How do I get a very large dog to go into a dog house? (Apparently a new experience for him!)

Welcome to the forums!

You're going to find most of us here don't believe in having "purely outside dogs." Most people on these forums believe that dogs need to be allowed inside with the family, particularly in extreme weather.

If that is not an option for you, I would do a couple of things. Get some really cozy, soft, warm bedding that he really likes and make sure the dog house is fully lined. Then reward him every time he goes near the house. Clicker training would be super for this - he takes a step towards the house, you click and treat. He takes another step towards the house, C/T again. When he goes all the way inside the house, he gets a click and LOTS of treats.

Also make sure the dog house is big enough for him, that there's enough light (some dogs don't seem to enjoy dark little niches, and that there's enough ventilation.

You can also try feeding him his meals in the dog house.

Of course IMO, the best option would be to let the dog inside so he doesn't get cold. But if that's completely not an option...
 

Cita--Thanks for the reply.  Yes, I picked up from reading several threads the anti-outside-dog vibe.  However, we have 12 inside cats (all strays/shelter/rescues--several with major medical concerns), and 9 dogs now (again, all strays/shelters/rescues), and the majority of the dogs are fairly large breeds, and several were 'farm' dogs that we took in when their owners died--they've been outside all their lives.  Also, some of the dogs would kill the cats!!!  We do provide appropriately sized dog houses--I just went and bought 3 more new extra-large ones recently, so they all have their choice, and they are in an extremely sheltered location.  We have more houses than dogs, and they are all kept cleaned and well-strawed.  In addition, in very cold weather, we heat up the microwave heating discs (Snuggle Safe?) and put in their houses.  So, unfortunately, I feel that we are doing the best we can as far as them not being inside dogs (we have 1 inside dog currently--we lost 2 others last year to medical problems).  We have a wonderful relationship with our vet, and also with the Univ. of MO Vet. Hospital/School--even though they are outside, they are extremely well cared for.

 Elroy has just been here 9 weeks (he had apparently been in an abusive environment, but is starting to get over it now)  and has had no need yet to go in a dog house--we have a huge covered porch with tons of their dog beds/pillows where they all spend their time. 

I will try your idea of clicker/rewards training--also, I will put one of their pillows close to the houses and try to encourage him to use it at night.  Maybe that will help him transition to the dog house himself.  I've got some smaller dog beds/pillows that I can try in the dog house--however, straw is the best insulator normally.

Thank you again for your suggestions--I'm sorry if I sound a little defensive about the inside/outside thing.  I agree, ideally all animals should be inside.  However, many of the ones we have wouldn't have a home at all, if they weren't here.  And our babies are all totally spoiled!!!  Also, we live way out in the boonies--2 miles from the nearest road, 3/4th mile from the nearest neighbor, and we have a lot of acreage--we do a lot of hiking with the babies in the fall/winter/spring (summer has too many ticks and other problems!).

Again, thanks--I appreciate your suggestions.  Elroy is the sweetest boy--when we saw him coming down the lane I told my husband it was either a very large dog or a small pony!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Janet

Cita--I didn't say--I love the pictures of Rascal!  He reminds me of my Mitchie--a little miniature American Eskimo we found as a stray when she was already an old girl.  We were blessed with her for 9 more years.  She was my faithful little companion--she was one of the dogs we lost last Christmastime, we lost her to 'doggie alzheimers' (canine cognitive disfunction ).  You are so lucky to have your Rascal!!

Thanks again--Janet

 This is the first winter that my dogs are spending outside.  Previous to this, they slept inside every night.  This year however, we will be doing alot of all day outdoor things and I think it would be cruel not to let them build full winter coats.  And that is what happens when they sleep inside every night.  I haven't as of yet built dog houses and the dog won't technically be sleeping in them when I do build them.  They will be for day use if they feel so inclined.  Currently they sleep in our uninsulated porch in their regular crates.  I will have to build houses for them off the back of the porch more appropriate to their sizes but so far its not that cold. 

I have been told that if it gets cold enough a dog will seek shelter.  If your dog is staked to his doghouse and has not access to other shelter, he should eventually go in on his own.  And once he figures it out, he'll go in whenever he feels chilled.  If he's willing to go in for treats, I don't think he's terrified of it.  He just doesn't 'get' that he's supposed to sleep in it. 

Hi! Thanks for your input. I think that you're probably correct about dogs going into shelter when they get cold enough--althought I have gone out in the middle of the night before in freezing weather and gently convinced some of our other babies that they needed to go into their house!!!  Although I'm sure that our weather here in mid-Missouri is nothing like up where you are!!!

I think that you're also correct about the coat situation--needing cold to fully develop. 

Elroy has not shown any signs of being cold yet--there are some places on the porce he can currently go that provide a little shelter, and I hope that you are right about him using the dog houses when he gets cold enough. He's definitely not scared of them--you're right about him just not 'getting' it!!!  I'll keep working with him on the treats--and the other babies keep showing him about using them.  Maybe we'll have success!!

Thanks again for your response--good luck on your situation this winter!

Janet

If you can contain the other dogs somewhere else temporarily, or take Elroy to a different location, you could try to get him to go in to the dog house by tossing some really cool treats in for him - something really stinky like liverwurst or tripe (hold your nose for that one LOL).  Sometimes, a dog that has never been in a dog house (or an agility tunnel, or any other claustrophobic place) will not go in just to get warm.  The added enticement of food makes it seem like a more inviting place to be, and may get him over any initial discomfort with entering such a confining space.  Even just going in and out alone a couple of times might make him feel better about entering the house when it's one of many in the dog yard. 

Thanks for your ideas!! I'll keep working on the treats thrown in the very back of the doghouse--I'll go out right now and practice with him, and keep doing it several times a day!  The problem is that he can reach the back--of an extremely large dog house--by just putting his huge front paws in and reaching his neck back!!! 

However, maybe practice will make perfect!  At least he will feel comfortable with his head inside, so when it gets really, really cold he might be more willing to go all the way in!!

Thanks again--

Janet

 Plus I think once he does realize that the ambient temperature inside the doghouse is warmer than outside, he'll go in.  Even just sticking his head in will teach him that.  As long as he's not afraid... it should be fine.

Good luck to you too.