is it mean to leave my three dogs in the backyard for a week by themselves?

Answer 1

YES

Answer 2

It depends.

If these are housedogs, it is not humane to simply dump them in the backyard for a week. They won't have time to adapt to the temperature and they will feel stressed being away from their usual area.

However if they are outdoor dogs with adequate housing and you have someone they know come by a couple of times a day to feed them, water them, spend some time playing with them, and clean their poop up and that person is willing to see that they get vet care if one of them gets sick, I think that is much better than taking a dog from it's home where it is comfortable and everything is familiar and having it locked up in a boarding kennel. Your dogs would not understand or enjoy being in strange surroundings and exposed to other dog's diseases and parasites. If your dogs are accustomed to living in a fenced yard and having a big area to run in a little chain link fenced kennel would seem like prison. And many kennels won't let dogs share a run so they wouldn't even have each other's company.

Answer 3

Perhaps a better solution is to bring them to a kennel for the week. Or if money is an issue, ask a friend or relative to take care of them (either at your house or at theirs). You never know what could happen while you're away. What if they get hung up on their chain? What if they get loose? The possibilities are endless. It's not mean, leaving a dog alone in the backyard for a week is negligent, irresponsible and cruel.

Answer 4

Yes.

I mean, how would you like being outside all week? What if it rains? What if they are cold? Won't they miss thier owner?

And about the distinction between animals and not animals, it might be a good idea to remind them that dogs have been bred as humans' companions for 5000+ years. They aren't bred to live in the wild anymore. Many breeds have lost the instincts and abilities to track, hunt and defend themselves in the wild. We (people) have been living inside only about the same amount of time, and I'm betting you wouldn't do that to a human (which is an animal as well BTW.)

Answer 5

Only if you don't have someone check on them and they EACH will need a weeks worth of food and shelter to keep them warm and dry in this winter season. And if you live where it snows a lot and it can freeze water you will need a neighbor to water them every morning and break the ice so that the dogs can drink.

Answer 6

Yes, jackass.

You should not have pets if you are not prepared to take the responsibility for their proper care.

At a *very* minimum you need to have a friend go over daily to check on them and make sure they have fresh food and water. However, the best solution is to have them boarded at a kennel while you are away.

Answer 7

is there a warm comfortable place in your yard where they know they can go when it gets cold or it rains? how will they get their supply of fresh water and food? unless you have some one, like a friend or a relative, who would be willing to give them fresh water and food, pet them and play with them for at least 10-15 mins a day for the duration of the time that you're gone, then yes it would be cruel.

Answer 8

Is someone going to come by and feed them and pay attention to them? Is is cold where you live and if so do they have a way to warm up? Are they ever inside?
If someone is going to take care of the them and spend time with them, it may be OK. I would not be able to do it. My dog is like my child.

Answer 9

YES!!!!!
Find someone else to take care of them for a week or u can expect to find some dead dogs when you get back. Its too cold for dogs to be out for a week.

Answer 10

I assume someone is going to be coming and feeding them and making sure they have water. I also assume you have made them a nice warm place to sleep and get out of the weather. If you have covered all these bases, your dogs would be fine. I guess it would be nice to know if they are used to being outside, if not, then yea it sounds mean to me.

Answer 11

Well, let's remember that these are animals and animals are used to being outside. However, this is winter. Will there be cold weather or can you predict that? No, you can't predict that if you live in the US. So, do what we do, hire a neighbor to feed and water once a day and to put them in a warmer spot if bad weather hits. It'll be worth the $20 bucks you spend to make sure they are not neglected.