dangerous game

[Twisterdog]

Agreed.

[sumbirdy]

Agreed.

There is nothing wrong with having outside dogs if they have adequate shelter and plenty of food, water, and attention. Which my dogs have all of these. Our house is way too small to bring in 17 dogs and anyway most of them don't like to be inside. We bring in the dogs that like to be inside on occasions and starting this winter we are bringing in our 9 year old dog (who has lived outside all her life) There is absoulutely nothing wrong with them being outside and if you knew my dogs and their personalities you would understand and agree too. They don't want to be anywhere else.

[areias]

Maybe this question has been asked before, but why do you have 17 dogs? And especially why do you have them if they are all outside?

It must get expensive with vet visits, heartguard, etc. I already wish I didn't have my heartguard bill, for three medium sized dogs.

[sumbirdy]

Maybe this question has been asked before, but why do you have 17 dogs? And especially why do you have them if they are all outside?

It must get expensive with vet visits, heartguard, etc. I already wish I didn't have my heartguard bill, for three medium sized dogs.

We have 17 dogs because mom has a habit of picking up strays. The vet bills are very expensive but fortunately we have a vet that lets us make payments. About them being outside-well, they like it there. They would rather be outside more than anywhere else. Tiny, Nitis, and Lacy stay inside. Whino, Daphney and Uno are the only outside dogs that like to come in so they come in regularly. So not ALL of them are outside. Sprinkles comes in at night because she is older (almost 9) and gets cold easily but she really hates it.

[lwds]

There is nothing wrong with having outside dogs if they have adequate shelter and plenty of food, water, and attention.

What about confinement? Secure fencing/kennels?

[Argranade]

Maybe Sumbirdy feels if her dogs want to stay outside then they can, all animals started out wild and in freedom in the begining of time, when I go to native resurves there are so many dogs outside running around ... they have a place to sleep at night ... I dunno but for some reason it does not bother me.

If the dog did not have lots of fur then it would HAVE to live in the house.

Yes I do belive if there's no way to secure them they should be adopted out so they don't get hit by cars but it's not hard at all to buil a simple fence this way Sumbirdy will know all the dogs are safe and secure.

At least there not at a pound and they have a home where they can get food and water and won't have a chance of being killed by being stray or getting into a fight with other nabour hood dogs.

A fence is a realy good option Sumbirdy, it would keep the dogs from getting hit of course.

I know you have a great feeling for these dogs and want to help them as much as you can.

Good luck!

[lwds]

I dunno but for some reason it does not bother me.

A well known GSD handler I know keeps his dogs outdoors and as soon as his puppies are able to, they are outside in a pen. Do I agree with it? 50/50 answer. I wouldn't do it, but it doesn't both me too much.

and then again, his dogs aren't running around being ran over, chasing cars, or being shot.

[lovingpaws]

There is nothing wrong with having outside dogs if they have adequate shelter and plenty of food, water, and attention. Which my dogs have all of these. Our house is way too small to bring in 17 dogs and anyway most of them don't like to be inside. We bring in the dogs that like to be inside on occasions and starting this winter we are bringing in our 9 year old dog (who has lived outside all her life) There is absoulutely nothing wrong with them being outside and if you knew my dogs and their personalities you would understand and agree too. They don't want to be anywhere else.

I hate to see dogs chained or penned, and outside alone. But you have a whole pack or even 2 that share each others company, and yours your say. Since dogs are social animals and in this case have each other, I think you're doing in adequate job now a fence would be perfect , and even if they "stay as you say, it will keep out other critters who may cause problems (carry rabies, other disease), and keep your car chaser safe.

[Twisterdog]

There is nothing wrong with having outside dogs if they have adequate shelter and plenty of food, water, and attention. Which my dogs have all of these. Our house is way too small to bring in 17 dogs and anyway most of them don't like to be inside. We bring in the dogs that like to be inside on occasions and starting this winter we are bringing in our 9 year old dog (who has lived outside all her life) There is absoulutely nothing wrong with them being outside and if you knew my dogs and their personalities you would understand and agree too. They don't want to be anywhere else.

No, I would not understand. No, I would not agree. If your house is "way too small" for the dogs you own, you have too many dogs, IMO. I once had fourteen dogs when I was doing breed rescue and they were all house dogs.

[sumbirdy]

No, I would not understand. No, I would not agree. If your house is "way too small" for the dogs you own, you have too many dogs, IMO. I once had fourteen dogs when I was doing breed rescue and they were all house dogs.

I bet you didn't live with your mother who has seizures so the chaos of 17 dogs in the house would kill her. We have a small house but a big yard.

[lwds]

I bet you didn't live with your mother who has seizures so the chaos of 17 dogs in the house would kill her. We have a small house but a big yard.

Then I say find a rescue to help you and stop taking in any more dogs. Don't you have a local shelter?

[sumbirdy]

No there is no local shelter. We are not taking in any more dogs (even though we had to tell my sister-in-law that after she brought home Novie) Mom can't bear to let any of them go and the dogs LIKE TO BE OUTSIDE.

[lwds]

No there is no local shelter. We are not taking in any more dogs (even though we had to tell my sister-in-law that after she brought home Novie) Mom can't bear to let any of them go and the dogs LIKE TO BE OUTSIDE.

Do I agree with them being outside 24/7? Hardly, but I'm more concerned for their safety.

[Twisterdog]

I bet you didn't live with your mother who has seizures so the chaos of 17 dogs in the house would kill her. We have a small house but a big yard.

No there is no local shelter. We are not taking in any more dogs (even though we had to tell my sister-in-law that after she brought home Novie) Mom can't bear to let any of them go and the dogs LIKE TO BE OUTSIDE.

The fact that your mother has seizures and can't stand the chaos of the dogs in the house makes me only more adamant in my original statement ... if your house is "way too small" for the dogs you own AND your mother can't stand them in the house, you have too many dogs, IMO.

And while it is certainly good that you are not taking in any more dogs, I think there is still a serious problem with the situation as it exists. To be perfectly blunt, someone who has too many dogs for the size of their home, does not allow them in the house, cannot seem to keep them from chasing cars, and "can't bear to let any of them go" is not a rescue, they are well on their way to being a hoarder.

As someone who has been involved in various aspects of shelters, kennels, and rescues for decades, I would strongly urge you to responsibly rehome the vast majority of these dogs and do not take in more. This is not a healthy situation, for the dogs or humans involved. I'm not saying this to hurt your feelings or cause problems, but I seriously see signs of trouble here ... signs that I have sadly seen too many times before, and the ending is rarely if ever pleasant.

[sumbirdy]

My brother is taking two of the dogs, and when I move out (in about a year) I am taking half of them (and yes they will be inside dogs then or at least inside/outside) There are already 7 dogs that get to come inside and mom said she would let one more in when I move.