Why does everyone think so poorly of people who keep their dogs outside?

Question

Everybody thinks that just because a perosn keeps their dog outside that they are a bad person. For people who keep large dogs it is extremely hard to keep them inside. My dog has a dog lot outside and I love him to death. His side are covered so wind wont blow in, sloped roof for rain run off, a doggie heating pad in his house, and all his favorite toys. He never stays in his lot except at night. He is always out in the yard playing with a member of the family, or whenever everyone is inside he is inside with us until it is bed time. Isnt it better to show a lot of attention to a dog you keep outside than to keep a dog inside but pay no attention to it? If i was a dog i would wrather have a lonely night than be layin on a coach lonely all day.

he cant sleep inside because even though he is only a pup now and would be allowed to, he will grow to be a very large dog and my mom wont allow it. So i figured it would be worse to get him use to sleeping inside as a puppy then make him go out.

this dog doesnt stay outside all the time hes inside the house atleast 7-8 hours a day durin the evenin...and hes not tied up on a run...hes in a fenced in lot about as big as my living room (my livin room is pretty big too, and we have a huge back yard to put it in) with fence about 8 feet high and a tarp roof over the lot lol

hes outside at night because for some weird reason my mom wont let him stay in...she sais he will stink up the house and shed and use the bathroom...although i know i can train him out of these things theres no point in causin a fight with her...shes not much of an animal lover...but the rest of the fam loves em

Answer 1

Maybe because they fail to see the difference between an outdoor dog and a neglected dog. Maybe because they don't stop to remember that for the vast majority of their evolutionary history, dogs were outdoor animals, and for the most part, do just fine outside. Maybe because they make the mistake of regarding dogs as little humans in furry suits with human motives, needs and emotions - that's a real disservice to the dogs. Maybe they don't really know much about dogs - some make good indoor dogs, and some are much better off outdoors.

If the dog has a secure area, adequate shelter, food and water, and receives enough interaction, it's fine. If you learn to read your dog as a dog, it will tell you how it's doing.

It sounds like you're doing a good job with your dog. And you're right, it's as easy to be neglectful and abusive to an indoor dog as to an outdoor dog.

There are a lot of things that go into being a caring and responsible owner. Whether the dog lives indoors or outdoors is not necessarily one of them.

Answer 2

You know, I am not against having a dog living outside, if this is a working dog with a job to do, and the weather permits this. However, your mother is, pardon me, an idiot. There is no sense to letting the dog stay inside during the day and then banishing him outside at night. If he is inside during the day, he may "stink up the house" anyway, so that is just nonsense. And just because a dog is large doesn't mean it can't live indoors. Look at Greyhounds, St Bernards, etc. No logic to that claim whatsoever.
Sounds to me more like your mother isn't a dog lover, and she has a personal issue she needs to deal with.

Answer 3

You are doing the right thing by your dog. It would be worse to have him in the house and then make him go outside. If you give your dog a warm house and all the attention you do, he will be fine. Some dogs don't even like being inside. The main thing is not to ignore him. Dogs are pack animals and need to be part of a group to thrive. Keep doing what you are doing.

Answer 4

Well, it depends on the dog you have. If your keeping a Saint Bernard outside for the night, it isn't inhumane, because they are meant for cool temperatures. If your keeping a dog that was not meant to be in cool temperatures, it is a bit inhumane, even if you have a heating pad. It be like if you slept outside with a light blanket and a heating pad. Not the best thing. Also, it's a bit sad to keep a dog outside out of human contact. Most dogs drive to be with their humans and reasonably don't like to be away from them. Another thing, I haven't heard many people complain about keeping dogs outside during the night, its people that keep them on a chain 24/7.

Oh, and since you knew this dog was going to be big, and you knew you didn't want a big dog in the house, why would you get a big dog? Selfish move.

Answer 5

This is what I do... Play time outside, nap time inside.
But I still say it's lonely.....I'd rather be on a warm lonely couch then a cold lonely backyard...
I once stayed in the igloo with my pups for half an hour one night with them;blanket and all, I was freezing.But my dogs dragged it outside of the igloo away from me and layed out while the snow was falling. I went back inside for some warm socks and a thicker blanket and they were covered with snow.I almost died.I thought THEY died, but they were ok.You know how scary that was?That's why they sleep inside.

Just love him,please.And when you come home, make sure you always go straight to him so he knows you love him.And when he gets older, he'll wait for you to come home, and when you look into his eyes, you'll open up that door and wait for him to follow you in...

Answer 6

I do not think poorly of people who keep their dogs outside, PROVIDED they are looked after properly, as you obviously are.

With our dog, after our hour walk/exercise every day (2 hours on two days per week when we do obedience), our boy has dinner an hour later. He then "knocks" on the door to be let in and spends three to four hours watching the TV, interacting with the family and sleeping. After this time, he WANTS to go outside, usually not to relieve himself, but to "patrol" our property. He does NOT want to come into the house after that and prefers to stay outside until the following evening when we go through the same routine. We live in Australia where the climate is quite mild. He sleeps on a dogie bed near the double glass doors, or on the mattress or on the concrete, whichever he prefers at the time. All of these places are under a fully sheltered veranda/pergola. Type of dog, GSD male, 2 1/2 years.

Answer 7

People need to realize that dogs are not fragile little kids. I have 4 dogs and they all stay inside, however my fiance has a husky in alaska and he lives outside. Just because they live outside in a pen does not make them less of a companion. If he isn't being neglected and is happy then let him be outside. Don't down talk people that have different opinions. There's many different ways to raise a dog but no matter how you treat it, it's still going to be a barking, four legged friend.

Answer 8

It really isn't that I think they are "bad people personally" but I see dogs outside in the winter & it just really irratates me because it makes me question as to why someone would own a large breed dog if they don't plan to let them enjoy a nice warm pillow inside while snuggling with their master!?

I don't think you are a terrible person @ all! It sounds like you've taken far better care of your outside dog then some of my friends do with their "inside" pets! So THANK YOU for allowing me to see another side of the story!

Answer 9

It's because lots of people who keep their dogs outside have them just tied out all the time and don't pay much attention to them. I also see people who don't provide adequate shelter for their dogs during these cold months and it drives me nuts. If your dog has shelter, food, water, exercise, and plenty of attention and interaction with his family I'd say you are doing good by him.

Also I think it depends on the breed of dog. Keeping a Husky outside is very different from keeping a Miniature Pinscher outside. If dogs are mushing, herding, or hunting , actually doing things with their people during the day, then I don't see anything wrong with them sleeping outside (again as long as adequate shelter, etc. is provided). I just hate to see people keep their dog outside and barely interact with them.

I'm just curious though; why is your dog allowed in the house during the day, but has to sleep outside at night?

Answer 10

if you love these goats, don't leave them outside. bring them in the house and use a baby gate to keep them from wandering around the house. The barn must have a door!Get the barn fixed or find an old house door at a garage sale that would fit. dog bites tend to be bad:i got bitten badly at 14. The next day it swelled up, pus was coming out:watch your goats wound for redness and swelling and pus coming out of the wound.