Some answers about the outside/inside dog from the Michigan Humane Society

[Albea]

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. Â_

[K9soul]

Amen.

[tatsxxx11]

Thanks you SO much for that Alicia! Amen and AMEN! Our companion animals are just that, companions, best friends, furkids and meant to share their lives with us, in the comfort of our homes. We wouldn't leave our human children outdoors with "adequate shelter" and food and water! We have them for so short a time and I for one, want mine with me, by my side.

[bckrazy]

So, so true. thanks for that article

[Pit Chick]

Thanks, I'm going to print this out to hand out to people.

[PJ's Mom]

Next door to my inlaws house used to live an old cocker spaniel. He was an outside only dog and must've been at least 10 years old. They kept him in his own part of the yard, he wasn't even allowed on the grass. He had a dog house a dish for food and water and that's it. He had cataracts and was overweight.

I cry everytime I think about him. (I'm crying now. How stupid) Everytime we'd go over to visit my inlaws, I would go to a little hole in the fence and pet him and give him some treats. I think even talking to him made him happy, because sometimes you could see his little stump wagging just a little bit.

The last time we were there (Christmas) he was gone and there was what appeared to be a Golden Retreiver in his place. I guess he died.

I threatened to call animal control and even to take him every time we went and my FIL forbid it because he said the dog was well taken care of (which was bull****) and that he didn't want me to start anything.

Why do people get a dog to make it live like that. *cry*

Sorry, I just felt like sharing his story.

[DogLover9501]

So true!

I hate when people say things like "dogs over 50 pounds belong outside", how dumb is that?!

So many people I know get puppies and when they start to grow they tie them outside and never see them again!

I don't see any point to having a dog outside, why would you want a dog if it's just outside tied up?

Originally posted by Pit Chick
Thanks, I'm going to print this out to hand out to people.

Good idea I don't think I would have enough ink to print out a copy for everyone I'd like to give one to.

[KYS]

Good article.

I can not imagine not having my dogs with me when
I am home.
They are as much company to me, as I am to them.

[jennifert9]

Thanks Alicia! Pitchick is right however, we ALL should print that out, post it on every telephone pole in a neighborhood where "outside" dogs live, stuff mailboxes, hand it to strangers on the street! Here on pet talk, it's like preaching to the choir!!

When I was young, I wanted a dog so bad and my parents wouldn't let me get one (they finally gave in when I was 8!) So I would go all around the neighborhood with the hot dogs every mother of 3 young children has in the fridge and hand them out to all the dogs tied up outside people's houses. Sometimes I would even let them off of their chains and walk them around the streets. Once my mother found me at 7 years old with 3 "outside" dogs in the garage, a Great Dane (Jesse) a German Shepard (Taco, have no idea why his name was Taco?) and a mixed breed dog(Coco), playing Barbies. Oh the innocence of childhood, I was an angel to "outside" dogs.
Let's all be angels to them now when we can make a difference!!