Dog Run

[borzoimom]

He can live without food for hours, but not water.
Years ago, I had a young dobie- I had a crate in the kitchen for a bed, but basically she stayed in the kitchen with a HUGE ceremic water bowl. One night coming home from work, they had a huge accident- to make a long story short, I did not get home but 4 hours later than normal. Coming into the kitchen expecting only a hungry dog, instead I found my girl laying down, barely able to wag her stubby little tail. I looked at her and as I tried to figure out why she would not get up, I glanced at her water bowl. It was moved- and empty, and the rug near it was barely damp. I filled the water bowl, and she drank the WHOLE BOWL then threw up.
You prepare for the worst so the care meets the worse case scenio.. That is why my constant inquiries. Since then, I leave more water than any dog could drink. Unable to spill ( even my dog bowls here are in a elevated stand- but the stand is literally attached to something to keep them from being spilled. Also- keep in mind- if animal control drops by when you are not there, and its the one day in a million but the dog has no water, you will be charged with abuse... Worst case scenio- probably- but Murph's law is just that..

[3GSDMom]

I appreciate your concern but I've got it under control He always has water available to him. And as I explained, his dish is heavy and shaped in a way that makes it not easy to tip over. I bought it especially for that purpose. He is not outside for very long either. My mom just works down the street and often comes home throughout the day. Except for those few hours a day while we are working, he is inside with us. I guess I didn't really make that clear, he is NOT outside all the time. He is an inside dog.

[cyber-sibes]

Looks nice. Mine have a large bucket in their kennel and they have never knocked it over. The edges get chewed on, but that's about it. I don't know where you live, but we have cold winters here, and I found that a heated water bowl is a very good investment. Farm supply stores and some pet stores sell them. Personally, I'm happy to see you get an outdoor kennel for him while you are working. I know a lot of people don't like dogs in kennels, but I'll tell you what - I feel much better knowing mine are outside enjoying fresh air, sunshine, birds singing, and have plenty of room to stretch out and move around when I'm gone as opposed to being locked in a small crate in a house all day. My guess is that he will soon love being in it.

[3GSDMom]

Personally, I'm happy to see you get an outdoor kennel for him while you are working. I know a lot of people don't like dogs in kennels, but I'll tell you what - I feel much better knowing mine are outside enjoying fresh air, sunshine, birds singing, and have plenty of room to stretch out and move around when I'm gone as opposed to being locked in a small crate in a house all day. My guess is that he will soon love being in it.

That is exactly my view on it. I can't be with him every second of the day (need to make money to spoil him rotten ) so I feel that this is my best choice. I can go to work without worrying about him being in his crate and he..well doesnt have to be in his crate.