Chiweenies are amazing dogs, but let’s be honest, Chiweenies can be pretty annoying sometimes! So, a question you may be asking is, “Can Chiweenie live outside?”
Chiweenies cannot live outside. Chiweenies are prone to separation anxiety and can’t handle the cold or extreme heat, so unless you live in a moderate climate and plan on living with your Chiweenie, Chiweenies cannot and should not live outside.
How Long Can A Chiweenie Stay Outside?
I wouldn’t leave my Chiweenie out for more than 8 hours at a time. If your Chiweenie stays any longer than that, I suggest letting him in every once in a while to give him some resting time.
Remember, he should always have enough food and water no matter how long he stays outside or what temperature it is outside. Never give your Chiweenie any time to get hungry or dehydrated.
Can Chiweenies Sleep Outside?
Chiweenies cannot sleep outdoors. Again, Chiweenies have separation anxiety, so they will develop bad behaviors like excessive howling, barking, and tearing up the house and yard when they are away from their owners.
It can also get fairly cold at night, especially if you live in a colder climate, which Chiweenies cannot handle. Also, note that there are often predators (like mountain lions if you live where I do) in the night who can carry your Chiweenie away.
Considerations Before Leaving Your Chiweenie Outside
Okay, Chiweenies can’t sleep or stay outside for more than 8 hours at a time, but what if I’m going somewhere and have to leave him outside?
There a.re a few things you must consider. Those three things are the food and water you have, ticks, fleas and other pests, and the outside temperature. Let’s look at each one.
Food & Water Supply
Make extra sure that your Chiweenie has plenty of food and water when he’s outside, especially if it’s hot outside.
If it’s very cold outside, I recommend keeping the food and water indoors so it doesn’t freeze over, but also in reach so he can have some whenever he wants some.
If its very hot on the other hand, consider adding a few ice cubes into your dog’s water so it can stay cool. If you can, have someone to check on the water and add more ice cubes when it begins to get hot.
Ticks, Fleas & Other Pests
Bugs like fleas and ticks are a big problem when you take your dog outside, even during the winter.
While you might think ticks and fleas aren’t a very big problem in the cold, you’re sorely mistaken. You see, ticks and fleas can handle extreme temperatures, but they don’t like the cold very much, so they gravitate to warm places which are typically animals, like your Chiweenie!
If you think you’re having trouble with these pests, consider getting a tick and flea repellent.
The Outside Temperature
The outside temperature is also a big consideration when it comes to taking your Chiweenie outside.
Chiweenies cannot handle extreme temperatures (especially the extreme cold) and will tend to have some big-time problems if they are left out in it for too long.
This is why I recommend that you look at the forecast if you’re going to leave for a while before you leave your house. This way, you’ll know what temperatures you should expect and whether it’s actually safe to take your Chiweenie outside at all.
Caring For Your Chiweenie In The Heat
So, how do I care for a Chiweenie in the heat? Well, first, add ice to the water as I mentioned earlier in this article.
Second, find a place for your Chiweenie to rest. This might be your garage, a dog house, or just a shaded area. Just make sure that your Chiweenie has a place to rest whenever he feels like it.
Lastly, spray your Chiweenie with a flea and tick repellent. Fleas and ticks are very prevalent in the heat (and Spring especially) and your dog will likely come across them while you’re gone.
Caring For Your Chiweenie In The Cold
Great, I know how to care for my Chiweenie in the heat, but what if it’s going to be cold while I’m gone? What to I do then?
First, take their food and water bowl inside as mentioned earlier. The food and water will often get frozen if it’s very cold outside, especially in the night.
Second, find a warm place for your Chiweenie to stay when he’s cold. This is preferably a dog house, but a garage will do as well.
Lastly, ticks and fleas are still a worry, so consider getting a tick and flea repellent as well.
Fun Outside Activities For Your Chiweenie
What are some fun outdoor activities for me and my Chiweenie? There are many fun activities, but I recommend these four.
They are going for a walk, playing fetch, geocaching, and going to a dog park. Let’s look at each one.
Walks
I know, I know. Walking is a very common activity that most dog owners will do, but it all has to do with where you walk!
Walking your dog down your street probably won’t be very fun, but if you’re walking in the forest or on the beach, then that is a different story!
Walking is also full of experiences for your Chiweenie. Your Chiweenie will encounter other dogs, animals, and new smells that he has never smelled before.
Fetch
Fetch is also a very common activity, but I think it’s still a fun activity for you and your Chiweenie.
Playing fetch will, of course, entertain you and your Chiweenie, but will also give your dog the exercise he needs.
Geocaching
Geocaching isn’t as popular as the other two above, but I believe it’s an activity you should consider doing.
If you don’t know what geocaching is, it is an “outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called ‘geocaches’ or “caches,’ at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world,” according to Wikipedia.
In other words, geocaching is basically a treasure hunt, only the treasures are things that multiple people have put in the box and typically aren’t very valuable, and when you find a “treasure box,” you add something in it as well.
Geocaching is a fun experience for both you and your dog. Your Chiweenie can see and smell things in the geocaches that other people have put in them and may even see other dogs and animals on the way to the geocache.
Going To A Dog Park
Sometimes, you may just need to set up a play date (or you can go alone if you’d like) at a dog park with a friend or family member that has a dog.
Going to a dog park can be a lot of fun for you and your Chiweenie. Chiweenies can meet and play with other dogs, and you can meet other people.
Dog parks aren’t perfect, however, and can cause you and your dog to have a lot of problems. For instance, dogs can develop behavioral problems if you’re not careful.
When you leave your dog in a large playing area to let him free, your dog can develop the idea that you have no control over him and that he can do what he wants when he wants.
This is a serious problem and can cause you and/or your dog to get hurt. So, should you actually go to a dog park? It’s really up to you. I recommend studying dog parks a little more before you make any final decision.
Should My Chiweenie Be On A Leash?
Personally, I would keep my Chiweenie on a leash when he’s in an open area. My Chiweenie, Miles, is very disobedient and would run away from us (he will eventually come back though) in a heartbeat if he had the opportunity, and I’d hate to think of what would happen if we went somewhere far away from home and he ran away.
Chiweenies are generally thought to be loyal, however. This is proof that it depends on the individual more than the breed (or designer breed in this case).
Do Chiweenies Like Going Outside?
My Chiweenie loves going outside with his favorite buddy, Lexi, to lie in the sun, and bark at cars, people, other animals, and dogs.
However, your Chiweenie may be different. Like I said, it really depends on the individual. My Chiweenie likes going outside, but yours may not.
Just make sure that your Chiweenie isn’t outside for too long. While Chiweenies like going outside, they can get hurt if they stay out for too long.
Conclusion
So, can Chiweenies live outside? Unfortunately, no, but they can go outside, and mine loves it!
So, do you know a Chiweenie? If so, what do you like to do outside with him? Let me know in the comment section below!
