Dog kept inside or outside?

[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.