Does anyone else think it's cruel and pointless to have "Outside" dogs?

Question

Why even get a pet if you aren't going to open you home and heart to it?

Answer 1

I agree that having a dog as an "outside" pet is cruel and pointless.

Dogs are social animals who need the company of family to thrive.

Outside dogs develop bad behaviors such as escaping, digging, excessive barking etc out of boredom and lack of socialization and training.

Also, you never know who is teasing/feeding/taunting your dog, and he may wind up very sick, poisoned, or aggressive.

Most dogs can not tolerate extremes in weather conditions...dogs are domesticated and rely on their family to provide them with food, water, shelter, and safety from the elements and from others.

Out door dogs tend to "bother" the owners and those around them, resulting in the dog being picked up or surrendered to an animal control or shelter. This is no fault of the dog, this is entirely due to lack of interaction and much needed guidance from it's human family.

I wonder every day why people get a dog just to leave it outdoors alone...

http://www.libertydogtraining.com

Answer 2

I completely believe that no cat or dog should be an "outdoor only" pet the problem I am concerned with the most is people who allow their pet to roam freely on open land where they are generally hit by cars or attacked by wild animals and people who keep their animals isolated from their house (dog house far from the house) and on a chain. What kind of life do these pets have if they meet very tragic, painful, early deaths or spend their life among a five foot radius. We take these animals in to provide a life for them, but many people toss them in their backyard only to be forgotten about. No animal deserves a life like this. Dogs crave human attention and I am sure when a dog house is 50 yards from a house with a chain hooked to it, the animal is not getting anywhere near the attention they deserve. These owners should find new homes for their animals.

Answer 3

Personal I think That If your dog perfers out side then its not such a cruel Thing But If u Dont want the dog in your house bc of the smell or something then why did u buy it??? Also People use " outside " dogs For To protect There House i thinks that is also Cruel Bc U should Get something else other than a dog to protect your house its not there respoblilty

Answer 4

I don't think it's cruel always. To keep a dog chained up outside with no interaction at all. Yes, that is cruel. I have a golden retriever. I would say he is an indoor/outdoor dog. He loves being outside. I have a huge yard for him to run around in. He has a huge doghouse, that even has lights and a heater in it. But, he does come in at night and sometimes throughout the day. It's really his choice. Sometimes I try to let him in, and he won't come in at all. So I'd say it really depends on the dog and the situation.

Answer 5

No, it's niether cruel nor pointless to have an outdoor dog, providing that dog is properly cared for.

All dogs are not pets. Many are working dogs. The facts are, dogs love to work. Dogs as pets are even more likely to develope issues, as this is an unnatural setting for them.

Simply put, dogs are not humans. They are dogs.

However, I do object strongly to urbanites, who chain their dogs outside for hours at a time with no care, stimulation or protection from the elements. That is indeed cruel.

But realize, that is not the case for all outdoor dogs.

Answer 6

I agree and disagree...... cruel, depends, pointless again it depends. My friends have a german Shepherd who is an outside dog. But he has a whole shed for his use and he doesnt potty in it so he is very much sheltered and I believe he is happy outside. They have 500 acres and he loves to just roam them. In his case I truly believe he is happiest outside. But this is a rare case. Most people dont have the land or that dog with the same personality. The keep a toy dog or terrier, or any dog confined to a backyard or on a chain is cruel! but this is just an opinion.

Answer 7

I think it's much better to have them inside. I realize they were at one time an animal that lived in nature alone however over time they have been domesticated and bred as such. Their coats are not as thick, their predatory instincts are not as high among other things. Brachecephalic dogs definitely do not belong outside as they are too sensitive to the changes in temperature. Animals should be a part of the family & home.

Answer 8

We have chihuahuas that are inside dogs and we have a blue heeler mix that is an outside dog. She is our guard dog, our protector. She would go crazy if kept cooped up in a house all the time. Dogs like her that are bred to work are not meant to be inside dogs. The reason they seem so mellow is they are always depressed. Our Gracie is one of the happiest dogs you could ever want to meet. She gets lots of love and attention. She bounces to meet us her tail wagging, turning circles from excitement. She does that if we have been gone 2 hours or if she saw us 5 minutes ago. She comes in when she wants, which is rarely. She loves it outside, she loves her job. She is a wonderful dog, very cherished by our family. If she was kept inside it would be abuse.

Answer 9

I have outside dogs, and they love the outside. One can open their heart to a pet and keep it outside or do you believe that you should keep a horse indoors? Animals by nature belong outside, but I am not against an inside pet. Some large dogs like mine are not suited to indoor life. Of course, I live in the country. If I lived in the city, I probably would think differently about having my pets outside.

Answer 10

I feel the same way. If I have a dog or any animal for that matter, I want it to be a part of my family. If there is anything that I cannot stand, is to see a dog box at the very end of someones property away from everything,and everyone, chained there and never being walked or paid attention to. Sometimes, not even being fed or watered properly!!! Do the animal a favor and find it a good home where it can have a life!!!