Does everyone believe that if your dog is outside it's mistreated???

Question

I asked a question earlier about my dog that has heartworms (he already had them when I adopted him from the shelter) and he is an outside dog. I felt like I was put a trial for having an outside dog. Now, poor Hannah has an outside dog that whines when it rains and everyone is giving her the 3rd degree because her dog is outside.

I love my dogs dearly but they do spend time outside - they need to. They are all 4 large dogs (all of them over 50 pounds). The commnets I'm reading are that if you have a dog outside you should get rid of them??? I'm confused about this - in my town most dogs I see are outside. My co-workers are shocked that I have 3 dogs in the house.

I agree that in excessive heat, excessive cold, or bad weather a dog should be brought inside but I'm sorry if it's a nice day I'm sending the kids outside to play for awhile. Maybe I'm just reading these messages wrong - any opinions???

By the way, I do appreciate those that answered the question about the heartworms. I care for this dog very much and he will be inside for 3 weeks after the treatment, but he has to be outside some before - he can't stay in the house. He is very well cared for and has a lot of room outside. He's fed twice and day and given fresh water twice a day. He also gets to stay under our house which is very cool in the summer.

By the way, my outside dog is currently in the house under my feet. He comes in at least once a day and my other dogs go outside and play with him. I believe it is cruel to have a dog by itself locked in a pen all day and you never bring it in. I hope you guys don't get the wrong idea about me I truly do love my dogs!!!

Beau is being treated for heartworms on August 13th. The Humane Society I adopted him from had him outside when I adopted and they were just happy he was getting a home. She knew he would be inside and outside (outside most of the time). I have kept in contact with them and send the shelter pictures. I've only had him 2 months.

Also, my dog is not on a chain. We live in the country and he has plenty of room to roam. My other male dogs often goes out and sleeps with him at night.

Answer 1

I would NEVER have a dog & make him live outside!! How would you feel if you were that dog? Put youself in their paws!! My dogs goes outside, but they don't live outside.At one time I had 5 Dobermans in my house & a couple were 100lbs & the other three were 65-80lbs!!!
EDIT: Your dogs should have access to water 24 / 7 !!!

Answer 2

Ok, I'm not sure from your question, how long your dogs are outside. There are those of us are against a dog living it's entire life on a chain or in a pen, with no human companionship. It is not enough to feed and water them(many don't even receive that!). Dogs are pack animals and when obtained as a pet, you become their pack. This is a basic need. Many dogs become aggressive if chained(inside or outside,yes, some are chained in basements, garages,in horrible conditions.) Others go insane. A chained dog is 2.5 times more likely to bite than an in home dog. Being outside to play is fine and very enjoyable for your dogs, just don't leave them there their entire life. Life on a chain is inhumane. Please pass the word to your friends and co-workers!

Answer 3

I believe dogs should be indoor dogs. if it rains, or is too cold outside, or too hot, or snowing or a hailstorm, they should be brought in. Or every once in a while (maybe 3 times a week) be brought in for an hour or 2 just to play with them and let them relax indoors. It is important for dogs and all other animals to have a lovng caring owner and let them know they are loved and give them plenty of attention and the best life possible. Also I noticed you said you have four dogs and only 3 dogs in the house. What about the fourth one? You leave it outside while the others are inside. That is very unfair and mean to the other dog to be left outside alone while the others are inside. It should be all 4 dogs inside or all 4 dogs outside. Not 3 dogs inside and one left all alone. That Poor dog!!

Answer 4

I don't think you have as strong a relationship, or as much enjoyment, with having dogs outside. If you have several dogs living together outside, you are more like their housekeeper. They are their own pack and you show up to feed them and care for them on a regular basis.

I'm sure they appreciate that you do this but it is completely different from having them follow you around the house and be with you all the time.

I also think it depends on the breed and the individual dog. Some are much more clingy than others and fail to thrive on their own.

I also think that dogs that live inside are much cleaner than those relegated to the outside where dust, moisture, bugs, etc. are all around them. Still, even if they have a palace outside with their own swimming pool and two-story air conditioned dog house, a dog's place is right next to you.

Humans also benefit from this close association. Dogs are great stress relievers and can also help humans have better relationships with each other.

I don't think your dogs are mistreated but I suspect they would be much happier inside with the family.

Answer 5

My grandparents breed German Shepherds and most of them have always been outside dogs full time. I see nothing wrong with having outside dogs as long as you are willing to make sure that they are the proper breed for an outside dog, keep them properly fed and watered, make sure they are kept clean, make sure they are given proper shelter from the elements, and give them any other attention that they need.

I grew up around these dogs and actually, there were only two that were ever vicious to me. One was probably because I was a kid (like 6 yrs old) and antagonized it, the other was kept in a kennel and she attacked me. I'm guessing that it was partly that she had too much energy from being pent up all day, all the time (she was my aunt's dog, not my grandparents) and also that she was not raised and trained well. She was extremely protective of my aunt. My uncle couldn't even be in the same room without hearing the growls.

Don't feel like you are doing the wrong thing, just make sure that you do the proper research about the breed you own and make sure you love and care for it and you'll do fine.

Answer 6

Don't worry - many well cared for and much loved dogs spend much of their time outdoors. A lot of human children play outside too ...

You have mentioned weather extremes so obviously they are not out there in those conditions.

As long as your dogs are able to spend time with you and are happy and content you are doing the right thing.

Answer 7

I believe that an outside dog (a dog that spends the MAJORITY of it's time outside) can have a fairly good life. Dogs that live inside but spend a large part of the day outside in a securely fenced yard are not the same thing as an outside dog.

However, I also firmly believe that no outside dog's QUALITY of life is EVER as good as an inside dog's quality of life. Outside dogs spend most of their time alone, separated from their pack. Even when an owner makes a concious effort to spend time with their dog, they are still going to spend the majority of their time inside or away from home. And when the weather is less than ideal (not excessive, but not exactly comfortable either) they will spend even less time with their dog. They are more likely to become ill because they are more likely to come into contact with parasites or stray/wild animals carrying diseases. They are also more likely to suffer when they become ill because their owners, no matter how caring or observant, will take longer to recognize or may completely miss the subtle warnings and beginning symptoms of illness...which results in a longer time between when the dog actually becomes ill and when the dog is seen by a vet. That doesn't even cover the nut-job/wacko/vindictive neighbor contingency that feels outside dogs are placed their for their perverted enjoyment. These people think nothing of throwing rocks and sticks at dogs, shooting at them with air guns (or in some cases real guns), teasing them, or poisoning them.

Answer 8

Alot of these people are ignorant about people having outside dogs. Our 3 week old pup Chico sleeps outside at night chained up until the morning when I get up and unchain him to go and do his duties and he then comes in the house for the rest of day. He does not show agression towards us and does not whine when is sleeping chained up. He gets all the attention he needs and food and water and when it rains he sleeps inside or when it is too hot. It is quite common here in Portugal that dogs sleep outside whith shelter and food and water. The weather here is warmer and it does not snow like in Canada and in parts of the US.

Answer 9

I actually think the opposite. It's truly horrible to have your dog in the house constantly, they need the sunlight and fresh air, like people do, all these people talking about how they have like 5 dogs that are really big and are feeling proud that they are in the house, I wont say its mistreating them, but i hope you have a mansion because that's no where near enough space for them to have, they need exercise at all times, at least one walk a day plus outside yard time. They are social creatures and need company yes, but if you have more than one dog outside with them plus time in the house with the owners then I don't see what the problem is here, unless you pretty much have them locked outside all day, that I think isnt fair, but i also think it isnt fair to have then locked in the house too, you all think your so awesome having your dogs in the house, but really your the ones that arent treating them properly if they never see outside and get to stretch their legs.
What I do, is leave my back door open all day, and let my pets roam how they see fit. That way I don't feel like im forcing them to anything. It's their choice, my cats all have different tastes, one of them loves to be outside during the day, the other 2 are half and half, the dog is probably inside more than out, but thats probably cos he is only like 9 weeks old lol. So we play in the house more often.

Answer 10

Many people are ignorant on the subject of outside dogs. They hear the horror stories of dogs stuck on chains, fed and watered once daily (sometimes not even that!), and otherwise ignored, and then people assume that that's the life of an outside dog. They don't realize that dogs CAN be happy, well-cared for, and given plenty of attention, despite being outside. I know plenty of dogs on farms whose owners spend WAY more time with them than any house dog can dream of, unless their owner doesn't work. Yet people think because farmers don't want the manure all over the house, that the dog is somehow not getting enough attention- despite their owners being outside for hours, seven days a week. Working at a veterinary office, I see a lot of owners who are more in-tune to their outside dog than others are of their inside dog. I think that the situation can go both ways- but it's the same with an inside dog! My co-worker rescued a Yorkie that was limited to only the laundry room for over 2 years after the owners had a baby.
Anyway, not EVERYONE thinks that owners of outside dogs are monsters. I work for a veterinarian whose last dog was an outside only dog, and even she feels it's fine, as long as the dog has food, water, shelter, and isn't ignored. You should just ignore the people who don't know your situation, and can't comprehend that all outside dogs are not miserable, unloved, and starved for affection.

Answer 11

I have Newfies and they are outside most of the time. They like it and grow proper coat and muscle. They are HOT in the house in the winter and the coat becomes sparce and dry. In the summer they are not inside also...we have no air conditioning.
HOWEVER, we are out with them many hours daily either walking,training,playing or some other activity. They are a part of the family as much as any other dog.
The have many water buckets and kiddie pools in the summer and insulated dog houses for the winter. They are kept in good weight and their coats are well cared for.
In certain conditions, dogs can be well cared for and loved while they are outside.

I do DESPISE chains.