Outside Puppy

[Quickasyoucan]

We plan to bring a puppy home in late spring when the weather starts to warm up, and have some questions regarding leaving the puppy outside.

The plan is to have an outside dog, so the first question is, do we let the puppy sleep outside from the first night we bring him home or should we put him somewhere a little more secure like a locked laundry? If we house him in the laundry to start with, will it be more difficult to transition him outside later?

If we put him outside from day one, should we leave his crate unlocked overnight so he can do his business or will he wander all over the yard and not be able to find his way back? He will gets lots of attention and play from the family during the day, but will be on his own overnight.

If you want an outside dog then have him sleep outside from night 1.

DOL represents only a small minority of dog owners...passionate ones. Outside of dol (in the real world) you will find more people have outside dogs rather than inside dogs.

Obviously the dog will have suitable housing ie kennel and a coat for winter etc etc.

Yeah but you are missing the point, the OP was very interested in getting an SBT. Several breeders came on here (and I agree with them) and said that was the wrong kind of dog to live outside, if you wanted a happy, healthy, non-destructive stafford.

[Aziah]

But why would you go against the knowledgable advise of breeders who deal with the interested breed Spotty?

[redarachnid]

Pound dogs are not second class citizens and I object to the implication that they deserve a lesser life.

WTF???? I'm outta here. The inmates are running the asylum.

[Quickasyoucan]

Pound dogs are not second class citizens and I object to the implication that they deserve a lesser life.

WTF???? I'm outta here. The inmates are running the asylum.

No it was just that the person basically was saying get a pound dog they would be happy for anything you could give them.

Any dog deserves a good life as far as Iam concerned, that was my point, wasn't being anti-purebred far from it.

[Spot.]

But why would you go against the knowledgable advice of breeders who deal with the interested breed Spotty?

Not. everyone. wants. an. inside. dog.

[poodlefan]

But why would you go against the knowledgable advice of breeders who deal with the interested breed Spotty?

Not. everyone. wants. an. inside. dog.

And what people want is, of course, far more important than what many dogs need. :wink:

Why buy a people focussed breed and then keep it away from people? :p If you want a dog that doesn't want to be with you 24/7 there are breeds to suit that.

[Incavale]

the wabbit forum's looking good :p

www.rabbitsonline.net

[Spot.]

And what people want is, of course, far more important than what many dogs need. :wink:

Exactly

Why buy a people focussed breed and then keep it away from people? :p If you want a dog that doesn't want to be with you 24/7 there are breeds to suit that.

ooo what breeds?

Over exaggeration much? The dog won't be kept away from people and locked in a cage (I hope). Anyway plenty of breeds, including staffords ;) live happily outside

[sluggo]

Does your back door (or whichever door leads the backyard) go onto tiles or carpet into the house?

There is timber decking outside the door which leads straight onto 'brand new' carpet.

So there's no capacity for having the door door go through the kitchen or laundry??

I'd suggest a piece of marine carpet or a anti dirt mat (Clark Rubber has plenty of types) on the outside of the dog door might keep the dirt off. I'd also add a mat on the carpet.

If we do go down the doggy door path it will be in the laundry, and there is concrete on both sides of that door. The doggy door would only be used overnight for the dog to relieve itself outside. However we never use that door, we always use the back door leading to the deck/pergola and then the yard. This is the door that the potential dog will more than likely use on a regular basis throughout the day.

My issue with pets in the house is the shedding of hair, dirt they carry in and that general pet smell. I know people will comment that a dog is as clean as its owner allows it to be, but i know from experience that no amount of grooming/washing will eliminate these issues. I recently stayed at a friends place who keeps a great dane indoors, and she had the whole house steam cleaned prior to our arrival, but the minute i sat on her lounge i got a whiff of doggy smell. My eldest daughter and i suffer from mild allergies to dust etc, so i'm i bit worried about pet hair. I'm a bit obsessive compulsive when it comes to cleanliness, especially personal hygiene for the kids, so the thought of having a dog inside sends shivers up my spine.... i will however state again that i totally understand why people choose to keep pets indoors , i just haven't got my head around the concept as yet, hence the reason for thorough research and plenty of family chats.

[Quickasyoucan]

Does your back door (or whichever door leads the backyard) go onto tiles or carpet into the house?

There is timber decking outside the door which leads straight onto 'brand new' carpet.

So there's no capacity for having the door door go through the kitchen or laundry??

I'd suggest a piece of marine carpet or a anti dirt mat (Clark Rubber has plenty of types) on the outside of the dog door might keep the dirt off. I'd also add a mat on the carpet.

If we do go down the doggy door path it will be in the laundry, and there is concrete on both sides of that door. The doggy door would only be used overnight for the dog to relieve itself outside. However we never use that door, we always use the back door leading to the deck/pergola and then the yard. This is the door that the potential dog will more than likely use on a regular basis throughout the day.

My issue with pets in the house is the shedding of hair, dirt they carry in and that general pet smell. I know people will comment that a dog is as clean as its owner allows it to be, but i know from experience that no amount of grooming/washing will eliminate these issues. I recently stayed at a friends place who keeps a great dane indoors, and she had the whole house steam cleaned prior to our arrival, but the minute i sat on her lounge i got a whiff of doggy smell. My eldest daughter and i suffer from mild allergies to dust etc, so i'm i bit worried about pet hair. I'm a bit obsessive compulsive when it comes to cleanliness, especially personal hygiene for the kids, so the thought of having a dog inside sends shivers up my spine.... i will however state again that i totally understand why people choose to keep pets indoors , i just haven't got my head around the concept as yet, hence the reason for thorough research and plenty of family chats.

I don't mean to be rude here, and sorry if it comes across as such, but if smell and hygiene worry you do you think that a dog is the right thing for you to get? You will after all have to pick up poo wherever it lives, staffords will want to be cuddled, they will jump up, they will mouth you, they would crawl inside your skin if they could. If you don't like the idea of getting dirty (and not everyone does so not criticising) maybe a dog is not the best idea. From my experience owning a dog and particularly a pup can be a pretty messy business wherever it lives and it will shed hair on you and your clothes regardless of where it lives. I would also be checking out your allergies as the last thing you want to do is get a dog and then have to rehome it if it sends your allergies of the ricter scale.

Having said that, when I got my dog I was pretty obssesively clean, first few days I washed my hands every time he touched me. Soon dropped that habit and now I am still as healthy and muddling around in a less sterile environment :p

Actually kids that are raised with animals statistically have less allergies, or at least that is what I heard.

I am from Europe originally and the culture as PF says is dogs inside unless they are workers. A lot of people in many countries (Germany, Finland) live with large dogs in very small apartments. Australia with dogs outside was a big shock to my system.

I am glad you are doing your research though.

Edited July 9, 2009 by Quickasyoucan

[Miranda]

I am from Europe originally and the culture as PF says is dogs inside unless they are workers. A lot of people in many countries (Germany, Finland) live with large dogs in very small apartments. Australia with dogs outside was a big shock to my system.

I'm from the U.K. and have the same view, 'dogs outside' is something I'd never experienced before I came to this country. I've lived my entire life with inside dogs and I currently have five. I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Crisovar]

I'm at work by 7.30am :p

OK so where do all of the hours of outdoor fun fit into your busy life? Certainly don't fit into mine.

Di

Everybody is different, I can make time to do what I want to do, not everyone is able to do this that is true I can take time during the day to do things I need to do, but by the same token at busy times I do it all in the dark.

If I wasn't able to do that I wouldn't have the animals, that is my choice to live the way I do.

Some people are able to make the time. You choose to make the time for your animals that is your choice, Many choose not to because they won't get out of bed to do the early walks or the late nights, they choose that, it can be done but many people are too soft and enjoy to sleep till the sun is up and not go outside when the weather isn't ideal, they in a lot of cases are the soft ones. I know people who work 9 - 4, 5 mins from home who cannot walk their dog because they don't get up before 8 and socialise after work, they don't make an effort for their dog, they shouldn't have a dog be it inside or outside.

Because I can and do make time for the animals and I know others who do the same I don't believe that it is right to generalise and say that an outside dog will be deprived of human company and lonely.

Not everyone who has outside dogs works all day or hides away in the house. Not all children spend the afternoons after school inside.

We still do outdoor activities at night, if my dogs were outside dogs they would be involved with us at night and my OH and I are both able to be at home often during the day.

My sons dog is outside he still gets lots of interaction during the day and at night, every situation is different.

[sluggo]

If you do let your dog inside, it is easy enough to train you dog to then sit on a mat or bed or in a crate near the family, and they can quietly be with you to enjoy your company. My dogs are not allowed on my furniture or in my bedrooms (let alone on the bed). You can set whatever rules you are happy with, as long as you and ALL your family members are working together and are 100% consistent. The dog can then be part of the family, but not rule the roost. baby gates are fantastic for the early training periods and even to keep the dog in/out of certain areas when it is older.

We live in a very small house with a very large yard. The bedrooms and kitchen will definitely be off limits, that leaves the laundry (where he may potentially be housed) and the family room which measures 20m2. That means 2 adults, 3 children and a dog in quite a small room...

If we do come to a decision to have an inside dog, then we will more than likely go for something like a whippet given the age of our children.

[poodlefan]

If we do come to a decision to have an inside dog, then we will more than likely go for something like a whippet given the age of our children.

How old are your children? Young Whippets run and play with great speed and vigour. They can knock very young kids flying. I'm not saying that a Whippet wouldn't work out but there'd probably be a few teething issues.

How do your kids feel about dogs - do they know many?

[Incavale]

So a non allergenic dog might be the go, if you do get a dog.

Poodle or lagotto are 2 breeds that fit the bill.

[Kavik]

Hate to break it to you but owning dogs is DIRTY business :p Especially with all this rain we've been having! I'm quite muddy after training and walking the dogs.

[ellz]

So a non allergenic dog might be the go, if you do get a dog.

Poodle or lagotto are 2 breeds that fit the bill.

Not for "outdoor" dogs they wouldn't. A coated dog + outdoors = grooming disaster and a heck of a lot more work for the OP than ANY indoor dog could generate.

And remember, there is essentially no such thing as a non-allergenic dog. It would depend what the sufferers allergy is. If the OP and child have a dust allergy then it is more than possible they would have issues with skin flakes and that is something that every dog sheds.

[Kyra]

My issue with pets in the house is the shedding of hair, dirt they carry in and that general pet smell.

I have 4 dogs who come and go as they please, our carpets get professionally cleaned every 3 months, floors are mopped every second day, scented candles get burned every night and you can still notice dogs are allowed inside. There's not one outfit we wear that doesn't have some dog hair on it and there's nearly always stray dog hairs all over the house, there's dirty doggy footprints all over my glass back doors every 2-3 days & i'm sure theres more. :p

There's no way you're gonna have a perfectly clean house with a dog around, but we wouldn't have it any other way, these are things you have to deal with when you decide to get a pet.

If some pet hair and a bit of doggy smell is gunna be the end of the world at your place, a dog definitely isn't a good idea.

[Red Fox]

Hate to break it to you but owning dogs is DIRTY business :p Especially with all this rain we've been having! I'm quite muddy after training and walking the dogs.

Yep, Hubby decided to let me sleep in yesterday. He fed the dog breakfast, took him outside to pee and brought him back to bed for a nap before leaving for work. Unfortunately he forgot to wipe Kei's feet before he jumped back in bed with me.... woke up to a bed full of mud sheets in the wash for the 3rd time in a week.

You can have a clean house and a dog, but it's a lot of work. I vacuum and mop and dust 4-5 times per week, I need to wash the dogs bedding at least once per week, I wash his Chilly coat sweaters (which he sleeps in) every 2nd day.... I clean up mud constantly ;) Then there's an hour a day of exercise and training -from which we both come home cold and muddy.

My dog is inside 90% of the time and he's kept very clean. An outside dog might not dirty your house as much, but it will be so excited to see you when you do come outside that you'll end up covered in mud anyway.

[Danois]

I recently stayed at a friends place who keeps a great dane indoors, and she had the whole house steam cleaned prior to our arrival, but the minute i sat on her lounge i got a whiff of doggy smell.

Interesting - danes don't get that doggy smell. I used to bath my last dane every 3 months or so - but it was never because he smelt.