Indoor Dog: Inside mats for potty or outside for potty?

Question
Hello,

I have a 15 week old pug cross puppy. We have had him join our family when he was 14 weeks. He currently weighs 8 pounds and is project to weigh only 11 max.We have been training him on puppy training mats for the pass month and it has been a huge success. He had only made 2 mistakes when the mats were being changed and he was confused on where to go; however it was still in the same area of his mats.

Two things that must be known before we carry on. We live in an apartment on the second floor. We bought a smaller dog knowing that he will be mostly an indoor dog. We have done research to how much exercise is needed. I must mention I take him for 2 hour walks daily and to the dog park all the time. He is not a couch potatoe! Secondly, I live in Northern Alberta where weather in the winter will go down to -50 C/ -58 F. This leads me to the question:

Do we continue to use the indoor mats for him for the rest of his life or should we try to train him to go outside only? The last thing I would like to do is confuse him. Outside in the summer and inside in the winter. Is it possible to have the dog learn both places, that he should hold it for outside and if he has too, that he can go inside on his mats? So far he has been going perfectly fine on the mats. I know the weather will not be pleasant for 6 months of the year with averaging at -25 C. I know that when it reaches the coldest time, places and work shut down. I do not want to expect my dog to go outside in that weather. What do you recommend?

Answer
I can relate to cold weather in northern Alberta haveing been to Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, Grand Prairie etc  on several drives to northern Yukon (Dempster hwy) or Alaska (Fairbanks) at various times of year. While in Fairbanks one year I was in a barracks with a bunch of oil roughnecks, it was -44F outside, I threw open the door wearing only my skivies and socks. They all started complainig about the cold, was I an idiot?  No I wasn't cold, I'm from Chicago!  But my socks froze to the floor and I had to pull myself out of them by the transom.  :-)  

You have made some excellent choices and in your climate, indoor is likely the best when the north wind blows. I would not take your Pug outside as they are not cold hardy breed. When you do take him out in winter (Oct to April?) make sure he has booties on his paws, and s ski mask. Their bug eyes can freeze quickly.  The dog should cvertainly learn to go outside when you can and inside when you can't.


regards,
a shivery - 58, wow

Henry Ruhwiedel
www.dogkennel.org