Dog kept inside or outside?

[ramanth]

I voted inside/outside. But in some cases, like Glacier's crew, I don't mind that the dogs are outside only. She has dogs that refuse to come inside and they live outside all their life. But she, unlike some dog owners, plays with them, gives them attention and you know they are happy and loved.

My neighbors growing up had malamutes that would not go inside. They would whine and paw at the door to get out. During storms or really cold months, they'd drag them inside, but man, were those dogs ever happy when they were let back out. They had a large kennel and heated shed that was home.

I can't imagine having an indoor only dog. But there is a woman at my apartment complex that never takes her dog outside. She just puts down pee pads for him to potty on and then she cleans it up.

Could you imagine!?

[Buddy Blaze Lover]

Blaze is both, but he prefers to be outside quite a bit...guess the house isn't big enough for him to run around in all the time, lol!

[luvofallhorses]

Originally posted by ramanth
I voted inside/outside. But in some cases, like Glacier's crew, I don't mind that the dogs are outside only. She has dogs that refuse to come inside and they live outside all their life. But she, unlike some dog owners, plays with them, gives them attention and you know they are happy and loved.

My neighbors growing up had malamutes that would not go inside. They would whine and paw at the door to get out. During storms or really cold months, they'd drag them inside, but man, were those dogs ever happy when they were let back out. They had a large kennel and heated shed that was home.

I can't imagine having an indoor only dog. But there is a woman at my apartment complex that never takes her dog outside. She just puts down pee pads for him to potty on and then she cleans it up.

Could you imagine!?

some people shouldn't have animals if they are too lazy for them to have exercise, they shouldn't get one( I didn't mean to offend you in any way ramanth)

[Glacier]

Originally posted by ramanth
I voted inside/outside. But in some cases, like Glacier's crew, I don't mind that the dogs are outside only. She has dogs that refuse to come inside and they live outside all their life. But she, unlike some dog owners, plays with them, gives them attention and you know they are happy and loved.

I would greatly prefer that all my dogs could come and go from the house as they pleased. The vast majority of them do. I've had up to 16 in the house at once! Some I have to rotate--Goldie hates Preacher and will fight with him even inside, not all the girls can be together, Raven has to be supervised or there will be trouble, Hobo gets into the garbage if he's allowed to roam the house freely. With 21 dogs, it's a constant juggling act to balance their personalities and special quirks! Some of them only like to come in for short periods--Heyoka likes to get a treat, make sure he isn't missing anything fun and go back outside. He's a malamute and he overheats very quickly.

The exceptions, who don't come in, are Delta and Kayleigh.
Kayleigh doesn't mind being inside, but she has a completely out of control prey drive. She would, with great delight, kill all my cats in minutes. She is allowed inside when I can lock all the cats up, safely out of her reach. It's nerve wracking for me though as there is always a possiblity of a door popping open or a cat sneaking out somehow! This summer my husband is going to build Kayleigh a new pen. It will be attached to his shop and have a doggy door for her. He spends a great deal of time out there and his Dad is there every day (he's a carver and uses the shop to work). Kayleigh will be able to come and go from the shop at will. We will both like that!

Delta is afraid of the house. He won't come inside. I did have him in on the weekend, but I had to corner him in the yard and carry him to the house. Not pleasant for either of us. I want to get Delta working as a sled dog next winter. His gait is flawless and I'm sure he'd do well in harness. His brother is a great sled dog! So this summer/fall, Delta is my project dog. Hopefully, by next winter, he will want his house time too!

My dogs are all northern breeds, so cold doesn't bother them. They all have insulated dog houses full of straw if they want to sleep outside. I make a special effort to spend extra time with Kayleigh every day. If I had different breeds, they would need to be inside even more.

I think outdoor only dogs, under certain circumstances are fine, but it takes a special effort from the owner to make sure their needs are met. A dog who is simply left as a yard ornament is not acceptable!

[Pit Chick]

Originally posted by Glacier
A dog who is simply left as a yard ornament is not acceptable!

(with much sarcasm)
Oh, come one now, it's not a yard ornament if it's outside 24/7 365 with nothing to do....it's being a "guard dog" like it's ancestors were bred to be a loooooong time ago.

Well said Glacier.

[ramanth]

Originally posted by luvofallhorses
some people shouldn't have animals if they are too lazy for them to have exercise, they shouldn't get one( I didn't mean to offend you in any way ramanth)

You didn't offend me. I was just responding to the poll.

Kia is inside all day when I'm at work, mainly because I live in an apartment.

Even if I did have a house with a fenced yard and doggie door, Kia would likely still be indoors when she's home alone, because she's a fence jumper.

Plus I'd be worried someone would take her.

[rizzy]

Sally is kept indoors. She is in her kennel most of the day. Sometimes she is let to roam around the house.

[Albea]

I posted this in "Dog General" a couple of days ago. It is not meant for anybody in Pet Talk, we are all responsible guardians. But if you ever have to convince somebody who leaves a dog outside, because of ignorance or neglect, this article will give you a very good "talking point."

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." _

[Pit Chick]

Originally posted by Albea
"Many potential adopters ask "Is this an 'outside' dog?"

We hear the same things during adoptions. "I'm looking for an outside dog" or "I'm looking for a dog I can keep inside".

-There's no such thing as an outside dog
-All of these dogs are kept inside

After establishing that, they respond with, "I mean a little dog". Why are little dogs the only ones that should be kept inside?

[gemini9961]

Both of my girls are inside dogs when we are not home. One stays in the laundry room with her bed and food/water and the other in the bathroom with her bed and food/water. They like to go outside and play but only if I'm out there with them and if I sneak in the house then they are at the door whining, especially the older one. The little one will stay in the yard by herself but I have to watch her since she can escape under the fence. So, they are inside dogs except when I go out with them.