It’s likely that if you own a dog, you both enjoy spending time outside on sunny days. The majority of dogs do enjoy being outside, regardless of the breed, where you live—in an apartment, a house, the city, or the country. The duration of a dog’s time outdoors will be examined in this article.
The answer to this question depends on the weather, your dog’s breed, age, the length of his or her hair coat, and general health. The majority of dogs prefer to spend time outside, whether hiking, walking, playing, or simply taking in the sights and sounds of the natural world. Dogs should spend at least a half-hour each day outside, but the amount of time depends on the dog and other factors.
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As soon as you reach for their leashes or open the back door, dogs begin to exhibit an unmistakable twinkle in their eyes. That’s because they are aware that they will soon be taking advantage of the fresh air and sunshine. Dogs, after all, have an endless supply of interesting smells to track down when they’re outside, squirrels to chase, sunny patches to relax in, and, of course, stinky mud puddles to roll around in.
Despite the fact that dogs enjoy being outside, it’s best to bring them inside before bed to spend time with your family. But if it’s hot or cold outside, you might be wondering how long you can leave your dog outside without risking harm. The solution is a little trickier than you might think and depends on the requirements, health, and breed of your particular dog. Here, we look at how to know when to bring your dog inside after a day of outdoor play.
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and their breed can influence how long you can leave them outside without fear. While smaller, single-coated, and hairless dogs can spend more time outside on sunny days but not in the cold, larger dogs with thick coats may enjoy outdoor romps for longer periods in chilly temperatures.
While small puppies can spend a few hours outside in temperatures between 60oF and 90oF, Dr. Wooten.
Due to their thick double coats, medium to large dog breeds like the Siberian Husky, Samoyed, Malamute, Newfoundland, and Bernese Mountain Dog can withstand extremely cold temperatures. As a result, they can spend up to an hour outdoors in temperatures below 32 °F, according to Dr Wooten. As long as they are acclimated, healthy arctic breeds can remain outside in the cold for an unlimited amount of time.
“The long guard hairs that form the outer layer of fur protect against snow or ice and can even shed water; the soft undercoat lies close to the skin and keeps a dog warm and dry,” says Alexandra Bassett, CPDT-KA, Lead Trainer & Behavior Specialist for Dog Savvy Los Angeles. While these double-coated dogs shed their undercoats in the summer to stay cooler, don’t leave them out for long in very warm temperatures above 90ºF.
Livestock-guarding breeds, who are typically medium to large in size can stay out for longer spans of time when the weather is temperate, between 60ºF and 90ºF, especially if they have a job to keep them busy, recommends dog trainer Danielle Mühlenberg of Pawleaks.
What About Backyard Time?
However, unless you and your dog are actively exercising outside by playing games like fetch or working on agility courses, you shouldn’t solely rely on your backyard to provide your dog with outdoor exposure.
For both physical and mental stimulation, taking daily walks in different locations is essential. In actuality, a lot of undesirable behaviors in dogs are brought on by boredom or excessive energy, which causes stress.
Additionally, avoid isolating your dog for an extended period of time because you don’t want him to destroy your yard out of boredom or separation anxiety. Sending your dog outside to chew on your indoor pillows and furniture isn’t a helpful solution to the issue. Instead, try to identify the reason behind the destructive habits. Allow your dog to isolate himself to a safe space by choice rather than relegating him to the backyard if Fido is acting out because of anxiety.
How many hours a day should a dog be outside?
According to PetMD, the majority of dogs benefit from between 30 minutes and two hours of physical activity each day. Although it can be done all at once, most people spread it out over two or three daily walks.
FAQ
Should dogs be outside all day?
Even though your pet is trained and enjoys the outdoors, that doesn’t guarantee his safety. When your dog is left outside alone, he faces numerous risks, including adverse weather, poisonous plants or chemicals, and animal attacks.
How often should I let my dog go outside?
If you wait any longer between bathroom breaks, they might have an accident. Take your puppy outside frequently—at least once every two hours—as well as when they first wake up, play, and consume food or liquids.