Inside or outside while at work?

[brjboxer]

I just recently joined BW as I will be taking Brando off my sister's hands in a week or so. I've been trying to figure out what to do with the poor guy while I'm at work for 8-10 hours a day. My back yard is fenced in so I could leave him out but my problem there is I live in the desert and right now when I leave for work it's a comfortable 60-65 degrees outside and when I come home, late at night, it can be anywhere from 40-20 degrees outside. Not to mention the desert wil cause me problems later with the over 100 degree weather during the day. There is one other annoying problem with my backyard and that's this annoying little stickers that I think are tumbleweed seeds or something, either way last time my sister brought him here they kept getting stuck in the pads of his paws. i would love to leave him inside while I'm at work but then what's the poor guy gonna do for the toilet? I've looked and looked at the options and can't figure out which way is best.... any ideas?

[Gatorblu]

Boxers are not really outside dogs. And a bored boxer outside will find a way to escape! How old is Brando? If he is and adult, he should be able to hold his bladder for 8 hrs. However if your gone 10 hours more often then not, I would get a dog walker to let him out during the day. Or maybe try doggie daycare a couple of times a week. Most dogs are so tired from playing at daycare that they sleep the entire next day. I hope this gives you sone nore options to think about.

[TinksDream]

Is a dog walker an option? If so then you could leave him inside and the dog walker could take him out for some playtime/potty break in the middle of the afternoon. My brother always just left his 2 inside while he and my sis-in-law went to work and never had a problem. I have dog door which I love, especially since when I work I'm gone for 13 hours so my two can go in and out whenever they want and have protection from the elements.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Caney Creek]

I would definitely keep him inside. Boxers really aren't well equipped to be outdoor dogs. They don't have thick coats to protect them from the cold, from sunburn, or from biting insects, and their short muzzles make breathing more difficult in warm weather which puts them at increased risk for heat exhaustion. Maybe you could hire a dog walker to come and let him out on the days you work longer like Gatorblu suggested, or you could take him to a doggy daycare a few times a week.

[jacquim]

I agree with the others and would vote to keep him inside as well. Depending upon how old he is, he might be fine to hold his bladder while you are at work. My 7 month old boxer and 3 year old border collie have no issues at all holding it while we are gone for 8-10 hours at a time for work.
My only worry is if he has free range of the house, is that boxers can get into a fair bit of mischief when they are bored and unattended (depending upon the dog of course, but it seems to be the norm around here with a lot of them).

[Sansal]

I also vote for inside. If you exercise him in the morning before you leave and give him plenty of attention, exercise and stimulation when you are home he should be okay at home while you are at work. 10 hours is long, so if you have the ability to hire a dog walker (even if it's only for a quick visit to potty) or a daycare facility that would be great.
Leave safe chewing toys/bones out for him when you are gone to give him something to do.

[prittiegirl]

Yup, certainly voting for INSIDE! The other posters have made great comments. Even if it's possible to have a trusted neighbour come and let your guy out for you, he should be OK. They like routine, so if you pick something and stick to it, he should do pretty well.

[Stub]

What about a dog door so he can go out if he needs to but stay in the controlled environment when it's too hot or cold to be outside?

[Mega's Mom]

Another vote for keeping him inside! My boy stays inside for approx. 9 hours while I'm work. He does go to daycare 1-2 days a week. Sometimes I come home at lunch to walk him but he does very well (i.e., no accidents) when he's home alone. It's not ideal but it works for us.

[vlyode]

We take walks with Walter in the morning and evening, and he stays inside while we are at work - approximately 9 hours. Walter is 7, and slowing down a little, and the walks do push him a little. From what we have witnessed, he just naps for the most part and is happy to see us in the evening. So far, so good.

[jimseabee]

inside . he is safe that way

[chrystel]

I vote indoor too a doggy door would be awesome, unless you are afraid of wild animals coming inside