Don't Want to Start a Controversy, but I'm PUZZLED

[vainchick5]

Originally Posted by JCarlson2004

Very nicely said. I don't think anyone should be offended. You were polite and to the point.

[vainchick5]

Originally Posted by centralnewyorki

This is all my opinion and I hope no one takes this post too personally or become offended by it:

IMO, I think that all dogs (and cats for that matter) belong in the house other than play times, walks, and potty. I've had larger dogs my whole life- mixed breeds, mainly 70 lbs. and over. We've had some damage (major at times), hair all over, etc. Dogs are social creatures and, IMO, need as much interaction with people as possible. I'm not picking on anyone that has posted here (although I know someone mentioned it) because I always hear this, but I don't understand leaving a dog outside because of allergies, either. I think that should be considered beforehand. I applaud Chicago for their law that all dogs have to sleep inside at night. Animals can be very vulnerable, and can be attacked- by animal or human- off guard when they're sleeping. My cousin and her husband have a 200 lb, not yet fully-grown, English Mastiff. His size can be overwhelming, but they took that into consideration when decorating their house and buying furniture. IMO, I think people should consider if the animal's grown size and energy level is going to be manageable as a house pet when they buy a dog. My yorkie has the same feelings as a dog 10 or 20 times her size, and I can't stand the thought of her wishing to be with me and not.

Now, I will say that some dogs prefer to be outside (I say this after reading other members' posts saying such, I can't say this from personal experience) and, if this is the case, these dogs should be outside- whatever makes the dog most happy. But, I don't think that a dog that is given no choice other than being outside will ever necessarily choose to be outside, more than likely he or she will just get used to it and accept it.

I'm with Megan. I don't understand the point of having a dog if it's just going to be outside all the time. As she and Kelly mentioned, I feel much safer with my guard dog sleeping on the bed next to me as opposed to sitting in the back yard, unable to protect me. I know that this is something others disagree with, and that's fine.

This is all just my opinion- not meant to offend anyone.

I totally agree. I think sometimes we can tell ourselves that they LOVE the outside but I think sometimes we don't want to feel guilty for leaving them out there so we think they prefer it. Which dog would prefer to sit alone outside when they could sit in the warm indoors with their favorite people? I think if you get a dog that's outside most of the time, whats the point, even if you do have playtime when you go outside? They need human interaction, even if it's just following you around or sitting with you on the couch, like our furbabies do. That's why I would never get a big dog. I'm not comfortable leaving them outside and I wouldn't want a huge dog inside my house. So yorkies are perfect for me.

[JCarlson2004]

Originally Posted by shecass

No one on here as ever offended me. Every one has different opinions and feels strongly about them. I hope that I have never offended anyone if I have I'm sorry that is definately not my intention.

You didn't offend. You sound like you really love your dogs a lot. We need more good pet owners around.

[shecass]

Originally Posted by JCarlson2004

You didn't offend. You sound like you really love your dogs a lot. We need more good pet owners around.

Yes we do they are members of our family not just pets as it should be.

Thank you.

[Hickey007]

Originally Posted by centralnewyorki

Now, I will say that some dogs prefer to be outside (I say this after reading other members' posts saying such, I can't say this from personal experience) and, if this is the case, these dogs should be outside- whatever makes the dog most happy. But, I don't think that a dog that is given no choice other than being outside will ever necessarily choose to be outside, more than likely he or she will just get used to it and accept it.

First I'd like to say that noone has offended me. Your opinion may differ from mine but it is our right to have differeing opinions. No matter how strong anyone's opinion is it will not offend me because it is just that an opinion.

I actually agree with many of your points. I believe that you should consider the size of a dog as well as personality and requirements before you get a dog. I also have to say that I don't believe you should put a dog out for your own personal reasons alone. However I also feel that how you said a dog will just get used to living outside can go the same for inside. If you put a dog inside and never give it the option to live outside than they will adapt to the situation, they will not have necessarily choosen it but rather live with it. I think big dogs need and want room to run. I feel that they are cramped inside a house. Now I do think that some dogs naturally want to be inside dogs, just like some want to be outside dogs.

Someone also mentioned cats should be kept indoors as well. I honestly have to say that I completely disagree with this one. My cats would be in hell if they had to stay inside all the time (they come and go as they please, we have a cat door for them). Cats are hunters, they want to be out exploring things, catching things, watching the birds, the bugs, and anything else that will move. Its part of their instincts. I don't think its just my cats either, sure there may be a few that are completely ok inside but the majority want out. My neighbors had indoor cats(they were some expensive cats, I dont' know what though) and they would sit at the windows and just watch, I swear they longed to be out. In my opinion, I almost think its mean to keep a cat inside all the time, I realise there are exceptions and special circumstances to this though.

[lily]

Originally Posted by shecass

I agree with you completely. I did the same as you with my big dog.

I have to add my big dog well not let you give a bath! That one main reason she stays out! Now she lets me shave her down in the summer , but he-- no to a bath! We tryed and I thought she was going to pull the wall down in the kennel! lily

[minniemn]

I have big dogs and small dogs... my big dogs shed- I didn't know that my son had allergies to dogs when I got them, to the point that his allergies caused asthma for him (mold, dogs, dust ect)

I have had my big dogs for 10 years, my sons allergies to dogs happened last year.

I refuse to give up my animals to a shelter and since they do enjoy time outside, they are just outside more. They eat inside, take naps inside, sleep all night inside, and hang out with us... right now my sons allergies are pretty bad, so the hanging out inside is less, we hang out outside more with her. I only have one big dog left.

I will not buy another big dog or any dog that sheds, because of my sons health/allergies.

But at the time we got them, we had no idea, he had no allergies.

My son is 16, he will probably be out of the house at 18 (wants to join the military) we will work through the allergy problem until then, and once the pets have passed away we will not get any more that he is allergic to... so when he comes home to visit or whatever, his health won't be compromised.

Sometimes you are dealt a hand, and you have to deal with it the best you can. Now if my sons allergy to dogs was apparent before we bought shedding dogs, we never would of gotten them.

There is another person who has replied about allergies, and she had a remark directed to her about not owning the pet to begin with, or using allergies as an excuse or something like that.... that is why I explained in depth about my sons allergies... sometimes you don't know, until it is years after your pets have moved in.... and we all do what we feel is best in our situation.

Now my shedding dog, isn't outside in bad weather, she is inside, just more confined, (not tied up, or in a small space, just not in the main part of the house, kitchen, living room) She has plenty of time with the family, because it is more quality time, because she isn't always just hanging out with us, we make a point to have quality time with her, and the time is just hers, her time is not shared with the computer, phone, cooking, cleaning, ect, ect.... it is just you and her, or dad and her, or all of us and her, ect.

She is never tied up, eats the exact same food as the yorkie... except more of it... has the same prevenative meds, same treats only bigger and more expensive ect. same vet care, same loving from us.

Anyways, my point is, don't come down on someone because their circumstances are different than yours, I don't think any dog lovers treat their big dogs as less animals than small ones... if you are going to neglect a big dog, I would bet you are also neglecting the small ones... I doubt anyone here is neglecting their dogs.

Allergies are not an excuse, allergies can develop at any age, even after owning the same dog for 8 years... and in my opinion, getting rid of the dog isn't always the best answer... should you buy a dog when you know you have allergies... no. Allergies do lead to asthma, if you don't believe me, ask my sons allergist... we worked with the allergist to come up with the best solution. We did however have to get rid of the birds, there wasnt' a way to work around them, because their little feathers end up all over the home no matter how hard you try. The birds are in loving homes, and will live at least another 30 years... dogs on the other hand (well my "big" dog, has a life span of 8-10 years, I was not going to change her home when she was already 3/4ths into her life)

Sorry for the ramble, but hopefully at least those who believe "allergies" should not be a reason, have a little more understanding as to why, even with the children with allergies/asthma, try to do what is best for our pets and children.

[shecass]

Originally Posted by minniemn

I have big dogs and small dogs... my big dogs shed- I didn't know that my son had allergies to dogs when I got them, to the point that his allergies caused asthma for him (mold, dogs, dust ect)

I have had my big dogs for 10 years, my sons allergies to dogs happened last year.

I refuse to give up my animals to a shelter and since they do enjoy time outside, they are just outside more. They eat inside, take naps inside, sleep all night inside, and hang out with us... right now my sons allergies are pretty bad, so the hanging out inside is less, we hang out outside more with her. I only have one big dog left.

I will not buy another big dog or any dog that sheds, because of my sons health/allergies.

But at the time we got them, we had no idea, he had no allergies.

My son is 16, he will probably be out of the house at 18 (wants to join the military) we will work through the allergy problem until then, and once the pets have passed away we will not get any more that he is allergic to... so when he comes home to visit or whatever, his health won't be compromised.

Sometimes you are dealt a hand, and you have to deal with it the best you can. Now if my sons allergy to dogs was apparent before we bought shedding dogs, we never would of gotten them.

There is another person who has replied about allergies, and she had a remark directed to her about not owning the pet to begin with, or using allergies as an excuse or something like that.... that is why I explained in depth about my sons allergies... sometimes you don't know, until it is years after your pets have moved in.... and we all do what we feel is best in our situation.

Now my shedding dog, isn't outside in bad weather, she is inside, just more confined, (not tied up, or in a small space, just not in the main part of the house, kitchen, living room) She has plenty of time with the family, because it is more quality time, because she isn't always just hanging out with us, we make a point to have quality time with her, and the time is just hers, her time is not shared with the computer, phone, cooking, cleaning, ect, ect.... it is just you and her, or dad and her, or all of us and her, ect.

She is never tied up, eats the exact same food as the yorkie... except more of it... has the same prevenative meds, same treats only bigger and more expensive ect. same vet care, same loving from us.

Anyways, my point is, don't come down on someone because their circumstances are different than yours, I don't think any dog lovers treat their big dogs as less animals than small ones... if you are going to neglect a big dog, I would bet you are also neglecting the small ones... I doubt anyone here is neglecting their dogs.

Allergies are not an excuse, allergies can develop at any age, even after owning the same dog for 8 years... and in my opinion, getting rid of the dog isn't always the best answer... should you buy a dog when you know you have allergies... no. Allergies do lead to asthma, if you don't believe me, ask my sons allergist... we worked with the allergist to come up with the best solution. We did however have to get rid of the birds, there wasnt' a way to work around them, because their little feathers end up all over the home no matter how hard you try. The birds are in loving homes, and will live at least another 30 years... dogs on the other hand (well my "big" dog, has a life span of 8-10 years, I was not going to change her home when she was already 3/4ths into her life)

Sorry for the ramble, but hopefully at least those who believe "allergies" should not be a reason, have a little more understanding as to why, even with the children with allergies/asthma, try to do what is best for our pets and children.

I agree with you completely. That is why our lab who loves it outside and is not comfortable inside anyway, is out my son has asthma and did not develop this until 4 years ago and my lab will be 6 in Dec. so rather than give her up like several people I know have we just adjusted our lifestyle around this and came up with the best possible solution for her and us.

Thank you for this post very well said.

[ssguzzy828]

My shepherd is an inside dog he hates being outside. He will only go outside when he has to go potty or when we are outside. Thats not to say i treat him any better then the person that has thier dog outside all the time. I really think it depends on the cirumstances. I know of people who do keep their bigger dogs out doors but they have excellent shelter and an endless supply of love and socialization.

As for those with comments about allergies. I am 36 and growing up never ever showed signs of allergies. Well guess what i have now? yup allergies.
As of now none of my children show any signs of allergies but if they did in the future My shep would have to go outside cause there is no way I could ever give him up and it would kill my children to let him go as well.

As I said before every circumstance is different, and every dog is different. The only wrong i see really is when a dog is kept outdoors chained up with no adequate shelter,food,water, or socialization. Heck Ive seen dog runs/shelter that are nicer then some of the houses i see(im a realtor).
So I guess really you cant judge a book by it's cover.