You certainly sound like a good pet owner. I try not to judge people. I understand your arguement regarding those who abuse their animals or ignore them, not provide what they need in terms of attention / stimulation / good food / medical care etc - whether they are an inside or outside dog. I personally could never have an outside-only dog, it's just not something I am capable of. Just like I probably couldn't ever have pigs, goats, cows or horses, because I would have to have them ALL come inside to sleep, at the very least...LOL Crazy yes, but that's just me. *insert the I'm speshhhalll smiley here" ...haha

There are those who would judge me for having so many dogs and it doesn't phase me at all because I know they are very well taken care of and really that's all that matters. I think you're doing a great job with the circumstances you've been given so don't let anyone's opinion bother you. You know how devoted you are to Maple and once you are able to make your own "rules" you will do things differently, but until then just keep doing what you're doing and don't allow the judgements of others to define you or make you feel like you're less of a person.

 

There is nothing wrong with having outside dogs. Growing up, we always had outside dogs. When the weather got very cold out we would either bring them into the barn, or in the house with us, depending on if it was below 0.

 

I have nothing against people who prefer their dogs to live outside, as long as all the dogs needs are more than met ... which it sounds like your dogs are
but ..... I dont understand why they prefer it & never will , they could explain til they are blue in the face and it wont make sense to me ... thats not to say im putting them down or think they are wrong , I just find it incomprehensible owning a dog but not allowing that dog to integrate with the family indoors , im sure your parents have their reasons for not allowing your dog indoors

I couldnt even begin to imagine not having my three with me ... as far as im concerned any mess , muddy paw prints or fur covered sofas are more than compensated for by the amount of love & affection and companionship I get from my dogs

 

I agree with everything you said and feel the same way.
I also agree that dogs can be abused/neglected outside or inside so as long as someone is taking good care of their dogs like you seem to be I don't have a problem with it.

 

My dog live to outside and to inside also. but she like outside more. I build to dinar dog house but she sit in rain like dum dog. I never see dinar to inside ever. dinar always sleep to my bed side on floor. I give to dinar big area always food and water every day. I take her to walk long 3 time in every day in morning 4am first then in middle of day and in night time also. maybe middle of night I dont know actual time but late when every one in bed to sleep.
I take her in city every day also in field to run like wild dog and in night time also. she has good fur coat thick also this protect her good when ice and snow here.
my uncle have always 2 same breed dog and always live to outside they never go to inside when he ask from them to go inside. they look in his house then to his children then to his wife and walk away. I think to myself maybe his dog dont like family. lol I make a joke lol
No my uncle always good and kind man for his 2 dog. never beat them never shout to them never become angry to them. I tell to you now a story of my uncle he see this man who beat his dog in yard. this man use wood to beat dog. my uncle see this and go to stop man. my uncle was angry and push man to floor then take wood away. he see dog bleed from head then my uncle even more angry and use wood to beat man to same hand he beat dog. my uncle took his dog away. then police come and make more problem to his home. my uncle broke 3 fingers for this man and my uncle tell to police he do same matter when he see man beat dog agian. This dog first dog I have ever and keep him 4 yer maybe. then he die from old wound animal doctor tell to me.

 

I see nothing wrong with a well taken care of outside dog.

a outside dog can be abused, as well as a inside dog.

IMO if a dog doesnt get enough food, shelter, vet care (when/if needed), excersise. I find that abuse, be they are indoor dogs or outdoor dogs.
I dont think I would ever have a outdoor dog. But thats just me, some people prefer it, and so be it. As long as the dog is treated well either way.

 

I grew up with outdoor dogs in Arizona. Nobody ever had issues with the weather, not even the summer heats because we made sure they were cared for. I myself now have indoor dogs, I think TBH its only because we started our crew living in an apartment where they couldn't be outside. That and my bf grew up with spoiled indoor dogs lol (yes they are spoiled, not bc they are indoor, bc of EVERYTHING else )
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I have no problem with outside dogs as long as there cared for properly.

I prefer inside dogs but my two live outside as this is my mums house and i have to live by her rules but I am lucky enough she allows them to sleep in my room at night. This took me a while to convince my mum to allow. My dogs are fed, walked, played with, trained and gets loads of attention and great food. When I move out, my dogs will become inside dogs but I'll admit, sometimes depending on my mood, they might go outside for a little cause sometimes I just need 'me' time.

 

Sounds like a happy well cared for dog to me!

 

a outside dog can be abused, as well as a inside dog.

Yep! I agree with everyone else that as long as a dogs mental and physical needs are being met it doesnt matter if it sleeps outside or inside. I think some dogs even prefer to be outside rather than in, I know my Akita would probably love to sleep outside I have to call him in at night!

 

I think what you're doing is totally fine. I think the problem is that 90% of the time (or more) "outside dog" owners do not do what you do. I've seen outside dogs that got literally 10 minutes a day of attention, if that, and had a small backyard to spend their life in. That is what the problem is, and, honestly, with the amount of time you spend with your dog and her set-up, it sounds like she's doing really well. It's great you want to have her as part of your inside family once you're able to.

 

here, the outside dogs...well, they ALL are "outside" dogs....they are lucky if they get a tree to shade them... of course they are generally tied to said tree.


you are an exception. I think what you do is wonderful. But generally, commonly, mostly...its not that way....

 

there are a fair number of outside dogs that are just sorta forgotten/kept out there because their people don't understand what else to do with them... those poor souls don't get a smidgeon of the love that you described for your dog... heck, lots of indoor dogs don't either...

IMO, it isn't ideal, but it isn't evil and bad, and clearly, you understand that the dog needs love and attention, and are meeting/exceeding your dog's needs...she is lucky to have you!

 

I grew up with 2 outside dogs. I agree with the others that as long as the dog is well cared for is fine. Tho, from the time I was able to live on my own I couldn't live without my dogs laying next to me! I'm crazy and I always want to know what are they doing and if they are fine.
I have to say I hate finding their fur all over my house...but I prefer this from not letting them in. Of course my current set up is more complicated than this.

 

The ideal place for a dog is in the home with their people, imo. Dogs are pack animals and need to feel like they are integrated with their family to thrive. That said, I think your dog is very well cared for an loved since you're going so far out of your way to meet its needs while it lives outside. You are definitely an exception to the common rule of how outdoor dogs are treated. It is far easier to neglect an outdoor dog than it is an indoor dog, but a dog can be kept outdoors as long as their owner makes the extra effort needed to make sure the dog still feels integrated.

 

The ideal place for a dog is in the home with their people, imo. I think your dog is very well cared for an loved since you're going so far out of your way to meet its needs while it lives outside. You are definitely an exception to the common rule of how outdoor dogs are treated

I think to my self how you know this member is exception to the common rule. (I copy this from you post)I think to my self you know many many people maybe and then you know this but I dont know. but you forget fact of matter some dog live out side of home always because sometime indoor not good to dog when dog have so much fur.
my dog live out side of my home in day time but when I go to bed in night time she come in to home and sleep on floor by bed. she choose this her self. then in morning she choose to go to outside. she choose this in rain and snow also when temprature -30c
I think to my self I am cruel to keep her to inside of home but you think to your self maybe I neglect my dog but this is not fact of matter.

 

I agree with everything that's been posted. You're an exception, and treat your dog very well, and obviously love him/her very much!! As it's been said, your dog is very lucky to have you!

However, I am from the south, and SO many people here own dogs that are just left chained outside, with no stimulation, no attention, etc. They're lucky to get daily food and water. I know someone who owns 15 chihuahuas that live in a small pen (maybe 5x6 feet) outside year round (it gets down to 5 degrees F in the winter, and up to 105 degrees F in the summer here), but because they receive food, water, and have "shelter", they are within their legal rights. I personally think that's bullsh*t. It's sad, and sickening, and they constantly let them breed, and inbreed. Most of them have extreme underbites or overbites because they breed with their brothers and sisters. It pisses me off to no end, but there's nothing I (or anyone else) can do about it. The sad thing is, that it's not intentional abuse, it's just ignorance. If someone were to explain to them WHY it is wrong, maybe things would be different. They are just raised to see dogs as disposable objects. (Why they get them in the first place is beyond me).

There are at least a dozen other examples I can give you of outside dogs who receive next to nothing, who are ABUSED imo, but it would take me all day to type them up. It's depressing, and just horrible. And those are just the people I know personally, I see even more examples all the while time driving down the road.

That being said, when I was younger, we always had outdoor dogs. They would generally come in at night, but spent most of their time outside in a fenced backyard. They were large dogs, and liked being outside. We had a small dog who was inside, and the other dogs lived outside. I prefer indoor dogs, but our outside dogs were always loved and cared for. Regrettably, they didn't get much structured exercise (walking) but I was a child, and didn't know much about caring for dogs. We did however play stimulating games with them such as frisbee, ball, and trick training.

After I got older, I insisted that our dogs live inside, and since then, all the dogs we've had have lived inside with us, including small and large breeds. I just like it that way, I enjoy spending 24/7 time with them. I don't think I could stand to leave them outside alone. My current dog, Chloe, spends ALL day by my side, and sleeps in bed with me at night. She's my baby.

 

Jarek, I have trouble understanding your writing, but it sounds like your dog can choose to be either inside or outside, which is quite different from the dogs that are locked out back without interaction with their owners. Most of the time when a dog lives completely outside it is in situations like weeniedog describes. The dog has no choice on whether it is inside with it's owners or if it's out back alone, and the owners rarely come out to play with it or interact with it. Often times the dog gets all its exercise from being out in the backyard and is never walked or jogged with.

As for the idea that a dog shouldn't be inside because it has so much fur? There is no such thing as a dog that sheds too much to be an inside dog. If you're saying this because you think their thick fur coat makes them overheat inside the home, that never happens unless you keep your house at 90F or something. If you're saying this because of how much they shed, that just means its a personal problem you have with dog fur, not the dog's fault. Dog fur around the house is part of owning a dog. If you don't want a dog that sheds so much, don't get that breed of dog, simple as that. Their grooming requirements (and your vacuuming requirements) are just as important as their exercise needs. Its so sad to see people ignore that and say "Oh, I'll just make them live outside" JUST because of their fur.

 

Jarek, I have trouble understanding your writing, which is quite different

As for the idea that a dog shouldn't be inside because it has so much fur? There is no such thing as a dog that sheds too much to be an inside dog.

If you're saying this because you think their thick fur coat makes them overheat inside the home, that never happens unless you keep your house at 90F or something. If you're saying this because of how much they shed, that just means its a personal problem you have with dog fur, not the dog's fault. Dog fur around the house is part of owning a dog. If you don't want a dog that sheds so much, don't get that breed of dog, simple as that. Their grooming requirements (and your vacuuming requirements) are just as important as their exercise needs. Its so sad to see people ignore that and say "Oh, I'll just make them live outside" JUST because of their fur.

Luananeko now I take more time properly with care to write and I think to my self you understand from me more maybe. I tell to you sorry my english is bad but I learn english 6 month now and I think to my self when I read post from forum it help make my english beter. but I tell to you I dont have problem with dog hair. I brush dinar evry day out side of home same like I comb my hair every day this is good care for dog. she have good coat and thick and have 3 level of diferent fur. this breed dog breeder tell to me coat is design for all weather but not good when weather is hot. he tell to me also dog not much like to be in side to home. this is fact of matter I know also because dinar ask from me to go out side of home in morning time and sty all day but not when I take her to walk. I do this 3 long walk every day. now I tell to you this fact of matter when dinar is in side to home for to o long time she sweat and pant and this is same like stress for dog. I see she dont be happy because in side to home to ohot to her. but she dum dog because she stay by my bed side all night time and I think to my self this is strange fact of matter if she like so much to be out side from home.
Now I tell toy ou this fact of matter also breeder tell to me in night time sarplaninac is serios dog because night time sarplaninac rule dark and watch evry thing and listen for every thing. sarplaninac night time dog with eyes same like cat. this fact of matter make me think to my self if this fact of matter true why dinar sleep by side of my bed on floor if sarplaninac guard watch hours of dark. I think to my self maybe expert not always right.
Jarek

 

Most of the time when a dog lives completely outside it is in situations like weeniedog describes. The dog has no choice on whether it is inside with it's owners or if it's out back alone, and the owners rarely come out to play with it or interact with it. Often times the dog gets all its exercise from being out in the backyard and is never walked or jogged with.

I always have to debate this just because I grew up with outdoor dogs

While some of you see this, some others dont, like me. My family has mainly outdoor dogs, they dont have the option, they are outside during the daytime and most nights (except during excessive heat waves and freezing nights). They are also not walked or jogged often at all. My parents go outside daily and play with the dogs, they turn the sprinkles on during summertime 5 times a day, the dogs swim during summer, have shade, a dog house, water, food, love, affection and a thick blanket during the winter. They are happy healthy balanced dogs. Everyone I know that has outdoor dogs give them attention.

Its so sad to see people ignore that and say "Oh, I'll just make them live outside" JUST because of their fur.

We have to be real considerate here because many people were raised believing dogs belong outdoors, and IMO there is nothing wrong with it. It would be the same if someone who fed raw said people who feed kibble are just lazy or ignorant or foolish. The way people were raised and the way people believe are different from home to home, state to state, country to country, I still to this day see nothing wrong with the way my parents own dogs I see nothing wrong with outdoor dogs.

 

Thanks all for your input. It just frustrates me when someone off-handedly mentions that they keep their dog outside (ESPECIALLY on Yahoo Answers) and then everyone jumps on them and calls out the abuse card without really looking at the whole situation first. xD
Then again there are also lots of outside (and also inside but way more outside) dogs who aren't taken care of very well. This seems to be true for a lot of cases so that's probably why most people generalize all of those who keep outside dogs as people who don't really care.

 

Outdoor dogs have become a lot less common since I was younger. It is easier for people to ignore dogs that are outdoors, especially nowadays with computers, video games and everything else. I don't like it when outdoors dogs are loose and running around the neighborhood. They are annoying at my house.

I suppose if your providing a dog enough attention, it is alright to have an outdoor dog, but few people do this with outdoor dogs.

 

but few people do this with outdoor dogs.

Man you guys make me play devils advocate here lol

I understand you assume this, but please know you cant tell just by looking at a dog as you drive/walk by. Its not a fair assumption as I grew up with outdoor dogs and most my family has outdoor dogs and everyone is cared for greatly. What about the people who lock their dogs in crates inside all the time? Or those who are never home (they work and go out a lot), what about farmers with herd guarding dogs who stay outside 24/7, etc. Now if you want to say you know a few people who seem to ignore their dog then its different than saying few people with outdoor dogs take care of those dogs.

Sorry its a touchy subject with me as I see no issue with it and was raised with "thats where the dogs live".

 

Man you guys make me play devils advocate here lol

I understand you assume this, but please know you cant tell just by looking at a dog as you drive/walk by. Its not a fair assumption

The thing is, if I saw a dog in a fenced backyard, that's one thing, and I wouldn't make assumptions. Sadly, I don't see many situations like that, I mostly see dogs chained to a dog house in the middle of winter with hardly any space to move, let alone get any exercise, or in a tiny outdoor kennel, and it makes me sad.

 

This is the way I see it. If you know you are doing your best to make sure your dogs are both happy physically and mentally, than you should not have anyone tell you otherwise. Your friends know you take care of your dogs right? Don't let some strangers put you down just because they think you are a bad owner for having an dog outside.

Many people think a dog who is inside is taken well cared of, but as others have pointed out, they are not. Left in cages for long periods of time, ect. If it comes down to it and they keep bothering you. Tell them that they must be just as bad as you because they have their dogs inside all the time with little to no interaction. Always locked up and probably beaten every day for little harmless things. (I find if you throw the same thing back to them, they will come back with you don't know how I keep my dog and I am a good owner than you can say, that's the same as me.)

Most mushers have their dogs teathered to a post in their yard. The only time they will get exercise or interaction is by feeding, water, or training, but the mushers I know will spend at least 10 to 15 minutes with each dog alone outside. So people better put down the mushers also because they keep their dogs outside too, at least yours insn't teathered like the mushers do.

 

What do you define as an outdoor dog? I've noticed some people say their dog is outdoor dog even though it is indoors some of the day. There are many situations which could be defined as an outdoor dog. One is a dog that allowed to run loose throughout the neighborhood, and another one is a dog that is chained up outside at least some length of time or 24/7, and another is a dog that is loose in an enclosed yard.

I probably generalized a bit too much in my last post. I would estimate that 90% of outdoor dogs do not get enough interaction with their owners or exercise. I will admit some people do care for them properly. My neighbor used to have a lab that was strictly outdoors and he cared for the dog well.

Personally, I don't understand why someone would want to have an outdoor dog. Do people keep dogs outside because of allergies? Because of hair? Because of mud, dirt, etc.? Why get a dog if any of those bother you?

 

What do you define as an outdoor dog?

Personally my dog is let loose in the fenced backyard. Though I think the general consensus is a dog's whose primary residence is outside, whether it's in the neighborhood, backyard, chained, or anywhere not in the house/under a roof/with 4 walls surrounding it.
But, if your dog is loose in the neighborhood/unrestrained otherwise...is it really YOUR dog? o_o; Anyone could pick it up.

I would estimate that 90% of outdoor dogs do not get enough interaction with their owners or exercise. I will admit some people do care for them properly.

If I may ask, what category do I and others like me fall into then?

Why get a dog if any of those bother you?

Because they can keep it outside, yet not be bothered by it in the house, or at least that's my parents' reason. Think about it from an outside dog owner's perspective. If they don't consider it abusive, then there's nothing wrong with it at least in their mind, so they get a dog.

 

I do have to say that I'm sorry your parents feel that way. It must be hard since you would like to have her in the house. I guess I'm lucky my parents realized that I'm so stubborn it wouldn't have been worth the fight to try and keep mine outside, or they would have.

 

I do have to say that I'm sorry your parents feel that way. It must be hard since you would like to have her in the house. I guess I'm lucky my parents realized that I'm so stubborn it wouldn't have been worth the fight to try and keep mine outside, or they would have.

Aughh, you are so lucky. D:<
I'm still trying to convince them though. It's just very hard because, like me, my dad is super stubborn. The insane thing is that all of HIS dogs in Vietnam used to be inside dogs, but now that we're in the states and he and my mom are determined to have a "clean" house, our dog stays outside. ...For now.

 

With your dad being stubborn too it would make it harder. I'm really not sure how you could convince them since everyone is different, maybe saying that almost everyone here keeps their dogs in the house so it's normal, but it is hard to keep the balance between making them mad and them just saying" Okay fine let the dog in". I hope you can either convince them or find your own place soon. But atleast I think she knows she's loved and well taken care of.