Outdoor Dog vs. Indoor Dog

[jeepgirl13]

I had a similar situation once, @NHMountainMan. The older dog, a Collie, got out and was ... actually murdered by a guy in a truck, who was known to have done it before. I didn't even know he was out. The younger, a Golden, grieved terribly. It took him and me both quite some time to get over our loss, but eventually we did both recover. I'm happy to say we went on to have a very close relationship and lived happily ever after for many years afterward. Give yourself and your buddy time to recover and build a new relationship with you. In my opinion, he already has you, and he's liable to feel closer to you than to a new puppy. Once he's adapted to the new status quo, you may both be ready to add a new puppy, but it might be wise to take a little time to heal first.

On the other hand ... if you're both hurting... a puppy might be just what you both need to fill that empty space. But I would still recommend getting just one, not two. Two puppies will distract the snot out of each other, and frustrate the snot out of you. While you are trying to work with one, the other will be crying for it. You're a better trainer than me if you can deal with that!

I got two puppies, sisters, from the same litter. Training has been a BEAR!!

It's exactly as you say. Trying to work with one, the other comes barreling over and distracting the one being trained. So you put that one up in a kennel. Kennel puppy starts crying and barking and trying to get out, further distracting training puppy. Put kennel puppy outside, now shes whining at the door and sister is loosing her mind. Try working them both together, and they feed off each others energy and less gets done than before.

Were going on 3 years now, and were just barely at the point, in this last month, where I trust them with my chickens, and they quiet down around strangers when I tell them no.

I got them while my old dog, an aussie/lab/Pitt mix from a box outside walmart, was still alive. She was the best dog ever. Never bothered any kind of household pet, but would tear up any predator or stray animal caught on the property. She never barked unless something was actually there, wouldn't steal food, get in the trash, get on the furniture. It was a lot of training and time with her, but I only had the one dog, (and no kids at the time). Two of them has been trouble. They're coming along great, it's just a lot more stressful and time consuming, with slower results, than it was with one.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned here, which I feel is SUPER important for anyone getting a dog to consider is grooming and health. Too many people get a dog without considering how much grooming might be involved and potential health issues with the breeds. Flat faced breeds like pugs and shi-tzus have a ton of respiratory and overheating issues because their faces interfere with these process. Cocker spaniels are highly prone to skin allergies. Thicker coated, long haired and double coated dogs like Huskies, samoyed, even bichon and poodles will matt up terribly if not consistently brushed out, which is super painful for the dogs.

But like many others have said, it all depends on what you want the dog for. A household pet or a yard guardian. Go for a mixed dog if you want an all around dog. I personally feel "mutts", or mixed breeds tend to be healthier and smarter than a lot of these purebred dogs.

I've been around a lot of dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds. I worked in a groom shop. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, will tell you quicker what breeds of dog you do and dont want in your life than working at a groom shop.

 

[Aquatic_blue]

A dog views you as part of his pack or him as part of yours. As such he should be a member of your family and have access to the house. I haven't found food and water spills to be much of an issue. You can put a place mat down if needed. There is no reason your dog needs to sleep in your bed. I have two dogs, one small and one smallish medium sized dog. Until recently both dogs slept in my bed, but the larger one sheds a lot and I got tired of washing my bedding. I got her a nice comfy bed which is now in the bedroom beside my bed and to my surprise it wasn't hard to convince her to sleep there rather than with me. There are inexpensive throws available to protect the furniture or you can just teach the dog that the furniture is off limits. If you are getting the dog for a companion, it should be an inside or inside/outdoor dog. If you got the dog for a livestock guardian, then it needs to be outside.

I mention spills because we have kids and they can be clumsy and curious haha. Yeah, it shouldn't be a problem with just the dog eating and drinking. Yes, training definitely helps. I know a lot of people around here have outside watchdogs. It would be useful around here, though. Thanks for your thoughts =)

 

[Aquatic_blue]

We have two boxers ages 9 and 7. We had a wirehaired doxie that died at age 21 back in May. Sob.
Our dogs go in and out as they please through a pet door. We have a large backyard area that is fenced off for night and for when we are not at home, the rest of the time they are free to range the property which is also fenced. My husband is amazing at training. They don't walk through open gates without being invited, they don't get on furniture without invitation, and they sleep in their own beds.
We brush them frequently, outside to keep hair out of the house.
It is still a challenge, as we have a large pond that they love. We sweep and mop frequently. My husband says "no more inside dogs" I say "ok" BUT we both know that's just something we tell ourselves. Our dogs will always be part of the family.

Wow, 21 years old is really something! I am sorry to hear about your loss =(

I can imagine a pond would be messy with dogs that enjoy it =P haha.

 

[Aquatic_blue]

I have four dogs that live in my house... I am someone that will never have an outdoor dog that sleeps outside. If I ever had a dog that was a work dog for the farm, I would let it sleep in the barn or in the house with my other dogs. I have grown up with dogs and we've always had dogs that live in the house, we have never left our dogs outside overnight or even outside for extended periods of time.

I have never dealt with food spills or water spills, but I do put a mat underneath the water bowl because one of our dogs thinks that it's a swimming pool.

A dog needs shelter and warmth, I actually watch the video of a guy who slept in a doghouse when it was winter and you would not believe the temperature that dog houses get to. In the summer they need water and a place where it's nice and cool with shade.

I have never had much house damage with my dogs because they are trained from the day that we bring them home which is usually around 8 weeks.

There's a fifth dog in this picture on the arm of the couch that is black and brown, that is not my dog I was dog sitting...
View attachment 1931930

Cute picture!

Curiosity...do you know where to find that video of the guy sleeping in the dog house? Sounds like an interesting video.

I wonder if there would be some safe ways to warm it up enough in the winter or if it is even worth the trouble. It gets cold in the middle to end of winter, but it is rare to get anything below 20 degrees, but that is still cold for me so it would probably be cold to a dog, too.

 

[Aquatic_blue]

Our dog goes in and out as he pleases. He is a Mini Australian Shepard, so he has lots of energy, and needs a job. He spends 50% of his time outside I would say. We have 5 acres, so he roams around and "explores". He is unusual in that he NEVER strays from our property. A calmer smaller dog might thrive inside. But not mine!!

My husband had an Australian shepherd many years ago so I hear you! It seemed like that dog ran on always sustaining batteries lol.

 

[FortCluck]

Cute picture!

Curiosity...do you know where to find that video of the guy sleeping in the dog house? Sounds like an interesting video.

I wonder if there would be some safe ways to warm it up enough in the winter or if it is even worth the trouble. It gets cold in the middle to end of winter, but it is rare to get anything below 20 degrees, but that is still cold for me so it would probably be cold to a dog, too.

 

[Aquatic_blue]

I’m a big believer that dogs need to be a part of their pack. If their pack is going to be livestock, and their job is guardian- they’ll be fine living amongst their livestock pack. But if you’re talking about a pet and companion dog, and they won’t have an outdoor role, then your family is their pack and they’ll be better off being indoor with you (though they can be outside plenty). In my experience, a dog left outside without a job is a dog that will give himself a job- barking at anything, digging holes etc.
it’s perfectly fine to have rules for an indoor companion dog. Mine have never had human food, never slept on furniture etc. they have their own beds on the floor of our bedroom. But they could have a crate or a place outside your sleeping area.

To me- the question of “why an I getting a dog?” Somewhat dictates how you choose to include him in your pack.

This makes a lot of sense! Thanks =)

 

[Aquatic_blue]

One of my dog sleeps in a kennel at the foot of our bed, two sleep in the bed, and one guards the house...

The one that sleeps in the kennel came to us trained for a kennel at night. The two that sleep in the bed, one of them has always slept in my bed even before my husband came into the picture, the other one snuck her way in and we never kicked her out. The one who guards the house is part Pitbull and absolutely knows that's her job.

Mine are mostly for family companions and nothing more even though my pug can wrangle up a chicken and 2.2 seconds...

We do want to get one that does outside work with our animals, but we are waiting until we have goats and that's what the dog will be with.

I definitely agree with you that a dog that does not have a job, will definitely cause a lot of destruction. some people get work dogs and think that they're going to keep them inside, this is a very bad idea, they will turn your house upside down.

Yes, the work dog part has me thinking. I would not mind a watchdog, which would be great or a dog that watches the chickens, but I don't know how I would even get a dog good with chickens, I assume training a puppy, but even then I'm not sure since they are natural chicken predators.

 

[Aquatic_blue]

As others have said, it depends why you are getting a dog, the breed, the climate, the provisions, etc. If you live in the Arctic and want a sled dog, you don't get a Chihuahua. If you live on the Russian steppes and need a sheep guardian, it probably isn't going to sleep in your bed.

I wanted my Sheltie to share my bed, but when I moved into tick territory - and got married! - those plans changed, lol! She still sleeps in our bedroom, though.

We have neighbors with "outdoor" dogs. I see them running together, sometimes miles from home. Apparently they don't have adequate fences. As others have said, dogs need something to do, or they will find something.

Good luck as you make your decision!

Yes, makes sense. I have always told myself I would never get a husky here in the desert (even though they are so pretty), because I feel those double coats would cause them to be too hot most days of the year. A dog with a short to medium coat would probably be more ideal for us.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Aquatic_blue]

I think Indoor dog/outdoor dog depends entirely on what type of dog you get, where you live and your lifestyle.

We have 2 dogs at the moment. They are large breed dogs - a 5 year old German Shepherd and a 13 year old English Setter. the shepherd is over 110 pounds and the setter is about 60 pounds. We live in the country on 25 acres, most of it old pasture and hay field.

At night, they sleep in the house because I don't like them barking all night while I am trying to sleep. Recently we have been locking them in their kennels at night because the old dog has taken to peeing in the house during the night.
First thing in the morning, they go outside to potty. Then they come in and spend an hour or so with us as we all have breakfast.

They have a 1/4 acre fenced yard that they are in all day while we are at work. They have a "doghouse". The garden shed was the hired hands house back when the farm was built, and the doghouse is the front room of the little 3 room building. They have dog beds in there to sleep on with a flap dog door that lets them have free access to the yard.

They come inside for the evening and to eat supper. They go outside to potty right before bedtime.

The dogs get to spend time with us as we are doing chores on the property; both after work and on weekends. The Shepherd will tell you that is cruel and inhumane to make him stay in the house any longer than he has to in the morning. Basically, as soon as his breakfast is done, he wants out. The setter just wants to sleep in the house all day, lol.

True, barking all night isn't awesome. I am not sure if I would be bothered since there are dogs barking a lot of the time. I am used to it. If it were my dog, though, I might wonder if something was wrong every few minutes and not sleep. Good point!

Thankfully we have a good fence. We are considered in city, but it doesn't feel that way since a lot of homes in the area have been demolished. I am home all day with the kids so I will probably be the one taking care of the dog so I will probably want to wait until the kids are a bit older.