Dog kept inside or outside?

[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.

[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!

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 )

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.

[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

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..