How do you feel about outside only pets?

[Tonya]

I have to add, when we were first dealing with Jaden's allergies, I kept the dogs outside only. It is much more difficult to give dogs the attention they need when you have to go outside all the time. I constantly felt guilty like they weren't seeing me enough on the weekdays. It's so much easier to give them the attention when they're by your side. You really have to be an outdoor person in able to fairly have an outdoor dog.

[jcsperson]

Originally posted by Glacier
Giggle, my main lead dog is like that. She recently discovered the couch and now I have to harness her up in the house! She still loves to pull once she gets out there, but Pingo is loving life in the house.

The best long distance runners eat raw meat, wear fur and sleep in the snow!

I love your signature! Maybe I should have one that reads:

"The best sprinters eat raw meat, wear a little fur and sleep on shredded paper!"

[Kona & Oreo's mom]

I do not believe that one situation is the only good situation for every animal. Outside, inside, and combo--there are many ways that these can be good and many ways they can be bad. Without knowing the specific circumstances, I try not to judge. Some things are just not cut and dry.

[Becki]

Personally, I can't see having an outside only pet. I feel there is a time and a place for both outside and inside pets, though, and the needs of the animal need to be.

[Karen]

I think if it is the animals' preference, and all efforts that have been made to try to make her/him feel comfortable in the house have been to no avail, like some of the dogs you mentioned, then that's fine. My cousin's Border Collie mix was one of those. She would willingly come inside to eat, and to make sure all her people were okay, but then she wanted OUT! How else could she check on all the other critters under her care? After all, every living creature - the pigs, chickens, even random squirrels who stopped by - NEED to be monitored every few seconds, right? YOU try convincing a determined Border Collie otherwise! She was a great dog, and I am sure is keeping everyone at the Rainbow Bridge herded into their correct spots.

But, like everyone else, "outside only" dogs that are neglected and would rather be WITH their people I find heartbreaking.

[Phoebe]

As long as the dog is not neglected..not just left outside and forgotten..it is ok if that is what that particular dog prefers. I HATE to see dogs in pens all the time or worse yet on those running chains..that stinks! I knew someone who had a chow chow and it was NEVER off that darn chain..and it was reported and they said they were not breaking any laws!! Aghhh...that poor dog was so sad looking all the time. He has long since gone on to RB where he can be carefree and have all the running time he wants..

They also should be brought in when its cold or given a good house and hay or something to stay warm/dry and have plenty of water at all times.

Gracie loves to be outside and she is out a lot but we are out with her in the back yard..shr races all over the yard and we play ball and frisbee..but she is definately an indoor kinda girl..she wouldn't want to be out there if we were not with her.

[wolf_Q]

My best friends dogs are kept outside only. I know that they are well taken care of, they are spayed/neutered, get let out to play at least 2-3 times a day, taken for walks, etc. They are extremely well loved, I know she loves her dogs just as much as I love my dogs. I still have a really hard time with it. Especially in the winter when it is all wet and cold...they both have short coats too. I often think about them sleeping out there on cold winter nights. If it were her choice they would be inside (at least at night) but her parents are NOT pet people and they will not allow any animal in the house.

I would NEVER keep a dog outside only. Even if they dog has a coat where they are ok in the cold (like Nebo) I feel that dogs should be able to come in the house and be part of the family. Nebo loves to be outside, he's constantly wanting out. Usually he just lays in the grass and looks around, I know he really enjoys it. However, normally if he's been out for more than 15 minutes he's on the deck waiting for the door to open...and any longer than that he's scratching at the door!

It doesn't bother me to leave dogs outside (in a secure fenced area, NOT tied up) while you are gone to work, etc. as long as they are allowed to come in and out when you are home or at least sleep inside. I haven't used it in months but I do have a dog run that I have left Nebo in while I was at work. I know he would just love to have free roam of the backyard but I don't think the fence is secure enough.

I've seen many extremely matted and neglected dogs where I work, and the majority of them have been outside only dogs. A while ago a guy brought in 2 filthy, matted king charles spaniels (which I believe were bred to be companion dogs) with extension cords as leashes. The groomer had to use a surgical blade to shave the 5 inch thick matts of their ears. It's cases like that where I have to wonder WHY people get dogs...what, as a lawn ornament maybe? I am NOT by any means saying that everyone who keeps their dogs outside only neglects them...just that most of the neglected dogs I have seen have been outside only.

As far as cats go I do not agree with outside only cats. The same friend that has the outside dogs also has an outside cat...he hasn't been seen in months, he is probably at the RB now. When he did come to the house (in the garage), it was just every now and then and he was always covered in cuts and scraps, most likely from fights with other cats. I understand when the cat is born feral and can't be house tamed, but he was not born that way...he actually used to be allowed in the house before they moved. For me it's like why bother getting a pet when you treat it like a wild animal.

I also don't like inside/outside cats. I couldn't handle not knowing where my cat was at all times, not knowing what dangers they could be in. I don't care where you live, it's still dangerous to allow your pet to roam freely IMO. Now if you have a secure enclosed outside area for the cats or you take them out on a harness I think that is fine. If I were ever able to get cats they would be strictly inside only.

This is all just my opinion and if you don't agree with it, I don't care. And just for the record I understand situations that you have no control over (such as your parents not allowing pets in the house).

[Glacier]

Originally posted by jcsperson
I love your signature! Maybe I should have one that reads:

"The best sprinters eat raw meat, wear a little fur and sleep on shredded paper!"

LOL! That's cute. I stole mine from an old Alaskan Airlines commercial!

[bckrazy]

I do not agree with anyone who says they have an "outside dog". Dogs are pack animals instinctively, they want to be with their family inside... to deny them of that is horrible but what can you do? People are cruel, and stupid. I'd like every person who forces their dog to sleep out in the cold and snow to try sleeping a night out there (even with a fur coat on... ), or try spending a day in a cage alone. with some people (like Glacier), who have working dogs, it is completely understandable. But people who just leave their dogs in the backyard alone all day and night, need to be shot

My dogs have always been, and will always be a part of the family, and therefore "indoor dogs". Gonzo has the option of going in or out with his dog door, and 90% of the day he is inside with his people ^^

[guster girl]

Originally posted by jcsperson
I love your signature! Maybe I should have one that reads:

"The best sprinters eat raw meat, wear a little fur and sleep on shredded paper!"

Ha ha, I like her signature, too, and, you should make yours read that. Just to be a copycat, I'll make mine say "the best pals eat raw meat, shed like crazy, and, sleep on the couch", cuz that's my Finn!

[cyber-sibes]

It depends on the situation - What about the poor house dog thats crated all day waiting for its owner? I think "alone" is tough on the dog, whether it's inside or out. I hate hearing people say their dog is "crate-trained" - how would you like to be confined for hours at a time where you can't stretch or walk around or go to the bathroom?
I see the real issue as proper care -and uncared for , whether in or out, is the worst! I too hate seeing a dog that always tied on a chain or confined to a little square kennel.

My sibes happily live outside 24/7. they have a huge area fenced inbetween several buildings they have access to. They sleep in a greenhouse in the winter - they get incredibly warm and then run out to roll around in the snow--(could this be doggie sauna?) They go to the dogpark to run everyday and we take walks on our 4 acres. Huskies love to dig, so their kennel has lots of grass and open ground for digging dens - they have favorite pits all over the yard. They are well cared for and loved deeply.
I work from home and bring them in ocasionally - they love to nap inside - but as soon as they're awake, they want OUT!

When I was trying to get a second dog, I inquired about huskies that were rescued and recived a couple really nasty notes from people who think keeping a dog outside disqualifies you from being a good owner - I think they don't understand this breed. (These were on petfinder, not huskie rescue sites, who DO understand) However, if I lived in the south, no way I'd have huskies outdoors in constant heat. You have to do what's best for the nature of the breed.

[Buddy Blaze Lover]

It depends on what kind of dog you have!! For smaller dogs who NEED to be inside, I think it's essential that they be indoor. If they're large dogs, and want to be outside, need excercise, destroy the house, etc...I think they should be outdoor. Blaze is a mostly outdoor dog since my parents don't want to clean house all the time, and have him scratch the floor with his toenails. Blaze also HATES being cooped up, so whenever he comes inside, he looks for trouble and feels cooped up, so being outside is a good thing for him. With ALLL that energy, he'd ruin the entire house being the dog he is!! (ha) Still, I always bring him in during bad weather, etc. He's just a natural outdoor dog!

[petslover]

I don't agree with crates either.

[PJ's Mom]

I don't understand people who get a pet only to leave it outside all the time. Why bother?

[petslover]

My dog is outside all the time, and I don't see anything wrong with it. I don't mistreat her and play with her all the time. I don't consider myself a bad dog owner at all.