Because of the problems we had with Bella at first, she did not get to go outside much. Now that we have the health issues in a better place, she gets to go outside on the leash for walks. She seems to really love it, but I would love to have a fenced in area for her to be able to run full tilt.

I don't think you're a bad mom; just protective. I have let my Bailey, who is 3yo, off leash, but only under controlled circumstances. Never in a dog park! Then I found out about one of his knees not being right and I don't let him off leash at all. When I walk him, I'm constantly looking ahead to make sure that he won't pick something up. If I see that all is well ahead, I've trained him to 'jog'; which means he can use the length of the leash to jaunt in front of me. It has worked well. Having said that, we do play ball; kicking it down our hallway in our home. He loves it! Fortunately, we do have a small backyard, where he does his 'business', so he gets fresh air that way. I think in time you will relax your thoughts, but will be vigilantly watching a few steps ahead of your pup. All the best!

This is so mind boggling to me lol. I can't imagine not even taking a dog outside, even on a leash, ever. Like not even a 4ft leash where they are 2 inches away from you?

I get being protective. I really really do. And honestly I don't even have an issue with those who choose to use pee pads and keep them inside 80% of the time, that's the benefit of little dogs, but like... NEVER touching the outside ground or getting to enjoy the great outdoors and all the smells it has to offer a canine, no matter how big or small a dog is? I mean, to me, just to say "what they don't know, they don't miss" isn't really fair. You could keep a young child indoors all of their life and "they wouldn't miss the outside world if they never knew what it was" but.... isn't that kind of cruel? In fact, check out the "Wolfpack Brothers" to find out about children who were raised that way. I mean yes you're obviously a kind caring person who loves your dog and I'd rather have an owner like you than one who chains their dog up outside in harsh weather and hardly feeds them.

I don't know, I guess I just don't get it. By the time Jackson was 5 months old, he had experienced grass, snow, mud, dirt, outside smells, etc. And he's lived an amazing life getting to experience things with me, family trips, vacations, parks, walks, hikes, etc. He would have missed out on so much if I just decided the outside world was too dangerous. I mean jeez you can lock a dog inside all of their life and they can still die by chewing an electrical cord, running into a wall at full speed and breaking their neck, falling off a bed or couch they can break a leg, the list goes on and on. There's going to be risks in *everything* you do. You can be smart about it and take them to areas where there aren't many dogs (I totally get those who opt not to use dog parks, etc) and bring proper precautions with you on walks in case of emergencies, but I really think it's important that a dog get to be outside *sometimes* whether it's by the safety of your leash or a fence.

Just look at how much life Jackson has gotten to live. And no not every dog is going just LOVE snow or water etc, every dog is different, but at least give them a chance to experience it and see for themselves! I always encouraged him to explore from a young age and I think that shaped him into the dog he is today. Sure I could've cooped him up and he would've come to just enjoy himself indoors, but why do that if you don't have to?

And by the way, there's many different options for outdoor fun. Long lines range from 8ft-over 50ft. I live on 4 acres un-fenced so I use a long 50ft leash to keep control of Jackson but still give him space to exercise and run. I use Flexi leashes (which again can range from as short as 6ft to as long as 23ft) for quick potty breaks. In public places, I use a 5 or 6ft leash to keep him closer. And at certain family's houses who have a fence, he gets to safely run off leash after close inspection of the fence. You can set up an x-pen if you want them to just have minimal space, you can get one with a roof or cover if you're that worried.

Not everyone has these opportunities to have land so accessible, I get that, but there is usually always somewhere you can find that is somewhat private... I know some people use soccer and football fields, or fenced in tennis courts, etc, places that aren't "dog parks" so you're not as likely to see a lot of other dogs, etc.

I used to be like that with mine, but he loves the outdoors, always begging me to let him outside. He is the happiest when he is outside, he likes to smell everything and run wild so I have to keep a close eye on him and be on his tail (literally :)

Dogs really do love the outdoors. I don't trust Cookie enough to take off her leash anywhere but my back yard though. She's a real dummy about wanting to try to challenge other dogs, cats twice her size, and so on.

Oh yeah I don't trust Jax either lol. As well trained as he is (most of the time), I could never just let him off leash and expect him to stay close. He's way too much of an explorer/hunter.

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I would let him out experience the outside, as far as fleas go you could bring them in your self, I have flea busters come to my place once a year and I dont have any fleas