New Dog House

Question
Hello Dr. Gotthelf,
We have a 5 month old puppy and we have had him for about 31/2 months. He sleeps outside under a big terrace. About 20ft out from the door and liek 40 ft from side to side. He has been sleeping outside now for about 2 months. But when it rains and if it is windy the rain tends to get in and under the terrace and he gets a bit wet. Since our mom won't allow for him to sleep inside the house, we got a him a dog house last week. The broblem is that he won't get in unless we throw a treat or toy inside the house. He will get in to get it, but gets back out right away. He use to sleep on top of a large chair with a cushion but we had to take that away because he was getting to large to sleep on it. (Beagle/ lab mix 25lbs.) Now he just throws himself on the floor and sleeps there and it breaks our heart. We wish he would sleep inside his house. The other day it rained and he still dodn't get in. How can we get him to get use to it and for him to understand that it is his new home, is their a chance or should we return that big house.Is it still possible to get him to sleep in a house or is it too late. What shoudl we do?  Thank you so much.

Lizzette

Answer
Dogs like getting in places like a dog house.  Try putting his water bowl or food in the dog house. MAke sure that the dog house opens toward your house so he can see your house out of it.  His job is to protect that yard and he needs to be able to see what is going on.