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Is it safe for dogs to stay in a warm garage during pad training?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | spayed | 16 lbs

This maybe an odd question but my dogs both stay in our garage. It’s not cold since we keep the heater on but since they are pad training right now is it okay if they stay there or will it seem too cruel? Our garage has a lot of space for them to run around too.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Mariya Gugel, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 27th, 2017

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It should be okay for your dogs to stay in the garage during the day as long as they have plenty of space, a comfortable place to lay down, and plenty of water (and food if they eat throughout the day). You should dog-proof the garage, removing any household items like antifreeze, detergent, paint etc. from areas that you think the dogs may be able to reach. You may even want to use gates to fence of work areas that may have tools, nails, screws, etc to prevent them from swallowing those. I do not recommend keeping a car in the garage with the dogs just in case they were to get stuck in the garage. Overall, as long as the garage is a comfortable temperature and they have a place to lay down, play, and eat/drink, your main concern is making sure that there is nothing in the vicinity that they can get into. I hope this helps!

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