Switching an Outdoor Dog to Indoors

Keeping your dog inside your home with you offers many benefits in terms of your pet's mental and physical health. Indoor dogs tend to be happier, have more interaction with their human families and are less likely to be injured due to accidents or become ill due to exposure to the elements and diseases carried by other animals.

  1. Dog-Proof Your Home

    • Before you ever bring your outdoors-only dog into your home, you need to go through the house and make sure to remove or put away any items that could harm your dog or that your dog would be likely to damage. Store cleaning products and other potentially toxic items in an area where your dog cannot get to them. Stow cords for expensive electronics safely out of chewing range. Put children's toys and games away, especially items such as stuffed animals and balls that a dog may mistake for its own toys.

    Make a Place For Your Dog

    • Your dog will have an easier time adjusting to life indoors if he has a place that is securely his right from the start. A kennel can help you train your dog, and it provides a safe place for your dog to stay when you are not home. The kennel can also serve as the dog's den and provide a safe place for him to go when he wants to get away from children, loud noises or other pets in the home. Provide toys for your dog to play with so he'll be less tempted to make toys out of your valuables. You should also have a set place for your dog's food and water dishes. If you plan on using puppy pads or other indoor canine bathroom areas, set these set up in advance as well.

    Train Your Dog

    • Whether you have a puppy or an adult dog, it is important to train your dog properly. Enroll both yourself and your dog in a dog training class as soon as possible so you can learn how to appropriately reward and correct your dog. Apply the principles you learn in class to help you train your dog how to behave indoors. Remember to reward positive behaviors and discipline your dog for inappropriate behaviors. The more time you spend training your dog, the more smoothly the transition from "outdoor dog" to "indoor dog" will go.

    Spend Time With Your Dog

    • The happiest, best behaved dogs tend to be the dogs that are truly members of your family. Spending time with your dog is crucial to making his transition from outdoor pet to indoor pet a success. The more time you spend interacting with your dog in the home, the less likely your dog is to develop poor behavior habits. Let your dog follow you from room to room and lie at your feet while you read or watch television. If your dog is right beside you, you will be able to notice and correct misbehavior before it becomes an issue. You also need to take time to pet your dog and play with him. Remember that you will also need to spend significant time taking your indoor dog outside for bathroom breaks and exercise. An active dog that is not getting enough exercise is unlikely to be well-behaved indoors.