Trying to understand the logic...?

Question

I'm not critisizing or condemning anyone. I'm really just trying to understand the other side of the argument. No smart *ss or p*ssy comments. I want to understand the logic behind getting a pet but then not having it around you.

Does anyone keep their dog outside all the time? And why?

Thank you. So many of you put a lot of thought into this.

Doglvr, you helped to put things into perspective (somewhat). I know that some people just toss them out in the yard because it's easier (a**holes), but I was looking for a good solid justifiable reason to keep a dog outside.

Answer 1

I wasn't sure about answering this, because I don't know if I really qualify as someone who has a pet but keeps it outside. I guess it depends on how you define "pet". I adore every single one of my dogs, but they have other jobs besides companion.

Anyway, most of my dogs live outside, in a kennel. There are many reasons for this. A couple:

They are Siberian Huskies, and generally prefer to be outside (hey, they sleep *on top* of their dog houses during snow storms!).

They are working sled dogs (and many of them show dogs), and we have more of them than could fit into a house.

They are pack-oriented, and honestly seem to prefer being out with their buddies in the kennel yard rather than inside the house, where it's hot and there are all of these "rules" (like, don't eat the cats!). Humans are fun, but not that fun. -- Again, this is a function of their breed, origin, and temperament.

I spend a great deal of time out in my kennel when I'm at home, generally with a large pack of dogs crowding around me and then wandering off...crowding and wandering off..crowding and wandering off...

I don't feel that these dogs are "missing" anything -- after all, they are with their pack, doing what they are bred to do.

However, if I had only one or two dogs, and especially if they were not bred for the climate, they would be indoors with me. In fact, we have 3 Dachshunds and 2 older, retired Siberians who are considered the "house dogs". They are their own pack, minus the cat-eating!

Answer 2

My dog is an indoor dog. A pampered pet, infact, she even comes to work with me.

However, there are many breeds who are suited to outdoor life. A dog's purpose is not always as a pet, some are working dogs, guard dogs, farm dogs etc. They live very happily outside.

Infact, a dog is happiest when it understands its "job." Often housepets become frustrated when their life is too cushy and they have no purpose other then to be a pet.

It all depends on the breed.

Having said that, dogs are pack animals and don't like to be left alone all the time.

My brother who lives in the country has three dogs, all of whom live outside. They have freerun of his property, which they guard. Their days are happily spent running and playing all day. They are high energy dogs who would be discontent being locked up in a house, which they would view as a giant kennel.

I hope this sheds some perspective for you. All dogs are not suited to outdoors, and some are not well suited for homelife.

Answer 3

sorry...I'll be of no help, as I don't understand it either.

It really bugs me to see people get kittens or puppies and then once they become cats and dogs they get no attention and are treated like a burden.

My cats (4) and my new puppy are my children. I think about them at work, get so happy as I am walking up the sidewalk since I am going to see them soon, I dream about them, I must have at least one around me while I am watching TV or the like, and can't sleep unless someone is in the bed with me. (LOL. with so many of them, I'm gonna have to get my poor boyfriend to sleep on the couch soon!!)

My guess for these people is that they likely didn't realize that the pet was going to chew stuff, or smell like an animal or sometimes not do exactly what was wanted of them at all times. I'd like to say that these people shouldn't have pets, but where would all these pets go!!

Yah, and the whole they are animals thing and need to be outside is crap...they ceased to be "wild animals" when they were domesticated...that's like saying we should be outside all the time because a long time ago we were animals too.....I have a 55 lb 8 mos. pure bred dumb dawg (husky/shep/lab/terrier cross) and when we first got him I was sure he was gonna tear up my yard running circles....but you know what...as much as he likes being outside..he really only wants to be out there with me, if I'm not out, he does his business and comes to the door. (Which I am realizing is gonna suck, cause a dog that big really needs a lot of excerise and right now we just hit -20 Celsius and it's only November.)

Also, I have had people who tell me that I am creul because my cats are indoor cats...bull Sh*t...I take them out on a harness everyday in the summer, and in the winter they don't want to go...and again...they only want to be out when I am out anyway.

Hoo...sorry...little tirade here.

Answer 4

I did with one GSD several years ago. He was HAPPIER outside, when he lived in the house he just wanted to go out. I did spend quite a bit of time outdoors myself, so he got plenty of daily attention. He was also a show/obedience dog and went to shows/trials as well as went to town to run errands with me. He was in a large kenneled area when I wasn't outside, and had a 'house' made of haybales that was very warm.

Now, my current dogs, they are much happier on the couch or in the bed! I can barely get them to go outside to potty!

I do think it is stupid to get a dog and then leave it outside and ignore it, but that is not always the case.


ak_kayake - And *I* cannot imagine taking my dogs to a public daycare where the people usually know little or nothing about how to handle a pack of dogs! I helped set up a couple and the total lack of dog knowledge was scary and dangerous. Not MY dogs! EVER!

Answer 5

People love teh whole idea of having a pet...and they have these utopian ideas about what is is to own one..but once they get it..instead of house training it (which is a lot of work) they figure its easier to leave them outside...they dont realise that owning a pet is a lot of work...and actually i think many people dont realise how much pets really need their owners companionship...I think alot of it is also laziness and irresponsibility... when people first get a dog they go thu a honemoon peiriod and then they get over it...just like most marriages

Another instance is when children beg their parentsto get a dog and promose they will take good care of them...yeah right they do for a week and then its over .

Answer 6

I have a german shepard husky mix and he's an outside dog. We've tried bringing him in the house and he hates it, he begs to go outside. He rolls in the snow in the winter time. The only time he will come in and stay in is during the colder months at night but he wants out as soon as we get up in the morning. We walk him regularly and he gets to run around in our large fenced in yard as well. We give him all sorts of attention. I think there is a difference in an owner who hooks a dog up and never does anything with it.

Answer 7

I have two outdoor dogs. They don't like to come in the house and love to play in the snow. They have a nice big dog run with a large doghouse and a very warm soft dog bed in it. They seem to be very happy and I take one of them for a walk in the morning and the other in the afternoon so they get exercise. I do want to get a smaller dog that I can keep in the house though.

Answer 8

I don't understand it either. I have three small dogs. I have a fenced in yard for them to run around in and play. But for the most part they are indoors...usually asleep on the couch! And when I'm at work they go to dog day care. I can't imagine just leaving my dogs outside all day.

Answer 9

I have 4 dogs and they all are indoor dogs.

My neighbor however has a dog she leaves outside 24/7. Why she leaves him out all the time, I have no idea but he barks all night long.

Makes no sense to me to have a dog in the family and banish it to the yard as if it's done something wrong. And people wonder why their dogs run away....

Answer 10

Some people like having a dog or cat, but are allergic (or someone else in the household is), so having them as an outdoor pet, allows them to still own one, and not affect the allergies.

Others feel that the animal would feel happier outdoors, as that is their wild descendants ''natural habitat''.