Poll for dog owners!/ Update post #137

[hrh_disney_queen]

Some people just do not understand, do they? People are pretty judemental when they say it's wrong to have an outdoor dog. Myself, I think whatever is right for the dog and their owner. Not saying one way is wrong and the other way is right. Some people say if you're going to have an outdoor dog, why bother? Well, the same thing could be said if you're going to be working all day and leaving the dog in the house alone, why bother?

Sorry, but putting a lab (even with his winter coat is still short haired) in an unheated garage in a Michigan winter is not cool. (no pun intended) If beverages can freeze in that temp, what about the dog laying on a throw covering the bare cement? Have you ever put a thermomter in the garage to see how cold it is? Maybe I am totally wrong and your garage is heated and warm. If so, I apoligize for lack of information.

It is not the same as someone working all day, but brings their dog in the house when they get home. And it (inside vs outside living)should be right for the dog first. If it's not right for the owner, then the dog should have a new home.

I'm not even addressing the fact that a dog outside can bark and disturb the neighbors.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My problem is why so many act as though they have an issue with those of us who allow our animals to live outside.

The reason people get so passionate about the subject is because there are so many animals who become forgotten and neglected, banished to a life alone suffered in silence.

Maybe it's not something that's affected you in any way, or you've never seen anything like it. But just pick up a newspaper, turn on the TV or check out rescue websites and you'll see it's not uncommon. Just to answer your question. It may not start out that way, but sometimes it's what it becomes when life gets busy.

Personally, I think a working dog who lives in a barn with other animals and works during the day has an ideal life. I also don't have a problem with dogs kept outside that are well cared for and not wanting for anything (including food, water, shelter, medical care - all legal requirements for owners - and companionship).

It's the pets who are desperately alone, hungry - or starving, even - thirsty, in pain, in need of medical care, left out in extreme weather, maggot infested, or dying, that I have a big problem with. Unfortunately, animals in these conditions are out there. Just tune in to Animal Cops if you want to witness it firsthand. Extreme inhumanity at its best.

 

[N.Bailey]

I didn't need to read any update by the OP to know where she stood on the issue. After being a member for upward to 6 years and having over 1800 posts, I think most anyone around here knows to NEVER say anything negative about an animal because they'd be ripped a new one.

I agree with you though, OP. Bring the dog in with the family.

 

[cristit14]

My dog has free run of the house, but we don't let him on furniture. He will occasionally jump up on my son's bed but doesn't stay too long.

 

[padams]

We had a lab that hated coming inside the house. As soon as he was in, he wanted back out. I think he preferred the squirrels, birds and occasional coyote to us. They were his pack. We adopted him as an older dog from a breeder and he had spent most of his time outdoors. We never broke that habit.

Now we have a wheaten terrier puppy that does not like to go outside, especially if it is raining. It prefers for us to take him out with an umbrella so he doesn't get wet. Spoiled...

 

[luvsJack]

The reason people get so passionate about the subject is because there are so many animals who become forgotten and neglected, banished to a life alone suffered in silence.

Maybe it's not something that's affected you in any way, or you've never seen anything like it. But just pick up a newspaper, turn on the TV or check out rescue websites and you'll see it's not uncommon. Just to answer your question. It may not start out that way, but sometimes it's what it becomes when life gets busy.

Personally, I think a working dog who lives in a barn with other animals and works during the day has an ideal life. I also don't have a problem with dogs kept outside that are well cared for and not wanting for anything (including food, water, shelter, medical care - all legal requirements for owners - and companionship).

It's the pets who are desperately alone, hungry - or starving, even - thirsty, in pain, in need of medical care, left out in extreme weather, maggot infested, or dying, that I have a big problem with. Unfortunately, animals in these conditions are out there. Just tune in to Animal Cops if you want to witness it firsthand. Extreme inhumanity at its best.

Oh, sure I have seen the exact thing you are talking about. Just reported a guy down the road that had a horse in these conditions. And I have reported some folks that had several Dobermans in that condition. But, that is not the norm, it is the exception. And it still doesn't mean that every dog should be kept in the house. And I have seen some Animal Cops shows that show dogs that are kept in the house that are just as neglected; where the dog lives has nothing to do with it. Animal abuse is a horrible thing, but it has absolutely nothing to do with whether a dog or cat should live inside or outside.

To say that EVERY dog should be kept in the house and that EVERY dog owner who has an outside dog is being neglectful or abusive is just not fair.

I know a guy that takes his little lap dog with him in his 18-wheeler, he is over the top attached to this dog; to the point of actually saying that what happened to that dog mattered more to him than what happened to his own son. He would choose to be neglectful to his son if it came to a point of choosing who got what they needed. Would it be fair of me to say that this is the way all owners of small dogs kept in the house are? Of course not.

Our dogs are outside right now in the snow having a ball. The collie is running and chasing the falling snow and dd can throw a snowball and she will try to catch it. The dogs have more toys outside than dd does. They have a place to get out of the weather and are brought in (forced would be the word) in extreme weather. We interact with these dogs on a daily basis. Time is set aside between homework and supper just for time with the dogs and then dd feeds them and gives them fresh water. They are as far from being neglected as they can possibly be.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

To say that EVERY dog should be kept in the house and that EVERY dog owner who has an outside dog is being neglectful or abusive is just not fair.

I can accept that.

And thanks for keeping an eye out for the horse.

 

[MIGrandma]

Sorry, but putting a lab (even with his winter coat is still short haired) in an unheated garage in a Michigan winter is not cool. (no pun intended) If beverages can freeze in that temp, what about the dog laying on a throw covering the bare cement? Have you ever put a thermomter in the garage to see how cold it is? Maybe I am totally wrong and your garage is heated and warm. If so, I apoligize for lack of information.

It is not the same as someone working all day, but brings their dog in the house when they get home. And it (inside vs outside living)should be right for the dog first. If it's not right for the owner, then the dog should have a new home.

I'm not even addressing the fact that a dog outside can bark and disturb the neighbors.

*sigh* Like I said before, DH's dog gets lots of attention. She is not abused or mistreated in any way. And like I said before, she was unable to be house broken so would you prefer that we had taken her to the animal shelter to give her up? I don't think so. She does just fine outdoors. We have had beverages stored in the garage, when we buy on sale and have too many to put in the refrigerator and they NEVER FREEZE in the garage, so obviously it is warmer than 32 degrees in our garage. Maybe it's because it is an attached garage (to the house). It is usually above 40, which is perfectly fine for an outdoor dog. And she doesn't sleep on a "throw covering the bare cement." She sleeps on a THICK padded dog mattress. And she doesn't bark and disturb the neighbors when she's outside either. She barks when someone pulls in at the farm, which is what we WANT her to do. She will bark if an animal from the woods (raccoon, skunk, possum) is wandering around at night, and she will bark if she's in her pen and DH is out and about but won't let her out because they are doing something with farm machinery (like loading semi-trucks with corn, soybeans) and it's FOR HER OWN SAFETY to keep her in her pen.

She is loved, and DH spends a lot of time with her so I wish you people who say dogs should NEVER live outdoors would just do what's right for YOU and YOUR dog and leave those of us who have outdoor dogs and THAT is RIGHT for US and OUR dogs alone!! How difficult is that?!

 

[Scurvy]

And like I said before, she was unable to be house broken so would you prefer that we had taken her to the animal shelter to give her up?

MIGrandma, this part of your post jumped out at me. Did you talk to a vet about this? When one of my dogs was unable to control her bladder, it turned out to be a physical problem that was simple to fix with the proper medication. If she still has issues, it might be worth talking to your vet about it.

 

[kayla87]

MIGrandma, this part of your post jumped out at me. Did you talk to a vet about this? When one of my dogs was unable to control her bladder, it turned out to be a physical problem that was simple to fix with the proper medication. If she still has issues, it might be worth talking to your vet about it.

Yup...our youngest dog is on medication because she couldn't control her bladder when she relaxed, but it took us a long time to figure out that is what was happening, and that she wasn't doing it on purpose.

Those two angels are both gone now , and we have just adopted a new puppy. Husband wants the same rules as before, but it just bothers me and I really want him to be able to come at least into the family room with us, where we spend the most time.

I will suggest the compromise of allowing the little guy at least free rein of the first floor which is where the family room and our bedroom is but no going on the furniture or beds.

OP, I was trying to think of some practical advice for you, and not just debate on the issue. If the first time you owned dogs together, you had two, then they probably both kept each other company. Isolating one puppy on a tiled floor, while you spend all of your time in carpeted places sounds like a good way to raise a bored, destructive, ill-behaved dog (not inevitable, but it can easily happen). Dealing with two dogs vs one puppy changes how successful your compromise will actually work. I hope you can at least work it out where furniture is banned, but he/she can still be with you.

 

[Angelhalo]

She is loved, and DH spends a lot of time with her so I wish you people who say dogs should NEVER live outdoors would just do what's right for YOU and YOUR dog and leave those of us who have outdoor dogs and THAT is RIGHT for US and OUR dogs alone!! How difficult is that?!

This will NEVER happen so there is no point in getting all angry about it and demanding that people stop feeling the way that they do. Best option is to just leave and let people feel how they feel. Some people will always and forever believe it is crappy to have a dog and leave them outside all the time or to banish them to a cold garage. Their minds will never ever change on that. If that bothers you, fine, but you won't ever change their minds. So arguing endlessly about it is pointless.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Just tune in to Animal Cops if you want to witness it firsthand.

That show absolutely breaks my heart

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

*sigh* Like I said before, DH's dog gets lots of attention. She is not abused or mistreated in any way. And like I said before, she was unable to be house broken so would you prefer that we had taken her to the animal shelter to give her up? I don't think so. She does just fine outdoors. We have had beverages stored in the garage, when we buy on sale and have too many to put in the refrigerator and they NEVER FREEZE in the garage, so obviously it is warmer than 32 degrees in our garage. Maybe it's because it is an attached garage (to the house). It is usually above 40, which is perfectly fine for an outdoor dog. And she doesn't sleep on a "throw covering the bare cement." She sleeps on a THICK padded dog mattress. And she doesn't bark and disturb the neighbors when she's outside either. She barks when someone pulls in at the farm, which is what we WANT her to do. She will bark if an animal from the woods (raccoon, skunk, possum) is wandering around at night, and she will bark if she's in her pen and DH is out and about but won't let her out because they are doing something with farm machinery (like loading semi-trucks with corn, soybeans) and it's FOR HER OWN SAFETY to keep her in her pen.

She is loved, and DH spends a lot of time with her so I wish you people who say dogs should NEVER live outdoors would just do what's right for YOU and YOUR dog and leave those of us who have outdoor dogs and THAT is RIGHT for US and OUR dogs alone!! How difficult is that?!

Sorry, that is too cold for a short haired dog. Just my opinion, I know I wouldn't want to sleep in a 40 degree garage even with my winter coat on. And no matter what the dog sleeps on, cement radiates whatever temperature it is. How long can you stand being out in the garage before you start to shiver? I am not saying dogs should NEVER live outdoors, but they should be inside when the weather is bad. Inside, meaning where it's warm.

Actually, I do apologize about the barking comment from me. It wasn't intended for you, but for people that have neighbors who are within earshot of an outside dog that barks all day and night.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I grew up with having only outdoor dogs. All year around (in NJ where it gets pretty darn cold) they lived outside as did a lot of my neighbors dogs. They had insulated dog houses to sleep in and to go into when it was very cold, snowing or raining. We had husky mix dogs and an akita when I was very young. The vets always new these dogs stayed outside 24/7 and never mentioned that they needed to be brought inside. My father grew up on a farm with outside dogs as well, it was really the only way we knew of having dogs.

Now fast forward 20 years and DH & I have a boxer, he is sleeping on his comfy bed just a few feet away from me Our dog has full run of the house but he isn't allowed on the furniture (ok, I let him on the bed once in awhile ). He lived with DH and my inlaws before we were married, there he was only allowed in the kitchen (tiled floor), then eventually he was allowed in the rec room when we put a blanket down on the carpet.

I can see it from each perspective but honestly I wouldn't want my baby... errr dog, to have it any other way. Our dog is part of our family, he is our baby and I love having him right here next to me all the time

 

[Disneycrazy!!]

One of our dogs has free run of the house. She is a shih tzu who is perfectly housebroken and a perfect dog!!!!!

The other two, another shih tzu and a boxer have limited access. They stay in our large laundry room. They only come into our living room with us when supervised. Especially they little tzu..she is a major wizzer on my carpets. My boxer is getting really old and is having frequent accidents now. He used to have free roam also but cleaning a 90 lb dog's pee "puddle" is not fun.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

The truthful answer is my dogs let me stay in THEIR house.

Thats pretty much our situation aswell.

 

[Skywalker]

Since you felt so bad about the way you treated your previous two dogs, you should have worked on getting your DH to agree with your terms BEFORE you brought another dog in the house.

Just to clarify, I have no problem with the way my husband "treated" the dogs. He is an awesome, loving, playful dog owner. It is strictly an issue of boundaries. We have discussed the issue but somehow I thought I won and he thought he won.

OP, I'm sorry that you and your DH don't see eye to eye on this issue. What breed of dog do you have? That would factor into my decision as well. Some breeds are more able to adapt to an outdoor lifestyle and some absolutely can not be kept outdoors!

We're not sure. He was a rescue...they think he's a lab/border collie/newfoundland/sheppard type of thingy, lol. But being strictly outdoors is not an issue at all. It is just a matter of how much "house" he gets. I had only included that option in the poll because my husband seemed to think outdoor dogs were very common, and allowing them in the house at all was a huge compromise on his part. I was able to show him that is not really the case generally. But a totally outdoor dog would never fly with me.

It's probably a subject from another thread. (And it just so happens I have one going! )

But I have just one question.

Who died and left him in charge?

And I will ask him that!

OP, I was trying to think of some practical advice for you, and not just debate on the issue. If the first time you owned dogs together, you had two, then they probably both kept each other company. Isolating one puppy on a tiled floor, while you spend all of your time in carpeted places sounds like a good way to raise a bored, destructive, ill-behaved dog (not inevitable, but it can easily happen). Dealing with two dogs vs one puppy changes how successful your compromise will actually work. I hope you can at least work it out where furniture is banned, but he/she can still be with you.

You know, this is an EXCELLENT point! He will be hearing it later,lol.

Well, I did show him the poll results so he does understand that I fall within normal range for pet owners and that he is a little harsher than most when it comes to that. He is the one that insisted his way was more common so he asked for that poll to put him in his place!

I have negotiated that in addition to the tiled rooms the pup is allowed in the family room during the day and in our bedroom at night but only on his dog beds Still not allowed the run of the house and not allowed on any furniture or beds, but I can live with that.

Thanks so much for everyone's perspectives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(And just a note, pupppy is in the family room, on his dog bed, while my husband stokes the fire and the kids are on the Playstation. Just how it should be. )

 

[2girlsmom]

OP, I am please that you and your husband were able to reach a good compromise, that's wonderful!

To all the posters who allow their dogs on their furniture (and I have been known to do that too), I saw last week that dogs are carriers for the Merca virus along with e coli, etc, and that having them on the bed is one of the things doctors are now saying can cause humans to contract disease, as we are basically sleeping in the bacteria/viruses that they are carrying when we do. Does that information affect your wanting the dogs on the furniture? I ask because I am still kinda processing and deciding what impact that info has on ME... the studies are saying no kissing dog, no dog licking human faces, and no dogs on beds for health, though...

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

OP, I am please that you and your husband were able to reach a good compromise, that's wonderful!

To all the posters who allow their dogs on their furniture (and I have been known to do that too), I saw last week that dogs are carriers for the Merca virus along with e coli, etc, and that having them on the bed is one of the things doctors are now saying can cause humans to contract disease, as we are basically sleeping in the bacteria/viruses that they are carrying when we do. Does that information affect your wanting the dogs on the furniture? I ask because I am still kinda processing and deciding what impact that info has on ME... the studies are saying no kissing dog, no dog licking human faces, and no dogs on beds for health, though...

I think that if we all avoided what "studies" said were bad for our health, we would all live in bubbles ala John Travolta in my favorite cheesy movie ever We're not big on our dogs licking faces in our house but that's mostly because we're still working on getting our dogs to not eat poo I would, however, like to show that study to my Dad who has the wonderful habit of sharing his fork with his Boston Terrier

 

[Angelhalo]

OP, I am please that you and your husband were able to reach a good compromise, that's wonderful!

To all the posters who allow their dogs on their furniture (and I have been known to do that too), I saw last week that dogs are carriers for the Merca virus along with e coli, etc, and that having them on the bed is one of the things doctors are now saying can cause humans to contract disease, as we are basically sleeping in the bacteria/viruses that they are carrying when we do. Does that information affect your wanting the dogs on the furniture? I ask because I am still kinda processing and deciding what impact that info has on ME... the studies are saying no kissing dog, no dog licking human faces, and no dogs on beds for health, though...

Not at all. We have leather furniture which I wipe down with clorox wipes a couple of times per week