more advice please?

Question

posted recently about change of job and difficulty keeping up with exercise routine of my border collie, some people suggested dog walkers and others suggested another dog, thanks to all for the advice. We have been considering the option of another dog, to keep Alfie company and occupied etc. my husband has said that if we decide to go for another he would rather that they are based outside, we would obviously provide warm and comfortable living conditions for them, however i have never really liked the idea of a dog living outside, do any of you think it is cruel or would it be ok. (and before anyone asks they would not be put out there and forgotton about, they would still be well looked after and loved)

thanks puffy, but i do really want alfie, unfortunately i am unable to predict the future so was not aware that my circumstances would change, posted for some advice not to be put down

yes puffy there is TWO of us, but my husband has been in hospital very ill for a long time, so he is not able to walk himself at moment never mind alfie,so i am trying to do the best i can.

just wanted to know peoples thoughts on dogs living outside, and if they thought it was acceptable thats all.

Answer 1

if you keep them 'outside'
they run the risk of escaping, and who knows what they could be getting into,
there was an estate where loads of people 'put' their dogs out side, and a couple of large packs roamed the street, causing so much trouble, they had to fine the owners, and shoot a few dogs
do you want that for your family dog.

Answer 2

Ignore the grim comments.
Realistically, I would not recommend keeping a house raised border collie outside. He will be very stressed and view it as expulsion. Its ok for tough breeds that have been brought up that way, but border collies really are people dogs and want to sit in the same room as you, even if you are not paying them any attention. Remember that a dog is a pack animal and it is unnatural for it to be excluded from the pack - except as a punishment.
If Alfie is too lively in the house for your ill husband - I suggest equiping yourself with a wide array of interesting chewy things and toys to keep him occupied. Also, adequate exercise will make him tired and quieter. Another technique is to only praise your dog when he is relaxed. Giving your dog attention when he demands it and when he is bouncey only reinforces the excitable behaviour!
I would not recommend getting another dog in this situation. Two dogs require the same amount of exercise etc and if you leave them to it in the garden it will soon be covered in a lot of poo and depress you! Also, there is additional expense, and they will make each other exciteable etc - that may be too much for your ill husband. He will probably feel compelled to check on them during the day and they will be jumping all over the place to greet him because they miss you etc. Two dogs are twice the worry.
I honestly recommend using a dog walker. Don't increase your doggy committments when you have trouble meeting the needs of one dog. Bear the cost of a dog walker to take him out for an hour a day - at lunch time - and then you can take him out for a quick walk in the morning and evening or when ever you can fit it all in.
You will be guilt free, alfie will be tired and sleepy, and your husband will be free from the responsibilities and can concentrate on improving his health.
At least try this for a few weeks before taking on the big committment of another dog - especially if you then have to get them both used to each other and living outdoors.

Answer 3

My last dog lived outside in our garden, he had a lovely big kennel with comfy bedding that he had access to at all times. He was a happy dog! He still got walked and played with for hours everyday and I think that if you make Alfie feel like he is still part of your family he should be ok. Don't make any drastic changes too soon, get a kennel and familiarise Alfie with it, put toys in there and let him wander in and out. You need to adjust his routine gradually.

With regards getting another dog to keep him company it might be a good idea but then again it may be lots more work for you in the long run so think hard before you commit to another dog.

I have a Border Collie pup now and I understand how much exercise/activity they need. The dog walker idea sounds great and perhaps you could also check if there is a dog socialisation club in your local area.

Good luck, I hope everything works out well and that your hubby feels better soon.x

Answer 4

I'm a dog trainer and actually I'm quite knowledgeable about many dog breeds. Border Collies (BCs) are herding dogs, and I know you know that, but I always tell my clients that herding dogs are in a world all their own.

They are so intelligent and active that if they are left alone, or worse if you have two left alone, they will most likely do some real damage. Either they will become escape artists. .....And don't kid yourself a BC can find a way to out-smart your confinement area. These dogs are determined workers and are one of the most intelligent breeds out there, I may even go as far as saying they are probably *the* most intelligent breed out there.

Anyway, I definitely, definitely, definitely do not suggest you add another dog. It will become a conspiracy for them to work together to find ways to keep themselves busy.

BCs have to be busy just about all the time or they will find ways to be busy. This usually means ways us humans will view as destructive, annoying and/or harmful.

Even a busy person can have a BC if you make up that time when you are home and on weekends/days off of work. Have you tried to join an agility class? They are usually only once a week. You can join this sport and work your dog both physically and mentally, which is the best form of exercise you could provide for a herding dog!

You could also try to find a herding dog class or clinic and do herding as a sport.

If you cannot provide some of these things I would sadly suggest you possibly exercise the idea of rehoming the dog to a home that can provide more activities for the dog.

Sometimes even those dog owners who have all the right intentions cannot provide the absolute necessary things for their dogs and that doesn't make you a bad person; it simply makes you human. As you stated, some unexpected things came up in your life and you have a husband that is ill.

The best thing for everyone may be to find this dog a new home. Or, if you can do one of the suggested items above maybe you all can form a great bond and have fun at the same time that you are exercising the dog!!

Answer 5

I've really thought about this question - i didnt see your other one. I think maybe you should go and ask someone who knows a lot about your particular breed. If you got another dog, then it would def be company for Alfie, providing he got on with it.

If you made nice warm kennels with a big outside run included then it would be satisfactory but not ideal. If you have to go down this route, then maybe you could still have someone come in half way through the time you will be away each day to see the dog/s and give him/them a proper walk away from the run.

If Alfie has always lived inside and you have always been there, then this will be a hard adjustment for you and him...... but better for you and him again too than having him rehomed to someone else.

He is YOUR dog and you MUST do the best you can for him, and it sounds to me like you are trying to do so. We all have changes of circumstances and we have to work round them.

I have a little dog, but i would never have got him if i had known that i would split up with my ex hub and marry someone else! It has been awkward but where there is a will there is a way! I hope you find a good solution.

All the best,

Faith

Answer 6

sorry i missed your other question. the last thing i would do is advise you to get another dog if you are having trouble exercising the one you already have. this will not eleminate your problem only multiply it by two. and not only will it add to your problem you will move you beloved pet who has been indoors and accustomed to being indoor dog outside. this is even more not fair to her. while you sound like a great pet owner and want the best for your dog, if she's already feeling neglected from your changing schedule how do you think she'll feel now that she's been banned from the house, which is the only way of life she's known and now she may have a buddy, but you are her best buddy. stick with the dog walker ideas and try to get up earlier and take her for a short brisk walk and one before bed. and hopefully you can add extra time on the weekend if you are off work then. good luck to you and i hope you find the right decision that will really benefit your problem and your pet and not make more trouble for yourself and your dog. border collies are very smart and could get very destructive outdoors if she is bored, digging and barking, etc...and now you are stuck with your decision and two dogs causing trouble. best of luck to you, and i'm not coming down on you just giving you something to think about.

Answer 7

Some dogs actually do better outdoors then others.

I own an australian shepherd, which is a very near cousin to the border collie. Herding dogs such as ours NEED to be outside, and NEED to be doing something every waking second of their lives. They need a job, and they need excitement. They're very hard to keep up with!

I think a companion for your dog would be a wonderful idea, but make sure you can get another dog that matched his energy level as not to wear it out.. Perhaps another border collie, an australian shepherd, or a australian cattle dog? I'd say stay within the herding group, but watch out, because they all have tons of hair that need to be kept up with, although shaving them in the summer time would probably be ideal for them.

The one thing about them being outside, especially in the winter if you live in a cold area, is that if they get matted up, it effects the way their body heat circulates through their fur.. so like I said, make sure they stay pretty well brushed through the winter months.

Hope I could be of some help, and I wish you the best with your family :)

Answer 8

Whats the point in getting another then if you first doggie friend will then be chucked outside? HE wont understand after years of being with you he hasnt done something wrong?

And yes I do think its cruel unless they are dogs that have always lived outside.

Take Alfie to a Collie Rescue and let someone who really wants a dog and can spend the required time excercising to have him.

Answer 9

well technacially no it wouldnt be considered cruel to most folks because dogs are animals and are built for life in the outdoors but your dog has been a house dog for a long time and sudden change in his life style might upset him. true he might readily adapt but he also might feel like hes being punished for something or that he isnt loved anymore. my family and I went out of town for about a week or so during the summer and we had to leave my dog in an outdoor kennel facility, and seeing as my dog is an indoors dog she got very upset and refused to eat for a couple days and when we returned home and picked her up she was just a tad bit angry with us and ignored us for a couple days.

Answer 10

as long as quality time is spent with the dogs then collies are outside dogs and should be as happy as larry out there getting another dog is probably the best answer but i would go to a shelter to get another.. not a puppy as its too cold for a puppy to be outside and they have to learn to get along so if you get an older dog from the rescue then they should advise you if there was any problems ...

Answer 11

Dogs are naturally pack animals and need to be with their pack.

But making the dogs outside dogs will you suffer behavioural problems.

Families simply can not provide the amount of interaction/company a dog needs if it is kept outside.