"Outdoor" Dogs...Is there such a thing?

[hha]

Originally Posted by LuvmyYorkies2

A cocker spaniel.....OUTSIDE???? ALL THE TIME??? Now if I had a cocker, it would be inside most of the time.....Believe me, I've been tempted to go pet or talk to or take treats to some dogs I've seen chained and left outdoors but they always look like they want me for dinner since they obviously hadn't gotten any love and attention........so unfortunately that idea fades fast...

The worse thing was that its hair was long in the summer last year, then right before winter, they shaved her down.. I'm not even sure what they have in her dog house, if she has any straw or anything to keep her warm..they used to have her out front, where I could take treats, now, she's in the back.

[YorkieAunt]

Originally Posted by genie

I have a golden (Jake) that is an OUTSIDE dog only and he wouldn't be happy any other way. He is very much a part of our family. He not only gets lots of attention from our family but all the kids in our neighborhood. He has two best freinds Abby (the boxer) and Bailey (the Jack Russell). He has a huge custom made dog house that matches our home and it is very warm and it keeps him dry...so he is not exposed to "the elements". IMO I think that it is cruel to keep a large dog in a kennel for long periods of time. At least my dog can run and play all day. Jake is always happy and playing and he doesn't want to come in the house. We also have an outside cat.

[hha]

Originally Posted by daisy mae06

I ask this with the up most respect and totally just trying to understand..
If you have Dogs that are outside all of the time in Runs or what ever what is the propose of having them at all.
My dogs Golden Retriever included are inside and Very happy.
the yorkies are in a Pin Huge x pin when we are not home .. just to keep them safe. and Amy the Golden has free roam of the house. she is VERY well behaved. They are our Lives 24/7 not just a 1/2 hour or so a day they sleep with us and lay by our feet /laps.
I just have a Very hard time trying to Figure out how some one can keep outside dogs.. Sorry I do not mean to sound upsetting I am just trying to comprehend it.

the golden retriever was my sons dog, he moved home, and so I bought my shepherd, now son has moved out, but his dog stayed here to keep my shepherd company, so, they are together..believe me, as I said before, they get as much time with us(one on one time) than the 4 inside dogs get..I could really say the same thing on inside dogs..how many people have to leave their dogs all day when they work?? I'm home 24/7, I give a lot of love and attention to all 6 dogs..

[hha]

Originally Posted by MeganS

Well, it sounds to me like she has them for the same reason we all have ours. To love on and play with.

Thank you Megan...

[BabyFidgette]

Thanks for all your replies. I'm sorry it got a little heated, I didn't mean for that to happen. I can actually see both sides of the fence. If the dog prefers to be outside most of the time (and I guess you wouldn't know that if you first get him) then he can be outside. But I wouldn't leave a dog outside that a. didn't want to be, and b. was outside when I wasn't home or sleeping. I'd be afraid he'd get stolen, poisoned, etc.

I really hope that this SCWT WANTS to be outside. But the way he pokes his little nose under the fence, I don't know about that. Do you think his coat keeps him warm enough?

[For My Coby]

When I was little, we had mostly big dogs who all lived outside but were EXTREMELY loved. They came in the house a lot. But as many stated, were more than ready to go back out. We have friends that have hunting dogs that LOVE being outdoors and a short visit in the house is all they want.

The interesting thing is that my mom and I have had this discussion. Years ago, chaining a dog in the yard with some shelter was not only acceptable, but the norm. My mom and I both feel so strongly that we couldn't keep a dog like that today. Bur worse, she harbours such guilt over ever doing that. Our beloved Harley was killed distracting a pack of wild dogs away from the neighbor's puppies. The pack turned on him, and because he was tethered, he had no escape. But no one had small dogs then, and everyone's dogs lived outside. We feel so differently today.

[TootiesMom]

Originally Posted by RebelBelle

Despite this thread being a little heated, I'm gonna post anyway. I think that as long as you honestly love your dog and really make an effort to do whats best for them, then thats the end of it. I live in a state where ALOT of people have outdoor dogs. In fact when I was small my grandfather raised hunting dogs. I know people who have large dogs and honestly believe that its inhumane to keep them locked up in a house all day while they are at work, they bring the dogs in during bad weather though. In the evenings they make great efforts to spend alot of time outside running and playing with them. I don't know that its "right" but these dogs sure look just as happy and loved as Jamie. Would I do it? No. But am I going to condemn others for making the decision in the responsible way? Nope. Because there are bigger issues, like people who REALLY abuse and neglect their dogs.

AMEN!!!! I also live in an area where there are ALOT of outside dogs, BUT... my lab sleeps INSIDE, in the bed with my daughter....
she does get "stir crazy" if she is kept inside too long. She has the "taj mahal" of a dog house in her fenced yard and loves to be outside when the weather is good.... I know many people personally who have "outside" dogs and they are VERY well cared for, loved, and so so happy!
LIVE AND LET LIVE!
d

[juliaw04]

I really think where we live is influencing our opinions on whether or not its okay for dogs to live outside. Personally, I wouldn't keep a dog outside here in Manhattan. There are too many cars driving by and too many people that I don't know who could steal, poison, or any of the other cruel things previously posted. However, back home in Rush Center, I think it is perfectly fine to keep dogs outside. My lab/dane cross that I had in high school still lives at home (outside) with my parents. I do not currently have the room for a 200 pound dog and I don't feel comfortable keeping him outside in Manhattan. In Rush Center (less than 100 people) we know all of our neighbors, he can spend his day running with our sheep flock, chasing cats, working alongside my dad, etc. He is completely content living outside.

[mizzwanned]

I personally would never keep a dog outside, big or small. I would want the dog to feel like he is part of the family, if he liked being outside i would let him be able to go in and out as he pleased, but only if he was a really big dog. I would never let my dog outside unsupervised, too many things out there. I know my dogs love the outside but only for a certain amount of time and dependsing the weather. When i stayed at my dad's in LI last yr i had Teddy and London with me. Every morning Teddy would scratch the screen door to go to the back yard, he loved it! And i stayed out there with him until he finished running and playing. When he got tired he would go to the door for us to go back in. It was so cute. I feel so bad when i see dogs kept only outside, they look so sad. This winter on my way to school on the LIRR i saw a Rotweiler chained up in a backyard, and it was cold. He looked miserable. It is terrible to keep a dog outside when the weather is bad and hate ppl that do it. But if the dog is loved very much, given shelter, food, water and is able to go inside when he pleases i think it's okay. I do not like the idea of them staying only outside though. Too many things can happen.

[mizzwanned]

Originally Posted by YorkieAunt

This will be my last post to this thread. What is the difference between an outside dog that has the run of a yard and a nice doghouse and an inside dog that is kept in a little kennel or 7 or 8 hours a day? Which dog do you think is "happier"??? Both get played with at night for the same amount of time then the "inside" dog is returned to the kennel for the night. Makes a person wonder............

My dogs are never kept in a kennel inside. When i am not home they all have free roam of the house. They love it and are very happy.

[Itspuppyluv]

Originally Posted by BabyFidgette

So, if you have any info as to whether SCWTs prefer to be outside, maybe...just maybe, I will feel better about him being out. Thanks!

I don't want to make you feel bad but probably not. If you read the breed information, they prefer being inside dogs.

"Although they were originally developed as farm dogs, they do best when housed indoors and treated as one of the family. These are people dogs and will always want to be where the family is. They will not do as well in outside kenneling situations and most breeders recommend that they sleep indoors, in the owner's bedroom."

Originally Posted by BabyFidgette

Do you think his coat keeps him warm enough?

They do better in the cold than the heat.

"Wheatens are good in cooler climates and are popular in such northern countries as Canada, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Normal cold weather care should be taken, including regular inspection of pads for iceballs. As mentioned above, they are mostly indoor dogs and most of them enjoy excursions into cold and snowy weather.
They do not do as well in hot weather and may be noticeably less active. They should always be given access to both shade (if outdoors) and water and strenuous exercise should be avoided. Indoors, they may prefer to lie on cool tiles or linoleum, sometimes in bathrooms. Trimming the coat slightly shorter is OK, but not so much that the sun can reach the skin."
__________________________________________________ _____

It's the lack of attention that is so sad. I have the same situation. My neighbor's dog is well taken care of when it comes to food, water, medical care, he has a place to run and he is brought in at night (caged) but he is neglected. He is alone all day, every day. The kids play with him for what amounts to minutes a month, if that. It breaks my heart since mine are so spoiled and we see him just begging for attention. I tried to help once (I'd explain but this is long enough), it didn't work out.
I don't understand why people get a dog if they never want to spend time with it.

[a2luckygirl]

St bernards get to hot to be inside in the winter-they would probably like AC, though

[Chrissy0277]

http://www.unchainyourdog.org/news/0...ewsRelease.htm

Fourteenth Child Since October Seriously Injured/Killed as a Result of Chained Dog Attacks
Press Release from www.DogsDeserveBetter.com

JULY 22, 2004--The Tuesday, July 20th attack is the latest in a long line of chained dog attacks, and left 7 year old Willie Moore Jr. of Charlotte, North Carolina seriously injured, with bites to the head. Another attack last Thursday, July 15th, lead to the death of 2 year old Patricia J. Anderson in Cook County, Georgia. Patricia was attacked and killed by a bulldog mix who was chained behind a house owned by friends of her mother.

Dogs Deserve Better, an organization working to get dogs off chains and into the family, insists that it¹s time American woke up to the dangers of chaining a dog. Dogs are pack animals, and when left alone, chained, and unsocialized to humans, they often become angry; they can and do take this anger out on the children who are unlucky enough to come too close.

Says Tammy Sneath Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, "How many children have to die before people realize this is a serious and nationwide problem? The chaining of dogs has been ongoing for generations in America, and this outdated and irresponsible method of guardianship must stop. Much of Europe has long eschewed the practice of dog chaining; Austria's recent nationwide law prohibiting chaining comes to mind, and it's time America wake up and catch up. Not only is it dangerous and cruel for the dog, but it¹s dangerous for any child unlucky enough to wander into the sphere created by an angry dog¹s chain."

Other nationwide attacks since October 2003: June 6, Emma-Leigh Chambers-Allen, 5, New Mexico, seriously injured. June 17, Kennedy Robinson, 20-months, Mississippi, seriously injured. April 26, Emily Page Stinnett, 4, Kentucky, seriously injured. April, Linda Wiegret, 14-months, Texas, seriously injured. April, Mark Wilson, 8, Illinois, seriously injured. April, Alani Black, 4, North Carolina, seriously injured. February, Trusten Liddle, February saw 17-month-old, Hawaii, killed. January, Kaitlyn Matthews, 5, Mississippi, seriously injured. January, Nathan Roy Hill, 3, North Carolina, killed. October 2003, Makayla Sinclair, 2, South Carolina, killed. October 2003, Jonathan Shane Ivey, 4, Texas, seriously injured. October 2003, Okleno King, 3, Mississippi, seriously injured.

Karen Delise, author of Fatal Dog Attacks, has researched and chronicled the circumstances surrounding every fatal dog attack in the United States since 1965. "Chained dogs have killed at least 109 people. Of the 109 people, 99 were children that wandered into reach of a chained or similarly restrained dog. Another 11 occurred from dogs who were chained and broke free before attacking." She also states in her book: "Statistically, chained dogs are more dangerous than free-running packs of dogs."

America needs nationwide laws prohibiting the chaining of dogs to the nearest tree, post, or doghouse. Dogs Deserve Better has initiated a national petition which currently has nearly 6,000 signatures. The petition is available online at http://www.gopetition.com/online/4021.html, and will be sent to the White House with a plea to the President for change.

Grimes continues, "We must stand NOW to insist on the laws being changed to protect the innocent, both humans and dogs. It¹s too crucial to NOT do so. The lost lives and changed futures of Willie, Patricia, Emma-Leigh, Kennedy, Emily, Linda, Mark, Alani, Trusten, Kaitlyn, Nathan, Makayla, Jonathan, and Oklena depend on it."

To contact Dogs Deserve Better go to their website at www.dogsdeservebetter.com

Tammy Sneath Grimes, Founder
Dogs Deserve Better: No Chains! Make a Dog's Life Worth Living
P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684
1.877.636.1408
814.941.7447

[hha]

Originally Posted by Chrissy0277

http://www.unchainyourdog.org/news/0...ewsRelease.htm

Fourteenth Child Since October Seriously Injured/Killed as a Result of Chained Dog Attacks
Press Release from www.DogsDeserveBetter.com

JULY 22, 2004--The Tuesday, July 20th attack is the latest in a long line of chained dog attacks, and left 7 year old Willie Moore Jr. of Charlotte, North Carolina seriously injured, with bites to the head. Another attack last Thursday, July 15th, lead to the death of 2 year old Patricia J. Anderson in Cook County, Georgia. Patricia was attacked and killed by a bulldog mix who was chained behind a house owned by friends of her mother.

Dogs Deserve Better, an organization working to get dogs off chains and into the family, insists that it¹s time American woke up to the dangers of chaining a dog. Dogs are pack animals, and when left alone, chained, and unsocialized to humans, they often become angry; they can and do take this anger out on the children who are unlucky enough to come too close.

Says Tammy Sneath Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, "How many children have to die before people realize this is a serious and nationwide problem? The chaining of dogs has been ongoing for generations in America, and this outdated and irresponsible method of guardianship must stop. Much of Europe has long eschewed the practice of dog chaining; Austria's recent nationwide law prohibiting chaining comes to mind, and it's time America wake up and catch up. Not only is it dangerous and cruel for the dog, but it¹s dangerous for any child unlucky enough to wander into the sphere created by an angry dog¹s chain."

Other nationwide attacks since October 2003: June 6, Emma-Leigh Chambers-Allen, 5, New Mexico, seriously injured. June 17, Kennedy Robinson, 20-months, Mississippi, seriously injured. April 26, Emily Page Stinnett, 4, Kentucky, seriously injured. April, Linda Wiegret, 14-months, Texas, seriously injured. April, Mark Wilson, 8, Illinois, seriously injured. April, Alani Black, 4, North Carolina, seriously injured. February, Trusten Liddle, February saw 17-month-old, Hawaii, killed. January, Kaitlyn Matthews, 5, Mississippi, seriously injured. January, Nathan Roy Hill, 3, North Carolina, killed. October 2003, Makayla Sinclair, 2, South Carolina, killed. October 2003, Jonathan Shane Ivey, 4, Texas, seriously injured. October 2003, Okleno King, 3, Mississippi, seriously injured.

Karen Delise, author of Fatal Dog Attacks, has researched and chronicled the circumstances surrounding every fatal dog attack in the United States since 1965. "Chained dogs have killed at least 109 people. Of the 109 people, 99 were children that wandered into reach of a chained or similarly restrained dog. Another 11 occurred from dogs who were chained and broke free before attacking." She also states in her book: "Statistically, chained dogs are more dangerous than free-running packs of dogs."

America needs nationwide laws prohibiting the chaining of dogs to the nearest tree, post, or doghouse. Dogs Deserve Better has initiated a national petition which currently has nearly 6,000 signatures. The petition is available online at http://www.gopetition.com/online/4021.html, and will be sent to the White House with a plea to the President for change.

Grimes continues, "We must stand NOW to insist on the laws being changed to protect the innocent, both humans and dogs. It¹s too crucial to NOT do so. The lost lives and changed futures of Willie, Patricia, Emma-Leigh, Kennedy, Emily, Linda, Mark, Alani, Trusten, Kaitlyn, Nathan, Makayla, Jonathan, and Oklena depend on it."

To contact Dogs Deserve Better go to their website at www.dogsdeservebetter.com

Tammy Sneath Grimes, Founder
Dogs Deserve Better: No Chains! Make a Dog's Life Worth Living
P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684
1.877.636.1408
814.941.7447

I think we have all agreed, dogs should never be chained up..as far as poisoning, we live in a subdivision out in the middle of nowhere..we know every neighbor, and just about everyone out here has dogs..unfortunately, only 2 houses out here(mine and my groomers) have fenced in back yards. nothing is getting over this fence to my dogs, and my dogs aren't getting over my fence to get to any of the dogs that roam free. We've put over $10,000 in to fencing in the acre out back, plus the large dog run and the shelter my dogs are kept in...we have a thermometer in their shelter that is hooked up to the inside of the house to where we know what the temperature is at all times in their shelter..as I said, these dogs are probably a lot more loved by my hubby than the little ones are..he's good with all of them, but, everyday hes home, he spends a lot of one on one time with the outside ones..dogs adjust to the kind of environment they're brought up in..look at the dogs that pull sleds in Alaska, those dogs (a lot of them) are tied up all winter long..

[BamaFan121s]

We have a Bassett Hound (daughter's dog) that we consider an "outside" dog. But that doesn't mean she stays outside all of the time. And we're outside with her tons. The second the kiddo gets home in the afternoon, she's outside playing with her until I have to drag her in. Heck, half of the time when she IS inside after 20 min or so she's pacing or standing at the door to be let out. She LOVES being outside...she barks back and forth to the Bassett 2 doors down and she LOVES the rain. If it's raining outside, she stands at the door and whines and when you let her out she runs and rolls in puddles and runs around barking and rolling in the grass. She's a pretty big dog so I can imagine being confined to the house is no fun. In her case, it would be cruel to keep her couped up in a room all day.

That being said, she is NEVER chained, which is wrong wrong wrong! She has a nice fenced yard to run in and she's not mistreated in the least. When we head to the park or hiking, SHE is the one that gets to go along while the others stay home. And if it's too hot or cold for me outside, she's only outside for a few minutes to eat or go to the bathroom. I DON'T think it should automatically be considered "neglect" if you have an "outside dog." You can't really make that call without knowing the situation.