Keeping dogs outside

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molliepops

15-12-2013

Originally Posted by Hotgossip:
“I forgot to say, my pet hate is people who have dogs which never get taken out. That really is cruel in my opinion.”

Depends why they don't take them out, we had one who was very scared outside he was a puppy farm dog and just didn't understand trees and grass, it would have been cruel to insist he did go out. Another our late Duncan was sufferer of multiple allergies so some times of year he couldn't go out and when grass was dry it was a nightmare for him as he had to be on steroids to be able to leave the flat. Steroids killed him in the end I sometimes wish he had been content indoors he would have been less itchy and no steroids.

mrsgrumpy49

15-12-2013

Originally Posted by Hotgossip:
“I forgot to say, my pet hate is people who have dogs which never get taken out. That really is cruel in my opinion.”

Or people who keep their dogs chained up for lengthy periods outside. A neighbour used to pass a collie which was constantly chained up and seemed desperate for attention. The owner said he had bought it as a working dog but couldn't use it due to an eye defect. So he kept it chained up outside to deter intruders.
She offered him a tidy cash sum for it's release and when she got it home found out it was totally blind. He is only a few years old and the vet says his sight could have been saved. Anyhow that dog is now a wonderful house dog. He is now healthy and his coat is glossy. She lets him loose in a nearby field and he runs and barks for the sheer joy of it. He knows where the boundaries are - you would think he could see - but you just call his name and he instantly wheels back. He has a lovely temperament too.

towers

20-12-2013

Originally Posted by Hotgossip:
“I know loads of people who have dogs living outside in kennels or runs. It's what they're used to. My mums neighbour has 6 gun dogs and they all live outside. They are the healthiest and best trained dogs I've ever seen. They get long, daily exercise.

A nearby farmer always has a couple of dogs who live outside. They just sleep on the back door mat. A woman I know bought a puppy from them once and she said it was a gorgeous dog but it never settled down properly in the house but if she was working in the garden it would lay down on the doorstep, curl up and go straight to sleep. Much preferred being outside.”

As others have implied, working dogs are usually fine living outside, as they're often getting decent stimulation, exercise and companionship.

But there's been cases of 'pet dogs' who've developed behavioural problems - including aggression and the destruction of property - because they 're been kept outside with little stimulation or exercise. My brother's ex owned a dog for a whooping 1 week before she decided she couldn't cope with one and it reminded me how ignorant many pet owners still are when it comes to an animals needs.

bazaar1

20-12-2013

Originally Posted by towers:
“As others have implied, working dogs are usually fine living outside, as they're often getting decent stimulation, exercise and companionship.

But there's been cases of 'pet dogs' who've developed behavioural problems - including aggression and the destruction of property - because they 're been kept outside with little stimulation or exercise. My brother's ex owned a dog for a whooping 1 week before she decided she couldn't cope with one and it reminded me how ignorant many pet owners still are when it comes to an animals needs.”

Yup. Had a phoned all from someone who had a dog 6 days and wanted to return him for being too bouncy. He's a bichon pup! What did she expect?

Esensuelle

21-12-2013

Thanks very much all.

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