Indoor to outdoor dog

I guys, I've just joined this forum today, quite exciting.
So I've got an issue on my hand and i was wondering if anyone can give me any tips. Me and my partner have recently split, and he does not want to co-own our beautiful Staffy-Bull terrier cross called Milli (stands for millionaire). He's decided to give him up because he doesn't feel like he can look after him. Milli is now mine, and I'm beyond grateful!! Only issue is he will be living with me, I live at home and my parents do not want him in the house. No way of negotiating with them either, it's a religion thing. This means that milli will be an outside dog.. I'm worried to my core and don't want to leave him outside but I don't have a choice. My house is fenced so thats a plus, but I'm worried about him sleeping outside at night. He's use to living in an apartment, walked twice a day plus numerous other activities and having the comfort of sleeping inside by the heater. I'm building him a kennel, a huge one so he has lots of room, I'm going to lay carpet in the entire interior of the kennel so he's warm and dry. Tones of blankets and a heater so he stays warm. But I don't feel like thats enough, I don't want him to be sad and lonely at night or feel neglected. I care about him more then anything in this world so if anyone can help me with any tips on how I can make the transition a lot easier?? Has anyone ever had to do this? take their dog from an indoor environment to an outdoor one?? what can i do? I'm prepared to sleep outside with him for the first week or so..that way he won't be too lonely. I really need advice from someone who has been in a similar situation. Are Staffy-Bull terriers built for the outdoors? His kennel I'm building will be water proof and sheltered, my dad's helping me with it, he's great with things like this. This is very difficult and I feel torn for my Milli. =( Oh and I live in New Zealand, its heading into summer but we still get rain every now and then; the weather has a mind of it's own over here.

Welcome

It sounds like the kennel will be warm enough, but to be honest, I don't think it'd be very good for a type of dog like a Staff, since they love human attention and everything. I mean, I might be wrong, someone with more experience might correct me, but I know that Loki loves sitting next to us 24/7 and loves getting stroked all the time. He'd still need walking two or three times a day, plus playtime and training/mental stimulation. If he's not allowed in the house, you'll be spending a lot of time outside with him if you want to keep him happy. Plus a lot of toys would be good to keep him from getting bored.

I think that if it is a temporary thing, he will be ok. Do you see your living situation as long term or short? Some dogs have been able to make the switch but it will be hard for him at first. Welcome to the forum!

Hi &

Welcome to the staffordshire bull terrier niceboard. We are pleased you have decided to join us, and hope you enjoy your stay. We hope to see plenty of pictures of your staffordshire bull terriers or any other breed you may have in your household

If you would like to enter your dog(s), puppy(s) or another pet(s) you may have into our Monthly Competition, voting starts on the 20th of every month, if you are lucky your dog maybe placed on our Hall Of Fame page on our website.

Just one last thing before you look around could you please just have a quick look At This Poll, we would love to know how you found us.

Here are some links that will get you started with the website:-

Please read the Forum Rules before you start posting.
Here are a List of Tutorial & FAQs that will help you around the forum.
You can ask for Help here if you are having trouble doing something on the forum.
How to update your Profile information
If you have any ideas to improve the forum please let us know Your Feedback Here.
We have a Website with alot of information if you would like to view it.
Make a Donation to help us to keep improving our forum and website.

Hi and welcome from us and Suki. If the kennel is climate controlled he should be okay. They do crave human companionship so the adjustment will be a little hard for him and he may misbehave a bit.

I can't really comment on advice for a transition but I do know that we have members whose dogs are outside dogs. To be honest and I don't mean to offend I don't agree with it as I believe staffs are 100% for human attention but it seems to be places like Australia , NZ and also closer to us Ireland it is a lot more common. It does sound like you are taking all the neccessary steps to make him comfy so I can only suggest lots of attention and toys to keep him occupied and see how it goes. Hopefully one of our other members can come along and guide you bettere but I think generally we are talking about people with dogs that have always been outside dogs

Hi & welcome to the forum

Hello and welcome to the forum

Hi & welcome.

I think they can make the transition, but you'll have to be prepared for a fair bit of noise! If he gets lonely or if he hears something strange, he will create a noisy fuss!

Also, even a large, well built & climate controlled kennel will not be enough to keep a stafford happy & healthy. He'll still need his regular walks and a lot of human interraction to keep him content.

You say it's a religion thing? Does that mean he isn't allowed inside at all, or only at night?

Hello and welcome from Tyson & me.

Great advice given, hi and welcome from me and Moo

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me.

Would there be any chance of you moving out of your parents place with the dog anytime soon? If you do decide to sleep out there with him for a few weeks he may get used to you being there then once you go back inside he will start to cry for your attention.

Hi and welcome from me, Millie and Bella

welcome

hi from me and the boys

no real ideas on this personally, but i would think if he's going to make the transition you might be better off not sleeping outside with him to start with as the way i see it he'd be having to cope with 2 changes of situation. from being inside as he's used to, then outside with you keeping him company, and then just when he's setteling into that idea all of a sudden he's out on his own. i would go straight to him outside on his own personally. as for him coping outside i reaaly couldn't say as i have no experiance or knowledge about that sort of thing. sounds like your going to make it as comfy as possible for him though so good luck.

hia from me and sasha

Poor you Tila, you must be worried to death and under enough stress without this! I think it will be difficult as Milli has obviously been used to being with you. It is likely that Milli will suffer some separation anxiety being away from you. All I can suggest is putting clothes that you have worn in the kennel with him and a concealed radio or something so that it isn't so silent for him. Other than that I just dont know. Welcome to you both from us!

photos of Milli

he loves sleeping on his back! =D

his wee is like a work of art! so cheeky!!

milli when we just got him =)

he loves cuddles

He's absolutely gorgeous, a real sweetie!

Thank you for everyones advice, its really helped me decide what I should do. I love Milli and I would never want him to be unhappy, you are all right, him being outside is not best for him. No matter how warm or safe his shelter will be, it's my attention he will want. Even if i was to take him on his walks twice a day and our hikes 4 times a week, it wouldn't be enough for him because there would still be a period of time he will alone in the evenings.. when its dark. It's not fair on him and he doesn't deserve it. I've sorted things out with my partner, we are going to co-own him. Milli will stay at his and I'll pick him up for all our walks, runs, hikes, adventure days etc. I'll get to see him everyday, when ever I want.
I can finally stop worrying and have a good night sleep! =)

I've posted some photos of Milli for everyone to see, I love him to bits!
Again thanks for everyones comments, and for welcoming me and Milli to this forum

Really cute Xx

Thanks Sheila! Enzo and Enya are beautiful!!

So pleased your sorted, think it'll be for the best, also good on your ex partner for having your dogs best interests at heart and you for being so considerate to Milli's needs, thts proper doggy love

Glad to hear you have managed to come to an agreement

Thanks Guys, I'm glad too, It's been a tough few days but Milli will now be okay and thats all that matters.

Great to hear that you have worked out something that will work!

He's beautiful.

Wish I had had advice for you, I'm glad some of the other members do. I can tell you want what's best for him.

Hi & welcome to the forum ><

Tila.h wrote:Thank you for everyones advice, its really helped me decide what I should do. I love Milli and I would never want him to be unhappy, you are all right, him being outside is not best for him. No matter how warm or safe his shelter will be, it's my attention he will want. Even if i was to take him on his walks twice a day and our hikes 4 times a week, it wouldn't be enough for him because there would still be a period of time he will alone in the evenings.. when its dark. It's not fair on him and he doesn't deserve it. I've sorted things out with my partner, we are going to co-own him. Milli will stay at his and I'll pick him up for all our walks, runs, hikes, adventure days etc. I'll get to see him everyday, when ever I want.
I can finally stop worrying and have a good night sleep! =)

I've posted some photos of Milli for everyone to see, I love him to bits!
Again thanks for everyones comments, and for welcoming me and Milli to this forum

What a lovely mummy you are putting his best intrests before your own

hi from me and milley
ah its a shame milli has to move out doors but hey least ur trying to make her as comfy as possible hope it wont be 4 ever as i know ours couldnt handle it as she wont even go out if it rains lol milli is so cute a lovely colour so good luck with it

hi and welcome from me and licks from troy what a little cutie glad you and ex partner sorted it for the dogs sake