Dogs- inside or outside

[Xanax 349]

Hi guys,

Dan and I recently have been discussing getting a dog.

I never thought this of all things would be an issue, but...

I feel we should leave the dog outside when we are at work or out for the day.

Daniel feels we should leave the dog inside with the heat and tv on to make sure it is comfortable.

Where I am from everyone leaves their dogs outside during the day if they are at work and it is the norm and I feel it is cruel to leave an animal inside all day.

Daniel is scared someone will steal our dog or it will get out and get lost or get get out and get hurt or bite someone etc.

We have a fully fenced in yard and it is atleast 1/3rd of an acre in the suburbs.

I tried to compromise and say we could get a doggy door so he / she could go in/out when it wants but Daniel is still worried so we decided to take it to the forums and see what other people think.

We will obviously have him/ her inside with us when we are home and plan to be diligent dog owners with walking twice a day etc.

Please tell me your opinion! Inside? Outside? Doggy door? Is leaving it inside all day cruel? Putting it outside cruel?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Unless he is a special breed, such as a hairless dog, I think the dog will be happier outside. Just make sure you provide food, water and shelter. Please make sure he's not a barker, that could get annoying for neighbours.

Our own dog goes outside when we are out or have guests who do not like dogs, unless it is raining hard, over 95F or below freezing.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

There's nothing worse than the neighbor's dog outside barking and whining all day because it's let alone and wants its owners to come home. I think leaving it inside all day is less cruel than outside, though the dog will have to "hold it" all day, or get crate trained. A doggy door sounds best.

[Xanax 349]

or get crate trained.

I don't think I could leave my puppy in a crate all day or night.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I don't think I could leave my puppy in a crate all day or night.

Sorry, I used the wrong term. I meant go to the bathroom in a specific spot.

[Nina~ 431]

My parents leave their dogs indoor because of the Texas heat & fire ants in the yard. Also one of their dogs is a pitbull rescue that is extremely docile. Her bff is the neighbor's dog that lives down the street and she loves to escape and run to their house. My parents are scared that she will either dig from under the fence, and someone in their community might call the cops. Or that she will be stolen for by a dog fighting ring. I think in their case, it is inhumane to leave their dog outside.

A couple of my friends who live in townhouses that don't have a yard usually hire a dog walker. Or if they work close enough, they go home to walk their dogs during their lunch break.

[Nina~ 431]

Regarding the doggie door.. You are going to have an extremely hard time keeping your floors clean if you have a doggie door because you dog will track in dirt every time it walks in and out.

Also, there are criminals who targets houses with doggie doors. In my neighborhood, there was a father & his 9 year old kid who went around burglarizing houses with doggie doors. The son was small enough to crawl through a doggie door. So they would toss a treat to the dog laced with sedatives, then the son would crawl through the doggie door and open the door for his dad. So that is something you need to keep in mind.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

You leave your dog behind when you leave the house? OMG! I can't believe people still do that! Would you leave a child unattended?

[USArmyWifey 2]

We live in military housing so we cant really leave our dog outside plus we also live in Louisiana and my poor girl would just die out there in the heat all day! She is much happier inside with the nice cool AC. We had a lot of problems with her being left home alone when we first got her (she went through the trash, she ripped up bedding, went to the bathroom all over the house etc) but thats because she has seperation anxiety. In the end we had to crate train her, a lot of people find it harsh and dont really like the idea but from one dog lover to another trust me your house and your sanity will benefit from it. Her crate is now also her "safe place" which she actuly loves to be in, she will often sit in there with the door open and just chill out chewing on her bone or with a toy in the bedroom with us while were watching tv in there and when we tell her "go to your bed" she will go in there stright away and sleep through the night no problem. So all in all it was a great decision for us.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

It depends on the breed of dog, the climate, and the property. We have an almost blind, 11 year-old Chihuahua and she lives in the house and sleeps under the covers. Since she can't see anymore, she doesn't like to be outside at all. If you have a rather large dog and a nice enclosure and it's not brutal hot or horribly cold, I could imagine that such a dog may be happier outside. Do what's best for the dog. Allow him to try it out and give you feedback.

[rika60607 215]

I could not even vote - it all depends on the breed, weather and dog personality.

Mine was pretty happy on the couch at home, but we got her when she was already an adult, so she didn't need quite as much time and attention as a puppy.

[Xanax 349]

Thanks so much for all your feedback so far!

We are going to live in Minnesota- it does he cold, but of course in extreme weather we would not lave our puppy outside.

We are looking for a large short haired breed.

[Xanax 349]

I meant to say it does get cold in Minnesota and in extreme weather we would not leave our puppy (outside and exposed to the elements)* silly iphone and silly fingers.

Edited March 31, 2012 by BrittandDan

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Okay well I didn't pick anything 'cause it REALLY depends.

Cons for outside:

- Barking: noise complaints

- Fleas: Outside dogs get fleas more often

- Rabies etc: Inside dogs are exposed less than as outside dogs

- Other animals: Jumping the fence, finding a way in, unwanted mating

- Elements

- Dirty. If you plan on bringing the dog inside of a night you'll probably be doing a LOT of cleaning

Pros for outside:

- Fresh air

- Able to use the bathroom whenever needed

My husband and I have considered the doggy door and that something we're probably going to do but ONLY because we have a cement floored breezeway that can be locked out of the rest of the house. As someone else mentioned doggie doors aren't exactly safe if they go right into your house. We are able to lock the breezeway door so you can't enter the main part of the house. It would be comfortable in there and they would have food and water. My other idea to prevent random animal entering is one of the doggie doors that has the sensors on the animals collar. Without the sensor the dog (or other animal) can't use the doggie door.

I have lap dogs (Jack Russell x Pomeranians). They would have been stolen as puppies. I have no doubt in my mind because just about everyone wanted to stop and pet them while I was walking. My husband as a kid had some Saint Bernard puppies and someone stole them out of the fenced back yard. My dogs were also little enough that I was constantly afraid that bigger dogs would get to them and hurt them. I prefer having inside dogs 'cause they're little. They get tied outside to use the bathroom and I of course walk them. I still need to bathe them almost weekly 'cause I hate them smelling like dirt Sometimes I'll bring them in and have to clean their feet and under their nails from digging holes. They LOVE to chase and bark at birds, squirrels and cats. My dogs had fleas when I got them (rescues) and haven't had fleas since (2 years and 1 year). They also had worms when I got them and haven't since (a concern for outside dogs eating faeces among other things etc).

My dogs are inside all the time except for walks and "outside time". They love hearing "inside?" and come running. They like lounging on the couch. When we leave they get gated in the kitchen with their food, water, beds and toys. When I get home the VERY first thing I do is take them out to do their business (and get licked to death in greeting ). I tried crate training with the oldest (and first) but she had such severe separating anxiety she would defecate and urinate in the kennel and I'd have to bathe her every day (and her bedding and toys). I found the gate in the kitchen meant FAR fewer accidents (and now none) so that worked for us. once we do that doggie door thing though they might be outside dogs while we're gone and we'll do that flea spray on the grass to lessen the risk of that.

So I think the decision depends on the dog you get, the size/age of the dog you get (and what they're used to) and what sort of temperament. Only then will you really know what has to happen. Maybe once the dog gets older s/he is able to guard him/herself so outside while you're gone will work but when little inside might be the way to go.

Edited March 31, 2012 by Vanessa&Tony

[KLS2010 30]

Just echoing what most others have said...really depends on the breed and the weather.

I brought my two dogs (and three cats and two guinea pigs lol) over from Australia. One is a cattle dog and one is cattle dog x kelpie. They were outside dogs in Australia, but it I think it is just unbearable here in hot and humid Houston TX to leave them outside for too long, so now they are inside dogs. I do try to leave them outside for extended periods when I am home and when the weather is nice.

If you get a puppy, you will probably run into problems with chewing things, urinating/defecating, etc - so training is going to be essential if they are to spend any time inside (which they probably will given the cold in Minnesota).

And I also agree with the doggy door - may not be the best idea since you are saying you want a large breed. If it is going to need a doggy door large enough that a person can fit through - this may present security issues. We have had lots of break-ins via doggy doors around the Houston area.