hi there is it ok for staffys to live outside as my husband no longer wants the dog in the house. the kennel outside is kitted out its warm and dry 

Not sure, my OH Mum has a staffie, she gets quite cold in the winter and has a lovely warm coat when she's out walking. She is about 8 years old now and seems to really feel the cold. Staffies do have quite short coats so I wouldn't think they are equiped for outdoor living. Can you put some heat lamps in the kennel?

I'm sure a staffie expert will be along soon to advise.

Why does your other half want your dog outside?

the kennel is insulated carpeted she seems quite happy in there. and warm. he no longer wants her in the house as he is quite houseproud and no longer wants dog hairs as she does moult a lot she will be 1 at end of the month hes not really a dog lover its me and the kids that wanted her but now he has banned her from the house

Hmmm - if she has been a housedog for her first year and is suddenly "banned" I can imagine that you could have problems to start with - have you thought of banning Himself? :D

However if you and the kids wanted her, then I would agree that you and the kids should be responsible for ensuring that the mess is kept to a minimum - brushing her, etc etc etc

Margot

Oh that's sad, poor thing. She'll miss out on so much been outside all the time and you and your kids will miss out to. Can you convince him otherwise?, he has managed for almost a year now.

Having a dog just comes with the hair, as she short haired she will moult but not excessively. My dog is short coated and I brush him twice a week and I find that really helps but you can't really avoid the hair.

I walk out of the house every morning with the odd dog hair on my work suits, I don't mind all part of the package. :)

well she hasent been living in house a year she has always slept in kennel from being 10 weeks old that was a rule from the beggining she came in house in hallway in a bed and stayed in that wasent allowed anywhere else only the bed now he wants her out totally and the kids well the novelty has worn off with them its all down to me i feed walk look after her im not sure what to do

To be honest, the dog will have a miserable existence if it's going to spend so much time in 'solitary'. Personally I think you should seriously consider rehoming her. Sad for you I know, but you're the one with the choice - she has no say in her future. :( Dogs are social animals, and to spend all her life in isolation is unkind. A couple of walks and meals a day  is no substitute for company.

I'm with Jeangenie here - it sounds as if getting the dog was not thought through thoroughly - she does need company - you cannot just shove her in the kennel 24/7 and just leave her there - and if the "novelty" has worn off with the children, then it would be a salutory experience to them - you can't always have what you want! - just as long as you don't then get them a cat/hamster/pony to compensate for no dog!

Margot

there is no way i want to rehome her she isent in kennel all the time she in back garden most of the day then i take her for walk at night he wants nothing to do with her. occasionaly he will take her out he only agreed to get her for me and the kids but has since laid rules down

I realise that you don't want to rehome her, but if your circumstances mean you can't give her the life she needs (ie, living within a group) then I'm afraid most people will consider her needs more important than yours. Sometimes we have to do things we don't want to, for the benefit of others who can't help themselves. It's very hard to be unselfish, but sometimes it's necessary. Sorry.

Hi again tomkiol,

I guessed you probably didn't want to re-home her but out of a 24 hour day, one walk at night - no matter how long and enjoyable for her - is simply neither sufficient nor fair :(   You definitely sound as though you are attached to this little dog so please, if you can't get the support of your OH, do what's in the best interests of the dog - even although it will hurt you.

I don't want to be harsh with you because it sounds as though you are getting enough of a hard time at home but please, please put the wellbeing of your pet first.  If she is not allowed indoors and to interact with the family like any and every family dog should be, then I'm sure her breeder or alternatively SBT rescue will be able to find her a great new place which satsifies her fundamental need for attention, affection and companionship.

Good luck, Teri 

Hi tomkiol,

I say "ditto" to JG's post :(   Dogs are companion animals and a life of basically solitary confinement is no life for them at all.  I realise you have to keep things in your relationship and family on an even keel so in the circumstances if you have no real say in whether or not this little dog is allowed a family life then I think you should very seriously consider rehoming her.

Teri

I completely agree with JG, if the dog is either on its own in a kennel or on its own in the hallway or on its own in the garden, what is the point of having it?

I think she would have a much happier life living with a family that was far more dog loving and far less house proud and wanted a dog to be what it was meant to be, a companion.

Poor dog, what a sterile existence it must have.

i dont want to get rid of her even though the kids dont participate much they would be devastated especially my eldest he is 11 if i rehomed her then thats giving my husband what he wants im sure thats why he does it

Your eldest is at an excellent age to learn that having an animal is a fulltime responsibility, for its mental and physical well-being. Get him to come with you when you walk her (morning and evening, rain or shine) for a few weeks to help him learn. If he's not willing to do that, then he's not ready for a pet.

Dogs have many needs which must be met if they're not to suffer. If we can't meet those needs, then we must let the dog go to someone who can. It's not like having a bike which can be forgotten about when we lose interest - it's a 15-year commitment. No dog can be allowed live such a solitary existence for 15-odd years. :(

thats giving my husband what he wants im sure thats why he does it

But to have to shut the dog in a kennel & the garden for 22+ hours a day is also giving in to your husband.   Believe me, having lived with someone similar to this, the dog has no life and will be blamed for every little problem that occurs whether she is to blame or not.

Think I'd be rehoming your husband!   ;)

>Think I'd be rehoming your husband!

Ditto, Christine. He sounds like a bully.

he does blame the dog for everything.. but hes had a rough year his dad recently commit suicide amongst other things hes not usually like this. its just the dog has copped it do u think he will come round or should i think of rehoming her

If he's made the pup live outside from 10 weeks old I can't see him changing his attitude now. :(

Tomkiol

You have already been giving your husband what he wants by allowing very little by way of comfort to this dog  if it's at best been allowed access to the hallway only :(  Now you're continuing in the same vein by giving him what he wants if you have this poor dog permanently shut out of the house.

Dogs need companionship, mental and physical stimulation, affection and interaction.  Not only that but your chosen breed is a dog which needs lots of mental work-out as well as exercise to keep their wonderfully happy sociable characters! 

Sorry, I have to agree with the others as you have limited time with her during the day it would be best to rehome her. I know it is very hard decisions to make but you have to think of what is best for the dog. Your kids and yourself will be very upseat but will get over it.

I'm not into giving relationship advice but you need to stand up to your husband. A marriage is about compromise and your Husband isn't been fair to you at all. I understand he's had a tough year so it must be difficult for you.

I'm really feel for you and the situation you are in please stand up for yourself!

Goodluck :)

A dog is a social creature and needs company throughout most of the day either human or canine.

With your husbands rules on pets a dog is not suited to your family lifestyle. 

An outdoor Pet like a Rabbit or Guninea Pig may be a better bet, as even a cat who won't need the social interaction as much would still normally come indoors sometimes.

Do you really want to condemn your bitch to such a lonely life for probably the next 12 to 15 years? 

What will happen when she is old and needs more TLC than can be provided in the kennel?

My heart goes out to you Tomkiol. Making a decision to rehome your beloved pet will be one of the hardest and saddest things you will have to do. Please keep in mind though how happy your baby will be with people to play with all day, and being able to snuggle next to a nice warm person to have a fuss in front of the TV. What if the winter is really bad? Snow and ice? It is a painful thing to have to do, but please think of the welfare of your dog :-) :-)

i would dump your husband and quickly! he sounds like a childish bully using something you care for as a weapon. if the dog goes what will he use next? one of the kids??

Other people on here have dogs that live outside.... Is it that this one would be living outside on its own that people object to.  Just wondering.

I personally would sleep outside myself before have my 2 outside, I have said before my 2 have hotwater bottles and nightlights while they sleep in the house so I cant get my head round someone putting a dog out to sleep be it on its own or in a group, no matter how good the kennel.

I would seriously work on your husband and have a stern word with your kids as SBT rescue is that overloaded with these poor little unwanted babies through people getting them as pups then getting bored when they are fully mature it makes my blood boil!!!!!!!!!

I know your in a difficult situation and I do feel for you, my honest response would be get shut of the husband (reason I never got myself one as my dogs would always come first).

i can really only echo what the others are saying. SBTs love their family & want to be with them.
i dont really like the sound of your hubby,im afared.he sounds very mean. it doset matter what has happened to him this year (we all have our problems) hes wrong to want to put a PART of your family out in the garden to live!

i know you should have a family vote,i bet you & all the kids vote to have her in the house full time, & she will vote for that too! :) so if its just your hubby voting against he will be over rulled! bring the dog in,inside (not just in the hall way,but as part of the family, then if your hubby dosent like it ...well HE can go & try out the kennel,see how fair he thinks it is then.

Thing is 2 dogs living outside have each other for company & warmth, this poor soul has no-one and a husband who sounds like he's doing his best to lower the self esteem of his wife by bullying.   Please don't make excuses for him.....

My sister lost her partner very suddenly on holiday this year, he died of a heart attack.  It's times like these you appreciate the unselfish love your animals give you, how much they rely on you and they keep you going through troubled times.   I would NEVER pander to any man's whims now, if he didn't like my pets.  They were here long before he came on the scene - and I speak from someone who's been there & done that!

I really do feel for you, please don't let him bring you down.

Maybe he is hurting because of his bereavement and knows the little girl is your weakness and how he can get at you without using one of the kids. 

As others have said dont let him get away with it.  Dogs are alot more reliant on you than a child they rely on you for their every need and love you unconditionally (unlike some children)   You little SBT girl needs you to either sort out your husbands ISSUES or to find her a good home which would mean you vetting the rescue home she goes to or the private home she goes to very carefully.  

This thread has made me so sad thinking about it, especially as she is a SBT who do adore their families, she will wonder what she has done wrong and not ever know the answer, because she wont be able to work out its that your husband is neurotic.  (sorry no offence meant).

Few people that do kennel their dogs or have them sleep in a kennel confine their dogs to a solitary existence at total odds with their nature.

They normally spend time with their owner in the house or out working, even if this means taking turns, which is often the cae when more dogs are owned.

At other times they will be kenneled with canine company.

It sounds like your husband is happy to play cruel human games here and is certainly a control freak - I can't imagine allowing a man to make "rules" in my house!!!  However, your Staffy isn't a human and she deserves better than being used as a victim for whatever issues he's currently working out. She's not a working dog or a breed that usually live out because Staffies love to be with their families so it would be absolutely dreadful to allow her to be banished to a kennel regardless of how well kitted out that kennel is. I know this sounds harsh but I'd be putting the husband outside if he can't understand how cruel his latest ruling will be for your poor dog.

I would have words with your husband & tell him how you feel.

My husband is allergic to the dogs & goes to bed every night itching !!!!

The only thing he says is he wont let the dogs on our bed or in our bedroom, but the dogs go & sleep with the kids so are quite happy.

It would be cruel to keep the little staffie outside on her own - they are real family dogs & need to be amongst people. She could also get very fustrated being on her own & then you could have health / behaviour problems with her.

Your husband is not being fair to any of you, he cant just change the rules, its not fair.

I hope you can talk your husband around - if not I think it would be better for this poor little dog to go & live with somone who wants her to be part of their family.

I do feel for you

I have known lots of staffies in my life and only 1 of them I can remember,didn't feel the cold.Our staffie Callah shivers on our bed if I have the window open,so off she trots and jumps in with my 3 year old son. :)
I think it would be unfair to just banish this dog to the garden as she will have grown used to all her home comforts and staffies love company and to feel loved. :(
I too agree that if you cannot talk your hubby round,then maybe she should be found a new home.
I hope you can sort this out and I am sorry that your hubby is putting you in this situation.

Hubby would be out!!  Your dog needs social interaction with the family.  Staffy's are very human orientated dogs and need their company. 

I think the Hubby would be in the Kennel and the dog keeping me warm with love at night!!

I know he's had a hard time and everything, but then you and the kids have been through that time too surely??? Seems to me like any excuse to get rid of the dog anyways!? POOR BL**DY DOG:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Sometimes, loving someone means letting them go...  If you love this little dog please don't make her live alone outside, I have lived next door to a dog that had to live outside after his owner got fed up of the hairs :(  at first it was only at night, then after a few weeks it was while he was at work and at night, after 2 months the poor dog was alone 24/7 only having his food shoved out the door and being taken in for a few minutes to show him off occasionally :(  that is cruel :(

I've also had a rescue dog from the same situation, he came from a house near my parents home and wouldn't even walk past it in case we took him back, he never forgot although he was happy enough to meet the man who'd cared for him ;)

I can only reiterate what other people have said on here about this.....it does sound like you and your husband and your family are having a hard time and I can empathise.. my father also committed suicide, my brother found his body in his car and has huge drug problems possibly as a result of this  and I'm as stressed as anyone could be!!!... but life does have to go on....
so please please seriously think about rehoming this dog..... the people at stafford welfare are so helpful and sympathetic... staffords are by nature very very sociable and crave human company.. to leave the dog outside without company is the worst form of punishment for this breed...
also look after yourself... I don't like to give out relationship advice as I don't know you from Adam, but it sounds like all of you need some tlc....xxxxxxxxx
take care

to leave the dog outside without company is the worst form of punishment for this breed...

Agree totally with this statement. Please dont let your hubby bully you like this,it is afterall YOUR home aswell,you should never have agreed to these rules in the first place :(

Please,please put your dogs needs before your own,if you really love this dog you will want to see her happy,and being turfed outside for the rest of her life will be nothing but a miserable existence,to be honest she would be better off PTS than live the next 14 years or so in an unhappy exile.I'm not suggesting putting her to sleep,i'm just trying to get across how wrong it would be to do this to her.It's akin to the death penalty,IMO it's the easy way out for the criminals,i think it would be far worse punishment living the rest of their lives in prison then getting put out of their misery!

if you look up the staffy breed it will say living arrangments INSIDE

Absolutely, slee! There are quite a few breeds which would be happy living outside although I suspect you need to start as you mean to go on if this is the preferred arrangement. But staffies are not one of those breeds and this little 'un has always been a house dog up to now so her banishment has to send her a  "We don't want you anymore" message. If your husband is already unhappy with having the dog how much happier is he going to be coping with the behavioural problems that are going to result from chucking her outside?

exactly the screamin barking chewing and thats just to name a few

I think you should take your family to a dog rescue shelter or the sbt rescue- they can see all the abandoned and neglected dogs there- they may realise that this is where your dog could end up if attitudes dont change! could you do that?
Could you ask your hubby if he wants this dog in one of those shelters? dont know how could say yes to that!
You have to be tough, i know its horrid when your the only one working hard for the girl, but try.
My mums dogs stay in their kennel quite often- but they snuggle together and clean each other etc- they also curl up in front of mums fire, at home. Your dog will be cold, lonely, bored and cut off from everything she loves- that simply isnt right, not if you can provide a lovely home for her.
If you cant- then you have to think straight- find a dog lover, someone who thinks of dogs as part of family and home her. Take care & good luck xxx

I would agree with everyone. We have a staffie who hates the cold, try getting out the door when it rains :rolleyes:

He also loves nothing more than a cuddle and is more of a lapdog and follows me round the house everywhere, He hates being on his own especially when we are in the house, he has to be with us at all times.

Its cruel to even consider leaving this dog out all day and night, they are really not a breed for it. Ask your husband to live outside for a week and see how he would feel.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND COMMENTS. I HAVE SINCE HAD A SERIOUS CHAT WITH MY ELDEST SON AND HUSBAND. MY SON HAS ACCEPTED TO TAKE SOME RESPOSNSIBILITY AS I HAVE EXPLAINED WHAT WILL HAPPEN, AND MY HUBBY HAS AGREED TO LET HER IN THE HOUSE BUT NOT THE LIVING ROOM AND SHE IS HERE WITH ME NOW IN THE DINING ROOM IN HER BED IM SO PLEASED THANX FOR GIVING ME THE COURAGE. AT LEAST SHE ISENT LONELY OUTSIDE NOW

thats fantastic- im happy for both of ya, you never know, in time your hubby may come to like her, well done! x

well done, i am sure your girl will be feeling very special at the mo. i also think that your husband deserves a pat on the back for being able to change and see your point of view. it takes alot to see things the way others do, and some people just arn't able to.
merry christmas to you and your family.
it will be the best chrismas your girl will have i am sure

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL TOO XX IM SO PLEASED SHE IS SO OVERWHELMED AT THE MINUTE LOOKIN AT THE XMAS TREE AND TV DONT THINK SHE CAN BELIEVE IT THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS GETTING RID OF HER I HAD TO DO SOMET MY ELDEST SON WAS CRYING WHEN I SAID SHE MAY HAVE TO GO IF THINGS DONT CHANGE I THINK THATS WHAT MADE MY HUBBY REALISE TOO

well done tomkiol, I've been following this post without commenting but feel that standing up to your husband was the best thing you could have done.  Your SBT will give you unconditional love and respect throughout her life and letting her indoors will probably be the best xmas present ever for her.  Your husband would not last 5 minutes in my house where my staffy gets on the sofas, on the bed and even under the duvet when its cold and for these tiny priveledges I've got a loyal companion who would do anything for me.

I'm so, so glad you've managed to sort this awful situation out!  Have a great Xmas and enjoy your girl!

Sarah.

Congratulations for standing up for yourself, your dog and, indeed, your entire family! It must have taken a lot of courage, but by being honest and open there can be no bitterness and resentment, which are incredibly unhealthy emotions, especially within a marriage. There can only be benefits for your entire household. :)

Have a merry Christmas, all of you! :)