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Worried about ranch dog

O

OregonCountry

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 16, 2008
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87
Location
Oregon
I did post this under dogs and horses also but we are having 21 degree weather here and I work for the property owners. They have a blue heeler that I take care of, as well as some other animals. I am not allowed to bring her into my trailer and I am worried that the weather is going too cold for her. I have made some improvements to her "run". She has a shed but I cleaned it and put in carpet, a pallet up off the ground with a warm sleeping bag for her bed. I hope someone knows for sure about this breed as I found everything about them except "how cold can they survive in".

I appreciate anything someone might share with me. If I have to I will go to battle with these people to be able to bring her in with me but I need "facts" to give them. And if she's fine out there, I will atleast know for sure. Im not a rancher and neither are these folks I work for but figured ranchers with herd dogs would know. denise
 
We kept our dogs outside in northern Alberta.

I used to pile the straw into the dog house - I filled it - they burrowed in.

Then I went to a heated dog kennel.

Both seemed to work fine

BC
 
ask for straw but nothing yet. I just talked to them outside while was checkin on moochee and letting her run. They said the trailer was too small and I couldn't bring her in. I told derrell, the owner, that he had enough hair on him too and he should sleep out there. I don't care if they are ticked or not. They laughed so I guess their not. She seemed fine. I am just so soft-hearted and want the facts on animals in cold weather.

Thank you for your response, really appreciate it. Are you in Canada now? All my ancestors, mom, dad, grandmother(all of them)are from Canada. I was born in Oregon. I've been up there though and it is goreous.

denise




Broke Cowboy said:
We kept our dogs outside in northern Alberta.

I used to pile the straw into the dog house - I filled it - they burrowed in.

Then I went to a heated dog kennel.

Both seemed to work fine

BC
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OregonCountry said:
ask for straw but nothing yet. I just talked to them outside while was checkin on moochee and letting her run. They said the trailer was too small and I couldn't bring her in. I told derrell, the owner, that he had enough hair on him too and he should sleep out there. I don't care if they are ticked or not. They laughed so I guess their not. She seemed fine. I am just so soft-hearted and want the facts on animals in cold weather.

Thank you for your response, really appreciate it. Are you in Canada now? All my ancestors, mom, dad, grandmother(all of them)are from Canada. I was born in Oregon. I've been up there though and it is goreous.

denise

Well I sure can't spell:(




Broke Cowboy said:
We kept our dogs outside in northern Alberta.

I used to pile the straw into the dog house - I filled it - they burrowed in.

Then I went to a heated dog kennel.

Both seemed to work fine

BC
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
They need to give the dog to someone who'll take care of her better sounds like it to me.


I've got Heelers, Aussies and even when it's icy and cold here, they sleep in the basement. Their reg houses are insulated, with hay, blankets, carpet, etc.
 
We're having the same problems here. :roll: :roll: Our dogs have a house made out of square flax bales that is filled with straw, nice and deep, and has the door covered to keep the wind out.

Will they sleep in it? No they will not. :roll: They use it well when the weather is not too cold, but the last few days have been beyond cold. They are insisting in coming into the unheated porch on the back of the house. One of our dogs is a former house dog, who just will not give up the dream of sleeping on a real bed. The Shepherd does what she does.

So I gave in, and locked them in the porch for the night, gave them some blankets to sleep on, and turned on a space heater. That made them happy. I'm worried about tonight though, because the breaker blew on the circuit last night, and I can't trust the heater any more. It looks like Sophie may get her wish yet. 8) But she's not getting a bed, she's getting the basement instead. :)

Would your employers know if you sneaked her in at night? It's at night that they seem to feel the cold the most because they're not running around. If she does have to stay out, then I'd get straw for her. Blankets get damp, and lose their insulating ability pretty quick in the cold.
 
Living/work situation and I know if I leave they would most likely let me take moochee with me. I honestly think that she is fine. She has all you mentioned except hay. I know they'll get the straw I've asked for. I would not allow her to stay outside if I had a say in it. I don't though and all I can do right now is provide what I can to insure she is ok.

Thank you for your reply, I appreciate it a lot, denise
PS Their sister lived in this trailer before me and she died. Moochee was her dog and they never would let her bring her in either. They have little dogs in their house but they don't truly care about moochee other than providing food and such for her. She is doing good though and I go out often to let her run. She is deaf and they were afraid to let her run around. But she stays close to me:) She's much happier and healthier since I took over her care:) They are a little older than I, 61 and 65. Just not the "play with the dogs types". Ok, enough outa me.



kolanuraven said:
They need to give the dog to someone who'll take care of her better sounds like it to me.


I've got Heelers, Aussies and even when it's icy and cold here, they sleep in the basement. Their reg houses are insulated, with hay, blankets, carpet, etc.
Click to expand...
 
She is protected from the wind. I've read today about blue heelers and they are "people" dogs, aren't they all?? Anyway, she wants to be with me. I don't know about "sneaking" her in. If I lose my job here Im not going to be able to do anything to take care of her:(

God bless, denise

Kato said:
We're having the same problems here. :roll: :roll: Our dogs have a house made out of square flax bales that is filled with straw, nice and deep, and has the door covered to keep the wind out.

Will they sleep in it? No they will not. :roll: They use it well when the weather is not too cold, but the last few days have been beyond cold. They are insisting in coming into the unheated porch on the back of the house. One of our dogs is a former house dog, who just will not give up the dream of sleeping on a real bed. The Shepherd does what she does.

So I gave in, and locked them in the porch for the night, gave them some blankets to sleep on, and turned on a space heater. That made them happy. I'm worried about tonight though, because the breaker blew on the circuit last night, and I can't trust the heater any more. It looks like Sophie may get her wish yet. 8) But she's not getting a bed, she's getting the basement instead. :)

Would your employers know if you sneaked her in at night? It's at night that they seem to feel the cold the most because they're not running around. If she does have to stay out, then I'd get straw for her. Blankets get damp, and lose their insulating ability pretty quick in the cold.
Click to expand...
 
All herding dogs are PEOPLE loving dogs BIG TIME.

Sounds like these people need to sleep outside in the cold themselves with nothing to keep warm.


I won't get started on this......cause I can get real caustic about people like what you describe.


Sneak that dog in the house and keep your mouth shut, they'll never know.
 
bringing her into a heated trailer might be worse. If I sneak her in, I have to put her back out. I don't think that is the most loving thing for her either. I'll take all of what I learn from folks today and apply what I feel is best for moochee.

Thank you for your reply, denise


kolanuraven said:
All herding dogs are PEOPLE loving dogs BIG TIME.

Sounds like these people need to sleep outside in the cold themselves with nothing to keep warm.


I won't get started on this......cause I can get real caustic about people like what you describe.


Sneak that dog in the house and keep your mouth shut, they'll never know.
Click to expand...
 
My 86 year old bachelor uncle lives on the old homestead alone except for his border collie... Now he has had Border collies for years (since the 40's)- but he's always considered them outside dogs and wouldn't let them in the house...He has a good doghouse thats packed with straw...

The other night when it got down to 30 Below and 60 Below chill factor he called me and said he thought he'd let his dog in for the night...Last night when I talked to him- he'd spent the afternoon making her a nest in one of the rooms- and sounded pretty happy as he told me that while he sat in his recliner and watched tv she always came over and put her head on his knee...
Something tells me that old dog might get to live the life of a house dog from now on.... :wink: :D
 
My dogs have a plastic barrel with straw and shelter from the wind. They are fine. They come with me to Moms for coffee and a game of ball but can't wait to get back out and play in the snow..

Oh ya we had -40 wind chills.
Don't worry about the heeler. sounds like you have made a good house for it. If I put a old jacket or carpet in for my dogs they just pull it out and rip it up. :roll:
 
Dogs are pretty tough. A good out of the wind shelter with some sort of cozy insulation, ie. straw is what most "out door" dogs need especially when not in the extreme cold. Wherever they spend the night if they are expected to be outside all day don't keep it too warm. Having said all that every breed is different and my 19 year old border collie spent his last three years sleeping in the house even in the summer. By that point he was a pet and no longer a working dog. Helped with his last preg testing this fall (more hindrance than help). What I was going to say was even in this extreme cold our Great Pyrenees is out sleeping in the barley bunches with the cows. She has access to a good dog house on either side of our house and still can be found snoozing in a snow pile. Go figure!!
 
As long as the dog house is dry, isnt drafty and has an old rug or blanket over the door to keep wind from blowing in and good bedding to snuggle in she will be fine at 20 degrees. If wind chills got down to 20-30 below zero then bringing her in mite be good during the nite as long as the trailer isnt too warm because putting back out would be harder on her then. I use to keep all my Aussies outside all the time but getting 'soft' in my old age and they live in the house now...are good company for me...gives me somebody to talk to. :D
 
In one of your pics posted you show a little bitty dog.


Does this one have to stay outside also since no dogs are allowed in the trailer?
 
Up in Barrow, Ak the locals kept the sled dogs (looked like mongrels) staked out in the yard with no cover at all. The dogs would dig a hole in the snow to stay warm, and get fed and watered once a day. Most fed them a hunk of frozen caribou meat........................

Hope nobody from Peta goes up there..........................

Dogs must be tough?????????????
 
They are getting straw today and I believe in my heart, that moochee is fine. I've just never had outside pets. I would love to have her with me but they just won't allow it. She does have a good place and I can rig a light like someone else suggested:) God bless and thank you so much:) denise in oregon


Oldtimer said:
My 86 year old bachelor uncle lives on the old homestead alone except for his border collie... Now he has had Border collies for years (since the 40's)- but he's always considered them outside dogs and wouldn't let them in the house...He has a good doghouse thats packed with straw...

The other night when it got down to 30 Below and 60 Below chill factor he called me and said he thought he'd let his dog in for the night...Last night when I talked to him- he'd spent the afternoon making her a nest in one of the rooms- and sounded pretty happy as he told me that while he sat in his recliner and watched tv she always came over and put her head on his knee...
Something tells me that old dog might get to live the life of a house dog from now on.... :wink: :D
Click to expand...
 
she is fine. Im just new around dogs being kept outside:) They are buying the straw today(much better than the sleeping bag she tore up:)

Ive also read much about the blue heeler. Bred to stand up against the harsh climates in Australia:)

God bless and thank you, denise in Oregon
Mike said:
Up in Barrow, Ak the locals kept the sled dogs (looked like mongrels) staked out in the yard with no cover at all. The dogs would dig a hole in the snow to stay warm, and get fed and watered once a day. Most fed them a hunk of frozen caribou meat........................

Hope nobody from Peta goes up there..........................

Dogs must be tough?????????????
Click to expand...
 

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