Can a cocker spaniel live outside occasionally during the winter if i build him a heated kennel?

While the dog would probably be physically okay in a heated kennel outdoors if it isn't really cold out, this isn't the best way to solve the problem. In fact, it's not solving the problem at all. It's just relocating the problem object. I'd suggest a crate or pen for the dog, indoors, for when your girlfriend isn't around. The dog will probably feel pretty secure in that situation. Bring a familiar blanket or piece of old clothing so it feels more like home to him in the crate. But that doesn't solve the basic problem, either, which is that the dog is reacting in an extremely submissive way to you.

You seem to genuinely want to help the dog and be kind to it(tell your girlfriend I think you''re a keeper), you just don't want dog pee all over your house which is very understandable, so I think it might be well worth it to get a dog behaviourist or very experienced trainer in, one on one at your house, to sort out why this happens and find a fix for it. This could be caused by something as simple as your natural tone of voice which you may have to modify a little when addressing the dog. If you have a deep voice, that can be enough to set off a timid dog. In the dog world, a low sound(think of a growl) means authority. A high voice(think of a squealing puppy) means no threat. That's often why dogs get friendlier faster with women. We talk higher anyway and tend to use that cutesy happy "baby" voice more with animals
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Going to a training class with the dog could help. It sounds odd, and it sounds like the dog is quite well trained already, but a well trained dog which lives in a stable environment will have more confidence. I would also try taking that dog on the longest walk of its life before the next time it comes to your house. A very tired dog will relax better.

What's wrong with putting the dog in a kennel INSIDE the house?

Crate the dog, don't put it outside.

Enroll the dog in obedience. It will learn to bond to you and believe it or not, it will gain confidence.

As for submissive peeing, ignore the dog until it calms down. For more information read: http://www.perfectpaws.com/subr.html

To crate train read: http://www.pets.ca/dogs/articles/housebreaking-crate-training/

While many dogs can successfully and happily sleep outside, a Cocker isn't a breed I would suggest trying it with.

Try using a crate indoors instead. Make sure you take him out often to go potty. Many dogs sleep the night in their crates and mine consider their crate a happy place and go in there for comfort. It might make him feel a bit more secure when she isn't there.

That is MUCH too cold for a dog to be outside even in a heated kennel, especially a breed like a cocker who is not meant to be outside. Casting him outside is also not going to help with his issues, in fact it could make them worse. Have a talk with your girlfriend about the situation at hand and come up with a solution that involves keeping the dog INDOORS. Personally if you know the dog pees when you call it or try to play with it, the solution seems like common sense to me -- stop doing those things that cause it to pee. Take a more subtle approach when your girlfriend is absent and don't do anything to get the dog too excited.

first of all, why the **** do you have five dogs at 17 and why do they have to live outside this winter? dogs, especially your dogs, since they've never lived outside before, are not equipped to withstand the cold, especially in new jersey. Your daschunds, they are way too small. Your boxer and doberman are short hair dogs, they won't do well either. your german shepherd is the only one even remotely equipped for that kind of weather. (ever wonder why arctic breed dogs have thick undercoats?) if you're willing to spend money on the situation, I would kennel them if absolutely necessary. If you do build a dog house, make sure its large enough so they can all live in together (their collective body heat will help, but not so big that the heat escapes) put lots of hay or straw like material on the ground so there is a protective layer between the ground. To help withstand the wind I would use insulation. but build a box, with a larger box aound it, so the insulation goes in between the layers. make sure they are exposed to the insulation at all. very dangerous stuff for dogs. as for the wood, I don't think you have to be to particular. just make sure its thick, not like plasterboard. and that it doesn't decompose too quickly if wet. build it uphill or somewhere the ground can't get too wet. make sure the roof is waterproof. maybe get some old roofing material, just some leftover stuff (try the junkyard or a construction site where they're remodeling a house. they just throw it away anyway, I'm sure they'd be willing to give you some. be sure to know the warning signs of hypothermia. check on them very frequently (including the middle of the night and around dawn when its coldest). make sure to have lots of bedding material (this is key), and make sure (every day) that it does NOT GET WET. and finally, spend a night out there with them so you know first hand how ******* cold it gets.

First off, feed the dog yourself every opportunity you can. This will help him bond to you and might reduce his separation anxiety. Also, does he like being brushed? It would be a pain in the butt, but try brushing him for 10 minutes every time she leaves. This activity should be soothing to him. Definitely don't ever scold him for peeing in the house, it makes it worse (trust me, I know!).

He can live outside if you can keep a heated kennel. Its hard for a dog to be indoor and outdoor during the winter because they never really get a thick winter coat. But, if you can keep the kennel at at least around 30 degrees, I would think he would be fine.

If you want to nip the separation anxiety in the bud, you most likely can but it will take a lot of time. There are thousands of articles on it. I would start reading because the better you understand why it is happening, the more likely you can reduce or prevent it.

Cocker Spaniel is generally known as a 1-man dog. In your case he is a 1-woman dog. He thinks you are taking his mother from him.

He is just marking his territories.

I know why he does it but don't know enough to advise you on what to do to correct his behaviour. On egood piece of advice though, clean your place properly and get rid of the smell by diluted vinegar.

It is too cold to be out in Canada especially he is not a farm dog.