should a maltese x shitzu sleep inside

by Janene
(QLD Australia)

Hi just wondering should this breed sleep always inside? I live on the Gold Coast in Australia. I have had my puppy nearly two weeks and she has been sleeping inside in her play pen. She is basically toilet trained already at 11 weeks old and goes to the door when she needs to do her business.

As my partner and I do shift work it would be better she sleeps outside so I an not up or have to get up all the time to take her outside. Otherwise I am thinking to get a doggy door.

I would ideally like her to be able to be left outside but also when I am home for her to be with us inside.





Hi Janene
All dogs do better inside with their owners, the extremes in temperature, the 'stuff' they can get into, and other potential risks and pitfalls make it unwise to keep a dog outside all the time.

It's also not good for them as they get lonely, bored, destructive and it interferes with bonding and socialization. If getting up to let her out is interfering with your sleep too much (and with shift work I can see how this would happen), I'd recommend the first best option would be to get a crate for her. Crate Training A Puppy is a quick and effective way to housebreak a puppy.

Because your little girl is already understanding what you want her to do and she's got some control of her bladder/bowels, she should be able to 'hold it' in her crate for a few hours and let you sleep.

Failing that, a doggie door would be the next best thing, but make sure the area she gets outside into is fully fenced and totally safe for her. That way she can let herself out and in without safety issues and you can sleep.

Hope this helps, best of luck with your pup