Do you think it is ok for a dog to live outside?

Question

I honestly dont see the point in having a dog if you aren't going to let it be just as much in your life as a kid would be. They deserve love just as much as we do, i dont think they deserve to be out in the cold or out when it is really hot, I mean its ok to keep them out there sometimes because i know they do like it, and they like to run.... but i think dogs should be a part of the family..What do you think?

Answer 1

I agree with you.

It drives me insane when people just can't understand why their outside dog barks all the time, or has behavior issues.

HELLO!!
How would you feel left on the porch while the rest of your family is inside having dinner, laughing and having a good time?

OR
They just don't understand how/why their outside dog has the mange/biting flys/and other health problems associated with neglect.

Makes me absolutely nuts!!!

Guard dogs?
Bullsh!t!!!
It's been proven that the more a dog loves you, the harder he will fight for you.

There is no excuse for "outside dogs".

Answer 2

The normal environment for a dog is outside. If you get a breed that can endure the winter and summer months and you are walking it daily and spending a lot of time with it I don't really see the big deal. My dog is outside whenever I'm not home because she has more room to roam around than she would if I left her inside because she would probably need to be penned up because she becomes destructive when she's bored. Just make sure it has toys and bones to play with for when you aren't with there.

Answer 3

YES! Living in the house and part of the family.. They are a companion animal.. They are meant to be with people, we enjoy their company.. It's absolutely ridiculous to buy a dog and let it live on a chain or in a run in the yard..
There is a dog just down from us, lives on a chain 24 hours a day 7 days a week, all year long.. The dog just lays there.. Doesn't do a thing. If I didn't know better I would swear it's already dead.. What kind of life is that??

Answer 4

Dogs should live inside with their family and be part of the pack. If you're going to make it live outside, then there is no reason to even own a dog. Just buy a statue of a dog and put it out there.

Answer 5

In England we mostly keep our dogs indoors. I watch programmes on T.V.about animal cops in N.Y.and Heuston Texas, and I am appalled that most dogs are not only kept outdoors in all weather but chained to a fence, or post. My dog is part of my family, and my life, and is treated as such. I do not see the point in people having a dog to shut it outside for the rest of it's days.

Answer 6

Yes I totally agree. Keeping a dog outside all the time is unkind and unfair. Dogs by nature are pack animals and they want to be with their pack/ people. Dogs who do not get attention are more likely to be destructive, dig, chew or escape. They are also more likely to have poor manners, jumping on people and generally being more hyper when around people. IT becomes a vicious cycle...people say they don't like their dog in the house because they are rowdy and jumpy but they are that way because they are never in the house. People who are not use to dogs who come to our house are always shocked how calm and easy going our dogs are. It is because they are part of every part of lives including 80% of vacations we go on and everything else. As a result they are well mannered, calm and fun to have around a at any kind of event. You get what you put into them and if you are going to bother to get a dog you should promise to put the time in.

Answer 7

Its not fair that a dog should have to face the elements while its owner is safe in the house they deserve to be apart of the family to I have heard of a German Shepard that was born outside and died outside without even stepping one foot in the house.Dogs are pack animals and enjoy the company of people or other animals

Answer 8

I agree with you personally I prefer to keep them inside but on the other hand people are free to make their own decisions and I can't do anything about someone letting their dog live outside as long as they have shelter, food and a continuous supply of water and love!

Answer 9

I do not think it is ok for a dog who is a pet to live outside.

-Dogs are pack animals, and we are their pack. If we deny them access to socializing with our pack, they can develop behavior issues, such as barking non-stop, lunging at strange dogs, and even becoming aggressive to people.
-Dogs who are kept outside with other dogs for company are not our pets. They are a pack of dogs living in someone's backyard. They are even more dangerous than the one isolated dog, because they have backup to attack an unsuspecting stray dog or cat, or child.
-Working dogs who live outside are still socialized by their owners and given family time. They are part of the family.

The way I look at it is there is no good reason for anyone to have a dog living outside. I have heard all the pee and hair excuses in the world, but my answer to that is don't get a dog. Buy fish.

Answer 10

It depends on the kind of dog & the weather in your area. If you live in an area that gets too cold, the dog will need a warm place to stay. But we just put a heat lamp above an old mattress in the garage.

There is no NEED to have the dog indoors. But you do need to give your dog plenty of attention. It's not fair to leave your dog outside all day while you are inside all day. If you aren't going to let her in, go out side to play with her. I make sure to spend some time with my dogs several times a day on the porch. The only time they try to come in is when it's thundering or when there are fireworks going off.

But I have 4 dogs, so they keep eachother company, too.