried about mess in the house, and although that wouldn't be entirely eliminated it would certainly be better.
Thanks again!

Hi, my bullmastiffs are outside, they have been since we built the kennels last easter, when we are at home they all come in the house, but they know when its bed time and my older boy will go to the back door ready to go to his kennel, our puppy was introduced to the kennel at 4months and she has had no problems with this routine. They have a very large run attached to the kennel block so they can come on go as they please, we did leave open the sliding hatch so that puppy could get out during the night if she needed to go, this helped with her toilet training and we don't have any acceidents in the house at all now.
Hope this helps.
Karen.

We kennel ours at approx 12-16 weeks,but we acclimatize them by having a heated run and kennel in the outhouse after being inside,then we put in extra bedding and switch off heat lamp if weather allows,then when weather is better they will go into outside kennel and run.The inside run has a flap to go outside if they feel like it meantime and see other dogs.Have had no problems yet and that has been a few reared now,Sandra.

My puppies are always brought up in the house, housetrained & then gradually introduced to the kennel. I would never leave a single dog outside on his own though. Can't see the point in having a dog then.

I did leave a single dog on her own in a kennel and run,. But only on the days I was at work. Sometimes I can work 12 hours a day in the summer. But at this time of the year I can be home at 4!!! I got Gemma, when I was a house wife and mum, but now am single and work. Gemma never had any problems with being outside during the day(she came in as soon as I got home).Now I have another dog, and they get on fine.Both are kenneled when I am at work,and come in when I get in.
Lea :)

Thanks Lea - that's encouraging to hear of one dog being successfully kennelled by herself. What breed is Gemma and your new dog? I only ask because I wonder if they are successfully kennelled because they are a more relaxed breed. I'm hoping for a border collie, so not all that placid!

I have a Rottie cross, and an American Cocker Spaniel. Only got the cocker 2 1/2 months ago.
HTH
Lea :)

Thanks for replying Anwen. Unfortunately it will be just one puppy to start with, as I don't want to take two on at once. Your advice about housetraining before kennelling is useful, as I wasn't sure what to do on that issue.

Thanks Sandra - I wasn't sure what you would do with puppies, and that's helped answer my question.

If you are thinking of starting out with a pup outside, I would get him during the spring or summer months so he gets used to it before the weather turns and he should have some coat by then too.