Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:42 pm Post subject: Is this normal behaviour?
Our little Bentley is now 4 months old. Comes to work with us and has nice walks and lots of our time etc. We live in the middle of Dartmoor so as you can imagine its very cold, windy and wet at the moment. Bordering zero it feels like in the evenings. He's started to go out in the garden about 6-7pm and just chill out on the grass even if its piddling down with rain and blowing a gale. I know they have thick coats and he's very well in every other way but the other night it was 10pm and we let him out and yup! he just crashed out on the grass with the wind howling and the fog coming in. It was absolutely freezing and in the end after about 20 mintutes of not being able to feel my fingers I literally had to carry him in much to his . So....Is this normal behaviour?
Sounds like Bentley loves to be out in the rough weather, not a namby pamby dog like my CJ, who won`t set foot outside the door even for a wee, if its raining
Was he born on the moor or in an area where its pretty cold too?, if so he`s grown up with it and got used to it, or hardened in the time you`ve had him.
I wouldn`t worry too much unless it seems to affect him in some way, obviously you don`t want his joints getting too cold either, I think what you are doing now is ok, let him have some time outy, then bring him in, I`d be teaching to come in when he`s told, because in a month or two you won`t be able to carry him!
Well, Charlie has certainly been known to go out into the garden to chew a bone, lie there for ages and apparently not notice if it is piddling down with rain.
Their thick coat, coupled with the fairly water resistant outer layer, means they often don't feel the cold or wet as much as you might think.
Charlie is, however, an adult dog, and Murphy is still a baby, which may make a fair difference.
So, whilst it is fairly normal, I would still be a little cautious about leaving a four month old outside for long in the evenings at this time of year, but I guess this concern is the reason you asked the question. As Mary says, let him be for a little while, and then make him come in when he is told.
Must be something in the name! My Bentley is much the same ... I think particularly when there is a breeze (and even better when it's blowing a gale) all sorts of smells get blown over and they just lie there taking it all in.
Oh dear, maybe something nice to tempt him in, are you sure he does'nt think he is a moors pony , I know mine won't come in if fox's are prowling at night.
Is it possibly to warm in the house for him? This time of year with heating or fires it can quickly get too warm for them.... Has he got cool room to retreat to?
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Thank you everyone for your wise words and comments. I knew I could rely on the LF for putting my mind at rest. I do worry far to much and though common sense does prevail I still worry about him.
He is pretty good at recall and if all else fails then a little treat always has him back. However, when he's in one of those "lets sit in the garden while its blowing a gale" moods then absolutely NOTHING gets his attention. And no I deffo won't be carrying him in the near future ha! The house def isn't too hot as have open fire and the central heating is near prehistoric! He was born in Somerset in a "normal" family home so have no idea where his love for wild weather comes from. I always dry him thoroughly but now I'm worried about his joints! OMG........
Anyway, once again, thanks everyone for at least letting me know he's not completely mental Julie x
PS. He's just been out in the garden and come in the kitchen chewing something which looked like sludgy leaves.......so I asked him to "drop" and WOW what a fab little doggy I have.........he brought me a dead bird!.......jeez it gets worse but still wouldnt be without him!
Milo often likes to sit/lay outside in the garden taking in all the sights/smells neverminding the weather! When he first did it I thought his legs packed up until I rattled his treat bag and he came in like a shot!
Labradors do seem to have a bit of a screw loose.
Even on the most bitter cold windy day, Toby will run around, breaking the ice off puddles, the deeper the better, then he lies down in the water splashing about, you would think this would be the last thing any animal would want to do on such a day.
Gary and Toby.
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. So....Is this normal behaviour?
Julie x
