Who leaves their dog outside for a couple hours while away?
What happened is that yesterday we had to be gone from home for four hours. We checked the weather and no rain so decided to let her just have the time in the backyard. Well, it rained  ok, yes-I feel very, very bad about that. But my neighbor was VERY UPSET. I apologized and apologized that she whinned and cried the whole time we were gone. (chiquita loathes being wet  ) While traveling back home I realized it was raining closer to home and called a friend and had her run over and put chiquita in the house in her crate. Then we got home 45 min. later and dried her off and all was fine.
What I want to know is if your neighbor did this would it horribly upset you? Do you all feel I'm being irresponsible? Do you think it's better to crate her for 4-6 hours rather than leave her in the backyard? |
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| Leaving the dogs out in the yard seems to be a more nice weather regional thing. Since weather in WI is only sheepdog nice for 20 minutes at a time, not something I do, no.
Weather not withstanding, my single biggest fear is that someone will steal the dog. My second biggest fear is that they will stand out there and bark (which mine would do), annoy the neighbors and that they'd call the police (which happened to one of my co-workers, though they were home and it wasn't their dog barking, something the cop who responded thankfully figured out on his own) With shelter and water I think a lot of dogs would prefer it. Certainly over being in a crate. Thing is, it's kind of like raising little kids now as opposed to X number of years ago. The world has changed. What was normal then probably isn't as advisable now. I live rural and a couple of neighbors have dogs that clearly stay out for a few hours and bark the entire time. but they're not right on top of me and I don't mind since I'm a dog person and dogs are dogs. But in many areas dogs are not as well tolerated as they used to be. Never mind the animal rights crusaders who feel that apparently every dog should be sleeping on silk sheets on their own queen sized beds. Some of the more, hm, militant ones have been known to steal outside dogs, often tethered, but not always. They typically don't have much understanding of dogs, but by jove you will raise your dog by their rules or else And there are other reasons people steal dogs as well, including being used to train dogs for dog fighting, or, if purebred, for resale.
It probably depends on the individual dog plus where and how you live. I don't think somebody who leaves the dog out for a few hours is necessarily irresponsible. But if you've upset your neighbors, probably not worth it. Plus she doesn't really sound like she had a great time. Maybe if you tire her out solidly before you leave a nap in a crate might actually seem kind of nice? Kristine |
| I'm not a big advocate for leaving a dog, especially a young one, outside alone for that long. Its amazing what they can find to eat or chew - despite the highest amount of puppy proofing. Sticks, twigs, rocks, mulch chips, all can be a major problem if a pup eats - and will cost you thousands in vet bills. Plus if they are out alone, its difficult to house break as you have no idea when they went, what they did, was it diarreara, no reward for going outside for them, etc.
Another concern I ahve with a young pup is her fear level at that age. Noises, lawn mowers, even kids yelling and loud music can leave a fear inprint that will be a behavior problem down the road. Four hours is a long time in a puppy mind to be without their humans. Maybe later on in life, but for me no puppy should be outside alone unsupervised. |
| Well- I imagine I will be seen as a horrible Mom, however, Max has the run of the place. We live 800 feet back a long lane, with 25 acres around us. In the day, when we are gone, Max can go out side, if he prefers, through his door in the garage. When we get home, we feed him, play, and then he is in the house for the rest of the night. In the morning, he goes to his garage apartment, and that is where he stays during the day.
Max can not be crated. Because of his injury, he has to be able to get up and move around when he feels the need to stretch. And... he poos at random. It just pops out, and he is not even aware. Now-- this is in the summer. In the winter, he always lounges in the mud room in the day. And in the summer, if the weather is hot, he is in the mud room. But, on days when it is nice, he has the option of leaving the garage and lounging on the deck, or under a shade tree. In my opinion, some of this depends on the dog. For years, Max's rountine has been the same. He is an older dog, that is trustworthy. I know the risks, and I can't say that I don't worry about him sometimes when we are gone. But, everyday he is out, when we get home, he is in the same spot. Again, I am sure there are pros and cons to this, and our decision to let him "roam" has not been without thought and discussion. |
| My fear is the same as Kristine's.
I have heard of people stealing dogs. Bert wouldn't even know better, he has tried to leave with the pizza man before. |
As one who has had 2 dogs stolen (together, at the same time), I would advise against it. 
I don't leave ours out either. They would bark, dig, or do other bored-dog activities. All habits I don't want them to make worse than they already are.  |
| Our neighbors across the street have two dogs that they leave out constantly. One is a rottweiler the other is a vizla. Their reason, so they say, that they leave their dogs outside all the time is that if they left them inside, they would destroy the house.
Here are my concerns. Firstly, the dogs are rather tall and they fence that they have is not adequate. They have stumps in the backyard close to the fence that the dogs perch on. I once saw the vizla trying desperately to squeeze through the poorly latched gate. Secondly, the weather here is severe at times. In the summer, since we are right on the Mississippi, it gets really, really humid. It also rains at least, once a week. It is always a hard, fast, long shower, you hardly get warning. In the summer, the temperature reaches to 14-20 below, without factoring in the windchill. We live on an industrial street with semi-trucks constantly going down the street. Since they fencing is bad, I can just imagine what a tangle with the semi would do. Also, I have seen people eyeballing the dogs as they drive past. The owners seem to think that they're dogs are safe and there is no need to worry. However, I could totally see someone stealing those dogs for bait dogs. When I've volunteered at the animal shelter, I've had more people than I could imagine telling me that people have broken into their homes and left their playstations, big screen tv's and simply stolen their dogs. |
| I don't know about where out live, but in NY, any dog left outside has to have insulted shelter and constant water supply. ut my biggest fear would be them getting out and into mischief - or someone liberating them. |
got sheep wrote: As one who has had 2 dogs stolen (together, at the same time), I would advise against it.
I don't leave ours out either. They would bark, dig, or do other bored-dog activities. All habits I don't want them to make worse than they already are. we also had 2 dogs taken. One from our back yard (fenced) White German Shepard). We did get him back! Also my daughter took her dog a gift to her from us. (shutz)sp... took her all the way to Texes. Went to a friends home with her and had a fenced yard, she was gone in just a few min. never seen again. So I have to say no.......... We don't ever leave then and I do check on them if they are out in our yard. It only takes a second to grab one of the 3 or they could take more. |
Me be bad!  All our dogs have been and currently outside dogs when we are gone. The front gate is locked so people would have to climb over. There's also an electric wire there (but not turned on) which also discourages people The dogs have a covered front porch with dog beds, the garage and all the large shrubs in the yard to seek shelter. Lots of water around. They love to run the fence, barking at people walking down the road, but frankly, when I come home, there isn't a dog in sight, no wait I see Glacier and her E-collar in the shrubs. The others are out of sight but not out of hearing.
As for rain storms....I've come home to drenched dogs. My most thunder phobic are cowering in the garage, but generally they don't mind the rain or snow but do appreciate a dog drying off when we get inside. I live rural......well, now semi-rural so the closest house is 200 feet away, that helps with the barking issue and since everyone here has at least two dogs.......who can tell who's dog is barking? If I lived in the city, I suspect the dogs would be indoors. To this day DH hates to leave any dog inside for fear of fire. |
In Australia many people who have pet dogs leave them outside all day and some all night too. This of course depends on the weather but much of Australia is quite temperate. These dogs usually  have a kennel, porch or shed to get out of the rain.
Lots of my neighbours dogs are out all day while they are at work. I can tell they are barkers, but it doesnt worry me really. I'd rather listen to a dog bark than the kids riding their noisy motorbikes up and down my back alley. My experience here in Aus is that there is a big difference in attitudes to crating between the world of dog breeding, agility etc and the world of pet dogs. When I have mentioned crating to my friends they are horrified and say that is cruel and the dog should be outside in the yard. Kind of the opposite to you guys huh?8O Dog stealing happens but is considered pretty unusual from a yard. It does happen but usually makes the news. Lots of people still have cross breeds here. At least they do at my off lead park. A bit of an Aussie tradition to own a "bitser" If the weather is nice my dogs are outside in a paved courtyard area with a shade awining and an insulated kennel. If its too hot or too cold or wet they are inside in the lap of luxury (Rastus likes the sofa). I dont crate them, they have the kitchen/living area gated off. |
SheepieBoss wrote: Me be bad!
All our dogs have been and currently outside dogs when we are gone. The front gate is locked so people would have to climb over. There's also an electric wire there (but not turned on) which also discourages people The dogs have a covered front porch with dog beds, the garage and all the large shrubs in the yard to seek shelter. Lots of water around. They love to run the fence, barking at people walking down the road, but frankly, when I come home, there isn't a dog in sight, no wait I see Glacier and her E-collar in the shrubs. The others are out of sight but not out of hearing. As for rain storms....I've come home to drenched dogs. My most thunder phobic are cowering in the garage, but generally they don't mind the rain or snow but do appreciate a dog drying off when we get inside. I live rural......well, now semi-rural so the closest house is 200 feet away, that helps with the barking issue and since everyone here has at least two dogs.......who can tell who's dog is barking? If I lived in the city, I suspect the dogs would be indoors. To this day DH hates to leave any dog inside for fear of fire. that is funny that you mention fire. That has always been John's reason for not wanting Max inside when we are gone. He has his doggy door in his garage apartment, should he need to get away. We also live VERY rural, and Max never barks. My sister, brother-in-law and their kids are the closest to us, and they live 5 acres across the hay field. I do have to say though, this post has given me reason to ponder... |
| Our dogs are always in when we are gone...
We have mean neighborhood kids
I don't trust people not to open a gate either.. That's just me I have to admit, I get tired of my neighbors dogs barking in their yard all day. They have a doggie door to get in and out but, anytime I am out they are out and barking. |
Yep, ditto to everything Mim said here. We don't usually go anywhere without Bally  but if we're just going out for groceries for a couple of hours, he's an outside boy. He doesn't bark or whine and has plenty of water, a deck and a kennel if he wants it. I'm also very paranoid about him being stolen, but the fences are all padlocked shut and of such a size that it would probably be easier to break him out of the house.... and then they have to find a way to take him back out with them |
| I don't leave them alone outside unsupervised for longer than 5 minutes. I realize that people leave working dogs outside but, realistically, my dogs aren't working, they're pets. I don't want anyone wandering in and getting bit or, worse yet, what if one decides to dig and escapes and gets hurt? I couldn't live with myself knowing it was my fault something happened. It's just not worth it. It's not like they're doing anything outside that they can't do inside just as well. I think the danger far outweighs the benefit.
Donner's Mom wrote: I have to admit, I get tired of my neighbors
dogs barking in their yard all day. They have a doggie door to get in and out but, anytime I am out they are out and barking. Doesn't it make you crazy? As soon as my dogs bark more than a few times, they're in the house. It never ceases to amaze me how inconsiderate people are. Not to mention, I don't understand how people can listen to their own dogs go on and on like that! |
thanks for all the replies  I'm not sure what the best thing is but for sure she'll be in more these days since the neighbor was upset. Today I set up for Chiquita to be evaluated at a doggy day care. Not that we could afford that on any type of a regular basis but for certain occasions that kind of a thing would be fabulous. She'll love the extra association and of course she'll be safe |
| It is really not that expensive to do a couple times a week!
I was going to do it with our pups but, I have cut back to half a day at work so they aren't totally crazy! |
| We never leave Dutch outside when we are gone, and she is never outside by herself at anytime and she has approx. 1/3 of our 2 1/2 acres fenced for her to play in.LOL, but thats because she refuses to leave the door and just stands there crying if I don't go out with her and as I'm not a trusting person that suits me fine |
| Oliver and Lucy are never left outside...they don't even go out unattended-and we have 6 foot privacy fence. I am just too paranoid. |
| I never leave my dogs out if I'm not home, too afraid someone will steal them or the gate will get opened and they'll run off and get hit by a car or something.
They do spend a lot of time outside if it's nice though and if I'm home. Willy and Dancer spend about an hour out together in the morning and evening and then Piper and Panda go out together and spend most of the morning outside and then back out for an hour or so in the evening. As Panda's pregnancy progresses she will have less time outside and only by herself so that she doesn't get running and playing too rough with Piper. For the last week to ten days of her pregnancy Panda will be with me at all times. |
| we do leave panda outside all day in the winter, while we are at work..
she has a dog house, porch, water bowl and lots of shade BUT we also have a 7'0'' block fence with a locked gate (which no one can see thru)...on the other side of the gate is a menacing BEWARE OF DOG sign... we also have security that drives and rides bikes thru our neighborhood 24/7..... |
| I have a doggie door out into a kenneled area. I live so far off the beaten path no one can find me to steal my dogs!
At work the are out in a kennel with a dog house. Today is Langley's first day and he is doing great no barking at all. If it is bad weather I leave Laika at home and Langley goes to daycare usually anyways. |
| We left our Winston out in the kennel during the day when it was nice. DH was in and out of the house all day and knew that he was okay. Winston had shade and shelter, the fence was too tall to get out of or any other animal to get into. He didn't bark and we didn't worry about anyone stealing him because he was a good watchdog and wary of strangers. Also, we're talking about 25 years ago so things are quite different now.
Nelson and Sassy want to be indoors and most of the time. They're never left outdoors alone and are never a nuisance to the neighbors. Sure wish I could say the same about the neighbor's dogs. |
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