Dog kept inside or outside?

[Scooby4]

I would like to know your opinion on keeping a dog inside or outside is okay. This seems to be a touchy topic amongst dog owners. My dogs are kept both inside and outside. However, I don't have an issue with someone who keeps their dog outside as long as it is properly cared for with food, water, and love.
What is your opinion? In or Out?

[LeahMM]

When I am at home my dogs are with me whether I'm inside or outside. They stay in a covered kennel run during the day while we're gone. I would like to leave them inside but 14 hours is a bit long and they would destroy the house.

[Pit Chick]

What's the point in having a dog if it has to stay outside only 24/7? What is it's purpose?

[Kevin Farmer]

MAXIMUS is mostly an inside dog...but we leave the back door open, because he does like to be outside sometimes...or of couse rid the yard of those pesky squirrels:D :D when it's raining, he has to ask to be let out...muddy paws!!!
:p :p :p

[Pit Chick]

Maximus is beautiful. Does he climb trees to get those squirrels like my Pit does?

[Lexi_Lover]

Well, Lexi is mostly indoor, but loves to be outside also! :)

Tigger, RB, was an all outside dog. She loved it! :D

[Kevin Farmer]

DOES HE CLIMB TREES?

HE SURE TRIES...HE ALSO TRIES GOING OVER THE FENCE:p :p :p

HE'S GETTING BETER:p

[dragondawg]

My two are outside in a 30X22 pen during the day. They get to watch the squirrels and deer run around while I'm at work. When I get home they come inside with me. Of course their favorite activity is car riding to the store.

The only exceptions were when my Barney was a pup, it was pretty cold out, so he stayed inside in a crate until the first Spring. Also my previous dog- Daisy, after she came down with Lymphoma she went from indoor/outdoor to being strickly indoor during the summer, and winter due to temperature stress. But other than this, I have an idea the puppies are happier outside than in the house. I'm happier because my house gets to survive. :D

I'm in agreement that if a dog is kept outside 24X7 then the whole point of having a dog is lost.

[joycenalex]

alex is an indoor dog. he goes out to 'do his business', walk with me and 'supervise the yard work' . he will sit outside during nice weather to just hang out. and enjoy it like i do.

[schteve_d]

Bud, Tash, and Docker have a doggy-door and make their own decisions whether to be inside or outside (they have no idea how spoiled they are!).

[shais_mom]

I agree that I also don't see the point of having an outside only dog. It angers me to no end when I see dogs tied out in BFE with straw bales around their house. What is the point?
Keegan is inside only with supervised potty trips or play trips outside. Several people have told me that I should get a kennel and leave her out while I am at work but I refuse b/c I work 3-11 and she HATES being outside by herself. When she was a puppy I would tie her out for potty and if I ran back inside for something she would bark nonstop and HOWL until I came back outside. She freaks.
I think it is ok for people who have kennels or runs for them for short visits but it isn't for Keegan.

:)

[Oggyflute]

Both. They are outside during the day when I'm at work, unless the weather is terrible, then they stay inside.:)

[Shelteez2]

My dogs are inside only and I think I will only have inside dogs.

I would do a doggy door type thing perhaps with different dogs... Em would be out there barking her fool head off all the time....LOL

My dogs come to work with me so they're hardly ever left home alone.

[schteve_d]

Originally posted by Shelteez2
My dogs come to work with me so they're hardly ever left home alone.

And I thought my dogs had it good! :D

[Ozron]

Steve

After reading up on you and your adventures I think your dogs are the spoilt ones. To have a master like you is all most dogs could ever want.

[schteve_d]

Thanks Ozron, that's a really nice compliment! Still, I sure wish I could take the hounds to work with me rather than leave them alone for 6-9 hours a day! But again, thank-you!!

[K9soul]

Mine are indoors except for when I go outside or when they go out for potty breaks. I'm home all day (work from home) so there are no problems with them having to hold their bladders all day. When I was younger, our collies stayed in a kennel run during the day so they wouldn't have to hold their bladder for 8 hours while we were gone to school/work.

I prefer to see dogs indoors, or indoors/outdoors. In most situations, I think it's fairly pointless to have a dog that is outdoor only, but there are some exceptions. There are a few dogs I've heard of who just are miserable indoors. I think usually they were raised outdoors, got rehomed or rescued, and now feel trapped and miserable inside. As long as they have good shelter, LOTS of love and time with people, and of course good food and water, I understand a decision to do what makes the dog happiest. Also, for various reasons, some people just can NOT bring a dog inside, especially younger people living with their parents. Maria comes to mind, and I know she LOVES Major dearly and spends every moment she can with him, plus brings him into the entryway for short visits sometimes. I'd prefer to see him be able to stay in, but in this case would not say that she shouldn't have a dog. I'm sure when she gets on her own, he will be right inside with her :)

In the case of work dogs. There are dogs who guard flocks of sheep, they bond to the sheep as puppies and stay with them 24/7 to guard them from predators, and I see nothing wrong with this. It is one of the original reasons for domestication, and I have nothing against working dogs as long as everything is done humanely and the dog is well taken care of. In the case of those sheep guarding dogs, the sheep are their "pack" and that is where they want to be.

Exceptions along these various lines, I have no problems with.

Edited to say: That said, I NEVER agree with a dog living on a tie out. If the dog must be kept outdoors, a roomy fenced enclosure is the only acceptable way in my opinion. Of course a farm/sheep guarding dog will be out in the pasture with their charges.

[jennifert9]

Duncan is such a house dog!! He loves to be outside and go to the park and play. And he loves to be outside in the yard but only if someone is there with him. He's fairly aggressive toward strangers so I would never leave him outside alone unless it was with a 8 ft. privacy fence. He has been known to climb the chain link fences and chase after small animals such as rabbits and squirrels. At my father's house, the fence is the 8ft privacy wood fence except in one area by the driveway. My father and Duncan were hanging out in the yard and my uncle came to visit unexpectedly. Duncan had met him before but when my uncle walked up to the fence and reached over to pet Duncan, Duncan bit him. He's protective of his yard and my father so I would never leave him outside unattended...
He's used to having someone with him now so I don't think he would adjust well to being outside alone at this point, even if I were to let him.

[mruffruff]

My three are inside/outside--they have a doggy door and a 6 foot wooden fence all around. When I have accidentally left the panel in the doggy door all day, they were grateful to get out but didn't do any damage inside. And no puddles.

Bella is part chow and would be happy to stay outside. She lived in the woods for a couple of years so she knows she's got it good now.

I really don't like to see dogs tied out for long periods. I can understand that some will jump fences, dig under, or just plain destroy the yard, but I'd rather see other steps taken to keep them home while the owner works. When the owner is home, the dog should be with them. And of course there are always exceptions, like the sheep herding dogs.

Mary

[Aspen and Misty]

Both my dogs are inside dogs with trips outside to play or potty.

I don't leave my dogs outside for any more then a half-hour unsupervised because I live in town and have neighbors. I have seen and heard to many stories about poisons being thrown over fences or people stealing/ torturing dogs that are left outside. Now, don't get me wrong, I have VERY nice neighbors. But that doesn't matter because anyone can walk through your neighborhood and target your dog for no reason.

Ashley

[lv4dogs]

Originally posted by K9soul
I prefer to see dogs indoors, or indoors/outdoors. In most situations, I think it's fairly pointless to have a dog that is outdoor only, but there are some exceptions. There are a few dogs I've heard of who just are miserable indoors. I think usually they were raised outdoors, got rehomed or rescued, and now feel trapped and miserable inside. As long as they have good shelter, LOTS of love and time with people, and of course good food and water, I understand a decision to do what makes the dog happiest. Also, for various reasons, some people just can NOT bring a dog inside, especially younger people living with their parents. Maria comes to mind, and I know she LOVES Major dearly and spends every moment she can with him, plus brings him into the entryway for short visits sometimes. I'd prefer to see him be able to stay in, but in this case would not say that she shouldn't have a dog. I'm sure when she gets on her own, he will be right inside with her :)

In the case of work dogs. There are dogs who guard flocks of sheep, they bond to the sheep as puppies and stay with them 24/7 to guard them from predators, and I see nothing wrong with this. It is one of the original reasons for domestication, and I have nothing against working dogs as long as everything is done humanely and the dog is well taken care of. In the case of those sheep guarding dogs, the sheep are their "pack" and that is where they want to be.

Exceptions along these various lines, I have no problems with.

I couldn't agree more with your statement.

Personally I could never have an outdoor dog, I can't be without them, they come to work, family & friend's houses & outings with me. But for those that can't or for dogs that won't stay inside, as long as they are WELL cared for & loved I see NO problem with it.

[bckrazy]

I also believe that forcing a pet dog to live outside 24/7 with little to no attention, is pointless and cruel. If that person has a warm, sheltered place for their dogs, feeds and waters them well and spends a lot of time with them, I have no problem with that. But of course I believe all dogs should be allowed to spend time with their family indoors.

Gonzo has a doggy door, but he's usually inside when we're home. He gets at least 2-3 hours of activity, walks runs and ball-playing, ever day. He has never tried to escape the yard, because he's very well exercised before we leave and we have a large yard with a re-inforced 6' wood fence. If it's bad weather or there will be no one home for more than a couple hours (which is rare), he stays inside.

[Thandi]

Mika has a doggie/kitty door, so the dog and cats are free to come and go as they please. The cats can jump over the fence into the front, but Mika can only go in the back garden, which she loves. At night the doggie door is closed because of the coyotes getting the kitties. Most of the day the three of them are on our bed!

My neighbors on both sides (one with sweetest small labx, the other shitzu) keep their dogs outside 24/7 with just a wooden house, barely a blanket. Evil. :mad:

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

My dogs are indoor dogs, they only go outside to play and do their "business" lol. I don't like seeing strictly outdoor dogs at all, they're pack animals and normally much prefer to be with their family. In the summer I leave my backdoor open sometimes so my dogs can go in and out as they please but usually they don't go if I don't follow them...

[sammy101]

Mine stay indoors.but they LOVE being outside,they can stay out for hours,even all day.

[PJ's Mom]

Both of mine are inside dogs. We have installed a doggie door so they can go out into the fenced backyard whenever they want. In fact, Bailey's favorite thing to do is "tan" in the backyard when the weather's nice. ;) The cats have also started using the doggie door. :)

[pitc9]

Inside

Sierra would stay outside and dig to China if I let her, or she would just jump over the fence and runaway to China if I didn't go outside and watch her!:rolleyes:

Buddy, he wants to be where ever I am. He can't stand to not have me in his sight! (can we say mama's boy :D )

They were both living outside when they were found, so I'm sure they had enough of it then. They like the cushy life now!

[jesse_3]

I think that dogs should be kept inside most of the time. When they are kept strictly outside, I really don't see why you would want them. Unless it is a gaurd dog that has no manners and training. Or they don't like to be inside. Jesse love both indoors and outdoors. Sammy is a strictly inside dog. She only like to be outside on small walks!

[binka_nugget]

Mine are strictly indoors. All my dogs will be. Kai doesn't seem to like staying outside. After he's done his business, he'll run straight back in while Kaedyn barks at nothing. :rolleyes:

[luvofallhorses]

Originally posted by Pit Chick
What's the point in having a dog if it has to stay outside only 24/7? What is it's purpose?

No kidding! My dogs love it inside much better, but they are with me while outside, that is where they belong, they are part of the family, too :p

Edited to add, I don't understand the last thing on the poll...would you please explain it, imo it seems like they are inside all day or stuck outside all day..

[ramanth]

I voted inside/outside. But in some cases, like Glacier's crew, I don't mind that the dogs are outside only. She has dogs that refuse to come inside and they live outside all their life. But she, unlike some dog owners, plays with them, gives them attention and you know they are happy and loved.

My neighbors growing up had malamutes that would not go inside. They would whine and paw at the door to get out. During storms or really cold months, they'd drag them inside, but man, were those dogs ever happy when they were let back out. They had a large kennel and heated shed that was home.

I can't imagine having an indoor only dog. But there is a woman at my apartment complex that never takes her dog outside. She just puts down pee pads for him to potty on and then she cleans it up. :eek:

Could you imagine!?

[Buddy Blaze Lover]

Blaze is both, but he prefers to be outside quite a bit...guess the house isn't big enough for him to run around in all the time, lol!:)

[luvofallhorses]

Originally posted by ramanth
I voted inside/outside. But in some cases, like Glacier's crew, I don't mind that the dogs are outside only. She has dogs that refuse to come inside and they live outside all their life. But she, unlike some dog owners, plays with them, gives them attention and you know they are happy and loved.

My neighbors growing up had malamutes that would not go inside. They would whine and paw at the door to get out. During storms or really cold months, they'd drag them inside, but man, were those dogs ever happy when they were let back out. They had a large kennel and heated shed that was home.

I can't imagine having an indoor only dog. But there is a woman at my apartment complex that never takes her dog outside. She just puts down pee pads for him to potty on and then she cleans it up. :eek:

Could you imagine!?


:eek: some people shouldn't have animals :( if they are too lazy for them to have exercise, they shouldn't get one( I didn't mean to offend you in any way ramanth) :(

[Glacier]

Originally posted by ramanth
I voted inside/outside. But in some cases, like Glacier's crew, I don't mind that the dogs are outside only. She has dogs that refuse to come inside and they live outside all their life. But she, unlike some dog owners, plays with them, gives them attention and you know they are happy and loved.



I would greatly prefer that all my dogs could come and go from the house as they pleased. The vast majority of them do. I've had up to 16 in the house at once! Some I have to rotate--Goldie hates Preacher and will fight with him even inside, not all the girls can be together, Raven has to be supervised or there will be trouble, Hobo gets into the garbage if he's allowed to roam the house freely. With 21 dogs, it's a constant juggling act to balance their personalities and special quirks! Some of them only like to come in for short periods--Heyoka likes to get a treat, make sure he isn't missing anything fun and go back outside. He's a malamute and he overheats very quickly.

The exceptions, who don't come in, are Delta and Kayleigh.
Kayleigh doesn't mind being inside, but she has a completely out of control prey drive. She would, with great delight, kill all my cats in minutes. She is allowed inside when I can lock all the cats up, safely out of her reach. It's nerve wracking for me though as there is always a possiblity of a door popping open or a cat sneaking out somehow! This summer my husband is going to build Kayleigh a new pen. It will be attached to his shop and have a doggy door for her. He spends a great deal of time out there and his Dad is there every day (he's a carver and uses the shop to work). Kayleigh will be able to come and go from the shop at will. We will both like that!

Delta is afraid of the house. He won't come inside. I did have him in on the weekend, but I had to corner him in the yard and carry him to the house. Not pleasant for either of us. I want to get Delta working as a sled dog next winter. His gait is flawless and I'm sure he'd do well in harness. His brother is a great sled dog! So this summer/fall, Delta is my project dog. Hopefully, by next winter, he will want his house time too!

My dogs are all northern breeds, so cold doesn't bother them. They all have insulated dog houses full of straw if they want to sleep outside. I make a special effort to spend extra time with Kayleigh every day. If I had different breeds, they would need to be inside even more.

I think outdoor only dogs, under certain circumstances are fine, but it takes a special effort from the owner to make sure their needs are met. A dog who is simply left as a yard ornament is not acceptable!

[Pit Chick]

Originally posted by Glacier
A dog who is simply left as a yard ornament is not acceptable!

(with much sarcasm)
Oh, come one now, it's not a yard ornament if it's outside 24/7 365 with nothing to do....it's being a "guard dog" like it's ancestors were bred to be a loooooong time ago. :rolleyes:

Well said Glacier. ;)

[ramanth]

Originally posted by luvofallhorses
:eek: some people shouldn't have animals :( if they are too lazy for them to have exercise, they shouldn't get one( I didn't mean to offend you in any way ramanth) :(
:confused: You didn't offend me. I was just responding to the poll. :)

Kia is inside all day when I'm at work, mainly because I live in an apartment.

Even if I did have a house with a fenced yard and doggie door, Kia would likely still be indoors when she's home alone, because she's a fence jumper.

Plus I'd be worried someone would take her.

[rizzy]

Sally is kept indoors. She is in her kennel most of the day. Sometimes she is let to roam around the house.

[Albea]

I posted this in "Dog General" a couple of days ago. It is not meant for anybody in Pet Talk, we are all responsible guardians. But if you ever have to convince somebody who leaves a dog outside, because of ignorance or neglect, this article will give you a very good "talking point."

Outside Dogs
by Michigan Humane Society

"Many potential adopters ask "Is this an 'outside' dog?" Our answer is, "Not anymore." We attempt to place dogs with people who understand the need of a dog to be a part of the family. Even thousands of years ago when man and all animals lived "outside", there was a cave or den for shelter, and man and dogs lived in small groups or "packs". The truth is, times have changed but we and the dogs haven't. Both humans and dogs are "pack" animals, we do not tend to be solitary. Domesticated, companion dogs no longer have packs of other dogs to live with, so dogs now need to be members of human families or packs. Furthermore, both people and dogs are "den" animals. This is the reason that dogs can be housebroken. Dogs want shelter in a safe, secure den - your home - and they want their den to be clean.

Obviously, dogs can be forced to live outside, alone and away from their families. But to force this kind of life on a dog is one of the worst things you can do to him. Such a life goes against a dog's two most basic instincts: the pack and the den. If you have any doubts about these ideas, think of all the whining, barking, clawing dogs you have seen tied up alone outside. Dogs trying desperately to get their human families' attention, and then just giving up to become hyperactive, listless, fearful, or vicious when the stress of enforced solitude becomes too much to cope with.

The rationale given by people who permanently keep their dogs outside is that they will spend time with the pet outside. Even the most well-meaning pet owner does not spend significant time outside, particularly when it is raining or cold. Consequently, under the best of circumstances for the outside dog, a bowl of food and water hastily shoved before him, a quick pat given, and his owner, his WORLD is gone, leaving the animal to spend another 22 or 23 hours alone.

A dog brings you the gifts of steadfast devotion, abiding love, and joyful companionship. Unless you can responsibly accept a dog's offer of these great gifts, please do not get a dog. If you already have a dog, perhaps this article will help you to see things from his point of view, and possibly motivate you to change your relationship with him. A sad, lonely, bewildered dog, kept outside, wondering why he cannot be with his family, brings only sadness and unhappiness to the world." _

[Pit Chick]

Originally posted by Albea
"Many potential adopters ask "Is this an 'outside' dog?"

We hear the same things during adoptions. "I'm looking for an outside dog" or "I'm looking for a dog I can keep inside".

-There's no such thing as an outside dog
-All of these dogs are kept inside

After establishing that, they respond with, "I mean a little dog". Why are little dogs the only ones that should be kept inside?

[gemini9961]

Both of my girls are inside dogs when we are not home. One stays in the laundry room with her bed and food/water and the other in the bathroom with her bed and food/water. They like to go outside and play but only if I'm out there with them and if I sneak in the house then they are at the door whining, especially the older one. The little one will stay in the yard by herself but I have to watch her since she can escape under the fence. So, they are inside dogs except when I go out with them.