Now that I no longer have grass clippings I need some recommendations for a bedding to put in Lobo's kennel. Right now it is a dirt bottom. I won't use concret because that is too hard for him. I would like something though that is going to keep him somewhat clean. Also something that is safe incase he gets a bug up his butt and decideds to sample it.

Does anyone else have GSD's that don't like to be in the house for long periods of time? Since he turned a 1 1/2, everytime I bring him in, after about 2 hrs in he whines, and pouts. Is it mean to leave him outside all the time? We interact with him, take him for walks, tie him out on a 25ft line when we can't walk him etc, but friends and family are saying that this is a waste of a dog and if I'm not willing to make him stay in the house I should just get rid of him for his sake <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Am I doing the wrong thing?

I do not understand how that is wasting a good dog. If you completely neglected the dog, never fed it, let it bathe in its own fecies, then that is wasting the dog, among other things. I personally keep my Malinois in her kennel 9 hours a day when I am at work (unless she is with me on an assignment), free to run in my fenced in back yard 3-4 hours a day before I hit the sack, and in my garage at night, to complete the 24 hour cycle. Does that mean I am wasting the dog? I think you are doing the right thing by paying attention to the dog by allowing it to go outside. Your friends and family think the dog is a house dog. I do not know what a house dog is. I understand there are dogs that will live in the house, but that does not mean they can't go outside, or even long to go outside. Dogs have to have that element in their lives or it is wasting them. Ask your friends if they want to be in the house all of the time......love the dog, play with the dog, feed and water the dog, exercise the dog, etc. whether you do that inside 90% of the time or vice versa, so long as you are attending to the dog's needs, then you are doing the right thing. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

As far as the bedding, why would dirt not be sufficient? Try small pebbles, bark shavings, etc.

Try hay or straw. Cheap, insulating, easy to change. You can get it at a feed store. It costs me about $5 for a huge bale.

My first dog never came in the house. I was 12, my parents didn't believe pets came in the house. She had a big yard, garage, squishy old couch for a bed, and me to play with every day. If you spend time with your dog, no reason why it can't live outside as long as you have adequate food, water and shelter. Only you can determine if you give your dog enough attention and are meeting his needs (psychological too).

I'm in San Diego, so I didn't have to worry about weather extremes. You may need to think about that depending where you live.

Like Roz stated, you might want to consider the weather in your area. I live in Southern Utah. We have extreme winter and summer seasons, with relatively stable spring and fall seasons. To help shade the dog, I covered the top of the kennel with a water resistant tarp, tied down to the kennel. I also make sure she has plenty of water in the kennel. She is fed at night when in the garage. In the winter, during the day, the dog will most likely have a small dog house in the shelter, so she may keep warm if it was to snow.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Hi

Our GSD sleeps in the garage on a dog bed next to his puppy pal, and during the day they run and play in the yard. When we leave they are put in the kennel which has gravel (crushed). Its clean and drains well (I am in Oregon). We tried large bark chips but replacing them was hard. Our GSD only comes in twice a day for about an hour each time, any longer and he wants back out or he and the puppy start finding things to get into. Do you think that maybe your GSD somewhere along the line associated coming in the house with going for a walk? I know my young dog started associating coming in the house with going for a walk over the summer. I forgot last weekend and he was so depressed when he was brought in the house for a visit and not a walk.

Right now my kennel run is grass/dirt till next spring. My dog has a dog door into the garage pen where her house is. She's in the house about 10-15 mins a day just for house scociolizing with family and grandkids but I spend 10-20 mins a day, 4-5 times a day with her training/play/grooming time. She loves the outside. If you spend the time with your dog it is definately NOT a waste of a good dog.

the breeze, the sun, the bird... the everything... who wants to stay inside when weather is right? Remind u, for him, there is no TV, no video game, no computer... no nothing when stay inside! You family just want to pet him whenever they feel like it, but it's SO boring for this little kid!