BigGameHoundsmen.com

I have a 5 month old bluetick pup that has decided it is going to hibernate for winter. He wants nothing to do with going outside if it's under 50 degrees out there. It doesn't help it's been wet and damp and rainy but still, what a lil puss'.
I've raised him indoors and out and he's good mannered inside so it's not the biggest problem. But I like to hunt best when there's frost on the ground! Me and him are going to have to agree to disagree regarding comfortable climate.

Anyway will he get over this? He just sits on the porch and shakes when I try to make him go outside. He is currently living outside full time in this nasty weather until he learns to grow a backbone.

It has nothing to do with his backbone. It has every thing to do with how he has been raised. Is he eating enough is the next question. Dewey

He eats a ton, and he eats well. High protein high fat dry food.
He's never been able to put on a lot of weight but he'll eat all day.
He's getting more now that winter's here but if he'd have his way he'd eat more then my bigger dogs. He's been wormed regularly and my vet says he's in good health.

This is the first time in his life the temp's have dropped this low though.
Maybe he is just adjusting?

yes definitely check his feed and maybe a check up at the vets. if the energy content is right he should have no problem with most temps. however he can't control his shivering or FAKE it. so there is a real reason for his problem. keeping him out at night is probably not the best course right now. is his dog house warm dry ? does it have a door? is it to BIG for him to stay warm in? a enclosed porch may be a good transitional area for now.
I don't prefer long haired dogs and have raised them in very cold temps including retrievers that had little problem with it. they did however eat huge amounts during the cold season. take him to check up. could be many things he may not be getting all the nutrients out of his food.

I've been giving him an extra cup to try to put some more meat on his bones.
The shaking is not out of control, more like he is annoyed and plops his ass down and sits there until he starts shaking. I let him back in, it's not in my nature to put a dog through misery. He wasn't complaining, just went and hunkered down in his house. I let him back in he's much happier.
Usually he sleeps inside by the stove, maybe I have been spoiling him?
I will bring him into the vet and make sure everything is kosher.
After making this thread I think I am overreacting a bit. I am going to give him even a bit more feed and still make the vet appointment. But I think he is just learning to deal.

Sounds like he just needs to adjust. Doesnt sound like he is sufering just unhappy being outside in the cold. Just give him a chance to adjust.

Find something he likes do to. I have dogs that have been like that their whole lives. But if you put something in front of them they really want, they will forget all about the cold. When it gets real cold a couple of my dogs don't want to leave the box, but they have no problem with cold when running a track. Do you feed him inside?

I've always fed him outside,
I moved inside when it got cold and rainy a week ago but started back outside in the rain yesterday when I realized what a weeny he was being.

Sounds like a thyroid problem to me. A hound with a low thyroid can freeze to death under conditions that other hounds thrive in. Get your vet to do a full thyroid panel and look at the T4 levels in particular. The preeminent authority on this subject is Dr. Jean Dodds of hemopet.org The vet can look there for protocols
If the problem is indeed hypothyroid, it can be fixed with meds or the hound should be sold south

BTW, my hounds are housedogs, but hunt below zero. The one that grew up in my home up north only shivers when he is begging for food. The one that came from KY shivers whenever he is cold, unless no one is looking. He is fine while hunting. They will put on the shivers to get sympathy and manipulate you.

thank you for that advice, I looked up the symptoms and really don't see it in him, but I would rather be safe then sorry. We have a vet appointment this week and will make sure to bring that up.

I agree on the sympathy thing, I have seen my dogs learn what to do to get a certain response from me and milk it too excess. My girl's rottie broke her leg when she was a pup and remembers how much fun it was being coddled, so when she is desperate for attention she starts limping around.

I took the pup out at 5 am today and it was about high 30's and he did ok once he got over being coaxed out of the warm dog pile. I am giving him a ton of feed to make him fat and hearty.

My dogs never want to leave the warmth of their house (or mine) until they hear the buckles on the tracking collar..

Did I miss where you said how big his dog house was? The smaller then better...

Also, if you are getting big temp changes (we go from 34 degrees at night to 72 in the day) I think that messes with them a lot as far as getting cold at night..

I noticed my older dog starting to shiver.. I've upped his food and rebedded him.. I'll keep a very close eye on him from here..But at this point if he is still to cold.. He's earned a spot in the house..

Right now he sleeps inside and has access to most of the house I don't have dog house that will stand up to the cold yet, plus I like the company.
We went out camping one night and noticed how miserable he was first thing in the morning, but not only was it cold, it was wet, and things were frozen. So I don't totally blame him.
After making this thread he seems to have changed his mind about the cold and does not mind going out. I might have to call him out too the truck and extra time but he makes it out. I'm giving him an extra
Today we followed some old bear signs for a couple miles. He just decided he's going to be independent so I had a great time chasing off after him. Thinking it's time to invest in tritronics and a tracker.

thanks for everyone's help. I'm still going to have my vet run blood tests but I think I am just overreacting. After all, even I'm adjusting to the cold!

Well I guess I blew the whistle too early!
20 degrees out with a couple feet of icy snow and I can't get the pup to stay inside!
He couldn't care less, I found him curled up on the rug out on the porch happy as a clam.
I've been feeding him more then usual and he's got a bit more meat on his bones. (he still demands to be fed constantly, but at least he's looking heartier)

Thanks for everyones help in this thread.

glad he's adjusted! My house hounds like lying on the black rubber doormat all winter long. It stays dry; I shake off the snow; and the dark color absorbs the heat. If its sunny, they prefer outside even below zero...