Dogs can happily live outside provided they get plenty of contact and playtime with their human family, enough space to run around, and socialization with other dogs. Here are some points about having a happy, fit outside dog:

Don’t Chain Your Dog Up

If you’re going to keep your dog outside, don’t chain it up to its kennel and expect it to be ok. Dogs need to have space to move, run, play. If you’re going to keep an outside dog, make sure you have a fenced yard that’s big enough for your dog’s roaming needs. How much space your dog needs to roam will depend on its breed, size, and overall energy levels.

Give Your Dog Attention

Your outside dog will need plenty of attention from you and other members of your family. You may need to dedicate even more “strictly dog time” than you would if your dog was an inside pet. Inside dogs often get human contact throughout the day even when their owners aren’t directly playing with or paying attention to them as they go about their chores. No such luck with outside dogs, unless you’re gardening all day. Dogs are social animals. Your dog needs to know that it’s part of your pack/family and to do this, it needs to get attention from its pack-mates.

Make sure your dog has shelter

Your dog will need to stay cool in the heat of summer and warm in the cold winter. It will need to stay in the shade when it’s scorching and stay dry when it’s raining. Never keep a dog outside without sufficient shelter. Get a high quality dog house and furnish it with warm, comfortable blankets. Make sure your yard always gets enough shade throughout the day. Also make sure that there is more cover in your yard than just the dog house. If it’s raining all day, your dog will get either bored being stuck in its dog house all day or sick staying out in the rain.

If your dog is sick or if the weather conditions are unsafe, bring it inside

I know, I know, your rental doesn’t allow indoor dogs, your partner is allergic, your cat doesn’t get along with your dog – everyone has their own reasons for keeping a dog outside. But if your pet gets sick or if the weather is extreme enough to cause potential illness or harm to your dog, find a way to bring it inside no matter what your reasons. Assign a room for your dog to stay in and stay there with it if you must, but get your dog into the house where it’s safe. Your partner can stay in a different part of the house for a while, you can vacuum up the fur and get the carpets cleaned if it’s a rental issue. Whatever it is, your first priority is taking care of your pet. There is no excuse to leave a sick dog out in the cold on its own.

Go for daily walks, runs, or bike rides

Go for a walk, run, or cycle with your dog every day. This will get your dogs some exercise and allow the two of you to spend some much needed time together.