Dear all,

Since getting my new puppy, my 'noisy' neighbour is continually giving me unwanted advice on how to bring up my pup. Lately, he has been asking me when I am going to move the puppy outside as his dog was living outside permanently in his kennel from 8 weeks old no matter what the weather conditions (his dog is no longer around...this was years ago).
To cut a long story short, I got a bit annoyed today when he again told me this and replied that my dog would never live permanently outside on his own and that I wanted him to have a healthy balance between been in and out as he pleases. The reply I got was quite shocking as he told me I couldn't have a dog living and sleeping inside as the home is no place for a dog at all, and they should be kept outside. Well....I walked off as I knew I would be wasting my time to discuss this further with him.
However, I wondered what you Champdoggers felt on this issue. Where do your dogs live...mostly inside or out? Do you feel its right to keep pets outside and not in the house? At what age did you begin leaving your dog outside (if you did) ???

Let me know your views as this guy really isn't the first to tell me this...
Cheers :)
Claire

Hi there,

Personally, I can't see the point of having a dog and then keeping it outside! They need companionship and socialisation - especially at that young age.
If a dog is kept as a pet, I can see no reason why they can't or shouldn't be kept indoors. I'd hate to put Murphy outside

Ruth

I wished I had a bigger house and could keep them all inside, but with 20+ dogs at any given time it isn't possible. My own dogs are all in the house apart from one who is dog aggressive.

Taylor

I feel exactly the same. I can sort of see the point of keeping working dogs outside but pets are supposed to be part of the family not just an exercise tool.
If all someone wanted was to walk their dog and not spend any other time with it they should just get a walking machine.

Exactly - my dogs are part of my family and live indoors - the maximum I've had is 5 adults, and boy, it gets cosy! Working animals you may want to keep outside, but pets, no way! Even my guinea-pigs come indoors at night.

Edited and added to because I pressed the wrong button before I'd finished!

Freya lives inside but can come in and out as she pleases, dog flap left open majority of the time.

With the house having central heating she likes to sleep outside sometimes, before anyone starts saying thats cruel, shes a mal, and absolutly loves the cold.... she often lies right next to the dog flap. with the cold draught running over her.

jay

Oooo I couldn't leave my little Mungo outside :(
If it's a pet then definately inside IMO
Even my 3 tortoises come in at night :)

If Sasha is naughty then we put her out as a punishment but only for 10/15 mins. Pets belong indoors, not shut away outside.

Daniel.

Franc

as you can guess different people have different opinions on the subject. So just to add to the debate here are mine.

My Akita was outside from 3 months, would have been earlier but needed to get her to sleep through first as I didn't want her to wake the neighbourhood.

My Lab was out from about 10 weeks, but she was sleeping with the 7 stone akita! So had plenty of warm dog to cuddle up to.

Whether your dog is kept inside or out I don't believe matters - what matters is the attention and love you give to it.

Mine sleep out what ever the weather (-10 C coldest so far) and they seem perfectly fine. When we are at home, except when we are sleeping, the choice is theirs. Mainly they choose to be outside. Shouldn't any dog be able to run around in the garden when it wants?

Whilst I love my dogs and would do anything for them, in the end they are dogs and both of the breeds I have were originally breed to be working dogs, so I believe it is in their blood to be kept outside. My akita would suffer coat problems if she had to cope with central heating and the dryness that you normally get inside a house. Where as she has a lovely coat, as does Jinx the Lab.

You always have to remember not to put human values/behaviours on any animal - they just do not fit. Look at the way people train dogs as opposed to the way people teach children. They are not the same.

All that being said if I had a bigger house with a room that I could keep cool then I would quite happily keep them inside - but that is not much different to the kennel and run that I keep mine in. They can do what they want in there, including their toilet, without anyone worrying. They do not get confused. At 9pm every night mine start looking at the back door and as soon as I open it the walk out into their run and go to sleep.

well that is my opinion for what it is worth.

Tim

Franc,
I agree with Tim :)
I have an Akita X and four Great Danes who are all kennelled outside. The kennels were purpose built so are warm enough and have good size runs attached. There is also a fenced in paddock where they can have a supervised charge about together. every evening after tea the dogs come up to the house and stay with us until we go to bed, when they are put "to bed" in their kennels. This works well for us, we have the dogs with us all evening, but during the day they are outside, and for sleeping.

Grace

I HAVE MY 3 DOGS, THE 2 LABS SLEEP IN THE UTILITY AREA IN THE GARAGE WHICH HAS A DOGFLAP IN DOOR SO THEY HAVE ACCESS INTO THE GARDEN, BUT ONLY AT NIGHT, THEY ARE IN THE HOUSE ALL DAY WHEN WE ARE HOME, BUT THE OLD BOY SLEEPS IN, HE ALWAYS HAS DONE SINCE HE WAS A PUP AND I WOULDN'T CHANGE THIS, BUT WE DECIDED WHEN WE WERE GETTING THE PUPS THEY WOULD SLEEP IN THE UTILITY FROM AN EARLY AGE (3 MTHS), THEY HAVE EACH OTHER AND THERE IS HEATING IN THERE TOO, AND AS SOMEONE ALREADY MENTIONED THEY NOW KNOW WHEN IT IS BEDTIME AND WAIT AT THE DOOR TO GO OUT.....

My Elkhounds are in all day, and whenever I am out, as I have close neighbours and they might bark. At about 11pm they go to bed in a double kennel two per kennel in their vet bed lined baskets.

The rest of the tinme they only nip pitside for a pee, and prefer to do their playing when out for a walk! The rest of the time they just lie around my living areas!

My dogs have warm, dry kennels and a large run and can come and go as they please as the door is always open through the day. I close it at night.
One of my GSD's I have brought into the house now as he is elderly and ill but he has lived outside for years in all weathers.

Mine have always been inside, they love their family - and that's not being anthropomorphic, :D - and need to be with them; when I worked i made thenm a super kennel and run with bones to gnaw in the garden and had no end of trouble, they wanted to be inside. I can understand dogs being kept outside if they are working dogs and have really good kennels etc, but for my money my companion dogs are wanted inside and with us :)

Lindsay

It is a matter of personal choice.....and no neighbour has the right to impose their views on you, you do what you jolly well like!

Now THAT is the best thing I've read on the thread. From the sound of the neighbour he's no right to tell you anything about anything. Can you imagine him calling the humane society and complaining that his neighbour 'doesn't keep his dog outside 24/7'?? Actually that's probably one they'd respond to LOL.

Wendy

It is your choice where you keep your dog not your neighbours - so tell him to sling his hook.
Everyone's circumstances are different & everyone's opinions are different.
My Vizslas would be horrified if I showed them a kennel however comfortable it might be - they prefer being under the duvet with me!
Steph

Our dogs live inside and love their home comforts but I think if they were given the choice they would probably prefer to be outside. After all, they are very eager to be let out and usually only come in when they're called. They would spend all day in the garden if I let them.

My lot have to be forced outside if it's raining..! I imagine I'll be able to get near the fireplace in about April when the sun comes out!

LOL Jeangenie!

My 2 hate going out in the rain (one just flatly refuses unless she is desperate). When I open the door in the morning they will look out if it is raining, then look at me as if to say 'You expect me to go out in THAT??!!' When they can't wait any longer they dashe out, do what they have to and dash hell for leather to get back in the warm and dry!

Karen :)

Hi Karen,
It sounds like you've been looking after my dogs!!!:D "Rain? - we don't do rain", huff, noses in the air as they retreat to the sofa.

I suppose it's a matter of choice, but I can't help disagree with the statement that "dogs don't belong indoors." Given a choice, most dogs would prefer to stay outside (I know mine would), but if they want to come in during a lightning storm, I think it's just cruel not to let them.

Thanks very much for all your opinions. It is good to be able to get good reasons to a debate without lots of heated arguments.

Thanks again,
Claire

Hiya,

I have GSD's and BC's. 2 of the gsd's live in with me, but the rest of my dogs are in warm dry kennels with big runs.

I wish my house was big enough to have all 7 dogs in! but unfortunately it isn't.
I have noticed though, that all my dogs that are kennelled have beautiful coats :)

Lisa

I have 6 dogs{7 until october when one passed away} 5 goldens and a JR they all live inside, they do spend alot of time in the kitchen if they are dirty or wet and have have access to the covered sideway and garden all day.

I also look after other peoples dogs when they are away in the house and have had upto 12 dogs{bit of a squeeze!!!!}

I dont have a problem with people who kennel their dogs providing the kennel is warm dry and has heating if it is needed.

I have found that the dogs who come to our ringcraft that are kenneled dogs are very smelly and not as good with other dogs.

in this day and age you have to have everything tied down incase someone steals it and I would do nothing but worry with dogs that are kept outside.
I get on very well with my neighbours and do not allow the dogs to bark too much.
emma xxxx

Hi Emma...

You are lucky beng able to have your lot inside, I'd love that :D
Can imagine it would be a bit chaotic with you having other peoples dogs...but it sounds great...my idea of heaven!!!

I know what you mean about kennelled dog being a little bit smelly (though it's not always the case) My dogs were bedded down on shredded paper for a long time.

I noticed that they did smell a bit.....and also all of them loved lying on my horses hay in the barn.
I've now started bedding them on hay....and they love it!!

I'm pretty certain that bedding on hay or straw can can cause allergic reactions in some dogs due to the dust, but mine have been great on it.

Also, I have 3 GSD's..2 live inside with me.....the other one can be snappy with other dogs at times, even though she is very well socialised.

Anyway, just thought i'd share some thoughts.

Take care

Lisa

lisa, chaotic YEP it can be and I am blessed with 6 dogs who dont mind other dogs coming and going even sharing their beds.
I have had to sacrifice alot of things to have dogs indoors carpets being one none of them downstairs, gravel garden to keep the dogs and house clean{cleanish!} a dyson hoover that looks like it has been in a war!!!through over-use and a VERY good memory not to leave any food on the worksurfaces!!!

BUT I have 24hr furry hot water bottles
A friendly face who I can tell all my troubles to without them judging me!
A wonderful mop when drinks get spilt on the floor and the kids love the fact they can feed the dogs behind my back and say they have eaten it all!
emma xxxxxx

I have a 2 working spaniels. They sleep outside at night in a kennel and spend time in there during the day when we are out (I work and my son is at college so are out for varying periods of time). They have a large run infront of the kennel and have space, shelter and privacy. When we are in they are with us, but they have space when they need it, i.e. have lots of visitors and can retire quietly to the kennel (or bed as we call it). The pup who is now 9months has been outside all her life and is fine. I give them plenty of vetbed for warmth and it is ME who in the cold chilly evenings feels so awful at putting them out - it certainly doesn't seem to be a problem for them as much as it is psychologically for me.

Claire
What breed is your puppy? Just being nosy - sorry
It is your dog, your home, do what you want!
Ignore that neighbour of yours
Steph

A chocolate labrador...I must admit the replies have been fantastic and I am considering maybe putting the puppy outside at night to sleep. I'm worried about the barking he will begin though and don't want to upset my neighbour.

Franc

I wouldn't worry about the barking disturbing your neighbour, after all he was the one that said you should kennel your dog outside!

As I have state earlier my dogs actively look to go out to bed at 9pm. The kennel is not heated at all as my akita cannot stand the heat, prefers the cold, you should see her asleep in the snow/frost!

My dogs smell less than others that I know who were all kept inside.
As long as you build a proper kennel and run I'm sure they will be fine and better for it. IMHO

My dog is a member of the family, and he actually sleeps in my bed with me under the covers, with his head on my pillow. Hes spoiled, but I love him to death. And I can't see a dog owner, who has a pet...leaving it outside for the night, or all day!!!!

For those of you who have your dogs in bed with you, how clean are the dogs? Going in and out they're sure to bring in a bit of dirt right? Although I've sometimes had my dog on top of the covers (if she's had a bath that day and I've wiped her down with a cloth), I'd hate to have her under the covers with me, and certainly not anywhere near my pillow. I don't particularly like the idea of sleeping in dog drool. JMHO of course.

I must say that my dogs are far cleaner than my boyfriend who works very hard building fences and comes home and goes to bed very often without having a bath!!!!!!!!!!!
emma xx

I would say probably depends on breed, coat type etc. We always had the dachsies in bed with us back home (in Canada) - was just the done thing. Now that we have whippets since moving here they now share the bed. It does seem to be more common back in North America than it is over here, but hey - they make GREAT bed warmers on a coooooold winter night LOL. (and don't snore as loud as the husband LOL)

Wendy

I have 2 Newfoundlands Megan had always slept in the house, 2 years later we got P.J.he had been an outside dog we tried to keep him inside throught the night be he would hammer at the back door and he scratched it to bits, through the summer he did not like the heat in the house he liked to lay on the concrete, then megan decided she would not be without him, They now have a mobil home in the garden the door is left open in the daytime and lock about 12 at night,they would not thank you for being house dog's. I think these thing depend on indivedual animal's if it rains they will go up the garden and roll in the wet grass,

My girls sleep out in their bedroom/kennel, but equalkly well have slept on my bed when I have stayed in a hotel (I had bought covers to put on the berd in case they did come onto the beds. This was the first time we had been in a hotel with them, but my friends dogs always got up on the bed in the morning for a cuddle at home, and slept in the bedroom!

When I went with just Jozi to the Pedigree finals I took my brand new Soft Crate, and she was happy to sleep in there, and stay in there while we were at the reception.

At this very momnent said bitch is curled up under the covers with my kids on the sofa, with head on pillow, but she is more than happy to go to her proper bed outside.

Mine is a double coated breed, so dirt tends to drop off the coat, and their feet don't retain the great outdopors, so having them in bed isn't a problem, but because of this lovely coat they are much better spending their nights outside in the cool and fresh atmosphere. The lazy lumps spend the other 16 - 18 hours in the house!!!

It is entirely up to the indidvidual owners and dogs needs as to where they sleep.

My Labs couldn`t care less about the rain, but Toffee, my mongrel, no way!!!! She looks out, wrinkles her nose then turns back & goes to bed. If I think she`s been hanging on too long I have to go out first then she`ll dash out do her piddle & run back in. :)
Christine, Spain.

Hi,we used to have a collie cross that we rehomed 12 years ago but he died just before Christmas. He always slept outside in a large kennel.When we first brought him home he would cry when we went to bed,we could not understand why so my dad built a very large kennel,a childrens play house in fact will full insulation,carpets and curtains and thats where he slept until about 2 months before he died.I think that some dogs like it and others don't.we have a Bul Terrier pup now and although she loves to be in the garden,I would not let her sleep outside,not because she wouldn't,but we have a lot of dog thefts around here and it would break my heart if someone stole her.Your choice but don't let your nosey neighbour tell you what you should or should not do,he obviously doesn't treat his dogs as pets!!
Kim