Can Bernedoodles Live Outside? Here’s Why That’s a Terrible Idea

Bernedoodles are mainly bred to be inside dogs. However, some owners might have trouble with a Bernedoodle living inside the house, whether it’s because the dog might make a mess or there isn’t enough space, which leads them to consider making their dog live outside.

So, can Bernedoodles live outside? Bernedoodles can’t live outside. They won’t tolerate outdoor weather if it gets too cold or too hot, they might develop separation anxiety when left alone outside for too long, and they will also be at risk of getting stolen or running away.

Keep reading to learn more about the risks of leaving your Bernedoodle outside and how to leave it outside safely.

Are Bernedoodles Outside Dogs?

Bernedoodles are not outside dogs by nature since they’re mainly bred as companions and inside dogs.

You can let them stay outdoors to play, but only for short periods of time. It’s not a good idea to make them live outside permanently as it puts them at various risks.

If you’re going to leave your Bernedoodle outside, even for a short time, you will need to take some protective measures to ensure that it will be safe.

Why Should You Not Leave Your Bernedoodle Outside?

You should not leave your Bernedoodle outside for too long as you will be putting it at various risks. So, let’s discuss these risks in more detail:

The Dog Might Get Too Cold

Bernedoodles cannot usually tolerate cold weather as they might have thin coats that won’t keep them warm enough.

So, if you leave your dog outside for too long during winter, it might get too cold, which puts it at risk of getting sick with frostbite and hypothermia.

Signs that your Bernedoodle is getting too cold include excessive shivering, barking loudly, and decreased energy levels.

If you notice that your dog is getting too cold when it’s outside, it’s highly recommended to bring it inside the house and warm it up immediately.

You can learn how well Bernedoodles handle the cold weather here where I also discuss how cold is too cold for Bernedoodle and the different ways to keep your dog warm even in freezing conditions.

The Dog Might Get Too Hot

Bernedoodles cannot also tolerate hot weather as they don’t have sweat glands, so they cannot regulate their body temperature or cool down on their own. They might also have thick coats that will cause them to become overheated more quickly.

So, if you leave your dog outside too long during summer, it might get too hot, which will put it at risk of getting a heat stroke.

Signs that your Bernedoodle is getting too hot include excessive panting, drooling, extreme thirst, dizziness or disorientation, and decreased energy levels.

If you notice that your dog is getting too hot when it’s outside, it’s highly recommended to bring it inside the house and cool it down immediately.

The Dog Might Develop Separation Anxiety

Bernedoodles are highly social, and they can get extremely attached to their owners.

So, if you leave your Bernedoodle outside for too long, it might develop separation anxiety which will cause it to become destructive.

The Dog Might Get Stolen or Attempt to Run Away

If you leave your Bernedoodle outside and your property is not secure enough, someone might get in and steal your dog. Even if it’s secure, the dog may still be at risk of being stolen. 

Bernedoodles are rare and expensive dogs, which makes them a high-value target for robbers, and with the rise of dog theft incidents in the last few years, it’s very unsafe for any dog to stay outside. 

Your Bernedoodle might also attempt to run away to follow after you when you leave, especially if it develops separation anxiety.

They may also try to run outside to find a mate if they are not neutered or fixed. They may try to do so even if they are perfectly happy with you and you have a large fence.

The urge to mate is exceptionally powerful and can cause even the tamest of dogs to become escape artists. That’s why you should consider neutering or fixing your dog as neutering your dog will help them calm down.

How to Safely Leave Your Bernedoodle Outside?

If you have to leave your Bernedoodle outside for some time, you will need to take to some protective measures to ensure that it will be safe.

So, let’s discuss these measures in more detail:

Provide Your Dog with a Comfortable Shelter

You need to provide your Bernedoodle with a shelter or a dog house to stay in while it’s outside to protect it when the weather gets too cold or too hot. It will also allow it to rest.

Ensure that the shelter or dog house is big enough to fit your dog. Also, make sure that it has multiple openings so that the dog wouldn’t feel confined or isolated when it stays inside.

You can also put some bedding and blankets inside the shelter to make it more comfortable and some of your dog’s toys inside so it wouldn’t feel isolated or bored.

Make Sure to Watch Over Your Dog

You need to watch over your Bernedoodle while it’s outside to make sure that it’s safe since leaving it alone outside will put it at various risks.

You can either stay with your dog outside or watch over it from the window. If you won’t be at home, it’s recommended to ask someone else to watch over your dog while you’re gone, such as a close friend or a dog sitter.

Make Sure Your Dog Has Enough Food and Water

You need to leave your dog enough food and water while it’s outside so it won’t get too hungry or thirsty, especially if you’re going to leave it alone for some time.

You also need to leave the dog’s food and water bowls in a place that the dog can easily see and away from direct sunlight or dirt.

Prepare Your Dog for the Weather Outside

You need to prepare your dog for the weather outside to make sure it won’t get too cold or too hot.

If the weather is cold, make sure to dress your dog in a jacket and boots to help keep it warm. It’s also recommended to keep it away from any snow and to limit its time outside as much as possible.

If the weather is hot, make sure to apply sunscreen to your dog to prevent it from getting sunburned. It’s also recommended to make it stay in the shade and to give it some frozen treats to keep it cool.

Make Sure to Secure Your Property

You need to secure your property by setting up a fence around it to protect your dog from anyone who might try to steal it and also prevent it from running away.

Make sure that the fence is high enough so that the dog or intruders won’t be able to jump over it. Also, make sure that the fence is made from strong durable material so that it won’t be easy to bite or cut through.

Related Questions

How Long Can You Leave Bernedoodles Alone?

You can leave Bernedoodles alone for 2 hours at most when they’re puppies. Once they become adults, you will be able to leave them alone longer, for about 4 to 6 hours at most. If you leave them alone longer than 6 hours, they will start displaying some destructive behaviors.

How Tell That Your Bernedoodle Has Separation Anxiety?

You can tell that your Bernedoodle has separation anxiety by observing the changes in its behavior. It will become excessively clingy and will bark or whine whenever it’s left alone for some time. It will also display some destructive behaviors such as chewing on objects, pawing at the floor, and having potty accidents.

What Are the Main Types of Coats That Bernedoodles Can Have?

Bernedoodles can have three main types of coats which are curly coats, wavy coats, and straight coats. These types of coats have different characteristics, such as their length, texture, and shedding frequency. The type of coat you Bernedoodle will have will depend on its genetic makeup.

Helpful Resources 

There’s No Such Thing As An ‘Outdoor Dog’

Why outdoor dogs are unhappy

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