Help me with dogs

[Lux Et Veritas Academy]

Ok My kids really want a dog. Can a dog live outside? We live in NH so we are 5 months of cold. Do I have to buy a heated dog house? Really is that even an option. I can't have one in the house. What are my options?

[Perry]

My dogs are part of the family. I would never get a dog if it couldn't live in the house.

[Jenny in Florida]

Personally, I would not take in a dog if I knew from the beginning it would live outside full time, especially in a place with months of cold weather.

 

Dogs like their people and want to be with them. While a dog would certainly survive outside, especially with a heated dog house, I can't imagine that would be fulfilling for either the dog or your family.

 

If it were me, I'd be looking at other kinds of pets that I could have in the house.

 

Here are a few things I found online about this issue:

http://www.chathamanimalrescue.org/outsidedog.shtml

http://www.franklincountyohio.gov/commissioners/ancl/programs/OutsideDogs.cfm

http://www.drdog.com/philosophy.htm

http://www.northwoodshumanesociety.org/OutsideDog.html

Edited April 24, 2009 by Jenny in Florida

[sleepy]

Ok My kids really want a dog. Can a dog live outside? We live in NH so we are 5 months of cold. Do I have to buy a heated dog house? Really is that even an option. I can't have one in the house. What are my options?

 

In that case, my advice would be: don't get a dog.

[Janet in WA]

Unless you are "outside people" and would spend many hours each day outside with your dog (including throughout the NH winters), I wouldn't bother having an outside dog. I don't see the point, really, from either the dog's perspective or yours.

 

It sounds to me as if you aren't really interested in having a dog as a pet yourself. Personally, unless at least one of the parents really wants a dog, and is willing to give the dog companionship and care when the new wears off for the kids (and it will), I wouldn't bother adopting one.

Edited April 24, 2009 by Janet in WA

[MrsMe]

My dogs are part of the family. I would never get a dog if it couldn't live in the house.

 

 

:iagree:

[KJB]

Reality isn't the same beast as the romantic notion of Spot playing ball.

 

Getting a dog "for the kids" is a misnomer. You have to get the dog for you.

 

Right now, evaluate how excited they're going to be about Fido when it's below freezing and they have to pick up the yard. Or worse, the spring melt clean up, which tends to be chock full of surprises.

 

Dogs can be expensive, messy, destructive, loud, dangerous, and a nuisance. An "outside" dog usually gets little attention or training which intensifies the above negatives. Even a well trained dog is a big responsibility and burden.

 

They don't really want a dog. They don't know what it really is to have one. You do know. Don't get caught up in the dream. You don't sound as if you really want one. Just say no. They can have a dog when they have their own place.

 

(And I love dogs, ftr.)

[Pamela H in Texas]

I wouldn't get a dog if I were you. First, you don't get a dog that YOU don't want and want to take care of. Even if the kids help or even do the work, YOU are the one responsible for it. Second, dogs are pack animals. They are social. Would YOU want to live outside by yourself much of the time? Of course not. And outside dogs are notorious for having more behavioral issues because they don't have the socialization and attention that inside dogs do. Think how poorly your kids would behave if you only played with them or trained them an hour or so per day.

 

Anyway....I'd skip the dog. Is there an inside animal that would be more appropriate for y'all? A cat or bird or guinea pig or reptile maybe?

[KidsHappen]

I'll just ditto what everyone else said.

[Jenny in Florida]

Getting a dog "for the kids" is a misnomer. You have to get the dog for you.

 

You don't sound as if you really want one. Just say no. They can have a dog when they have their own place.

 

I agree with all of this, too.

 

It's common enough to be a cliche: The dog you get for the kids will end up being taken care of by Mom.

 

And there are already too many dogs who get relegated to the outside when the owners who didn't know how much work a dog is get tired of trying to teach the dog appropriate inside behavior.

 

I can't imagine it working out well when Mom doesn't want one to begin with the the assumption from the beginning is that it will live outside.

 

Kids do get over being told no, even when it's about something they really want. We've found the key is to be kind but firm, then say no and mean it.

[sagira]

Reality isn't the same beast as the romantic notion of Spot playing ball.

 

Getting a dog "for the kids" is a misnomer. You have to get the dog for you.

 

Right now, evaluate how excited they're going to be about Fido when it's below freezing and they have to pick up the yard. Or worse, the spring melt clean up, which tends to be chock full of surprises.

 

Dogs can be expensive, messy, destructive, loud, dangerous, and a nuisance. An "outside" dog usually gets little attention or training which intensifies the above negatives. Even a well trained dog is a big responsibility and burden.

 

They don't really want a dog. They don't know what it really is to have one. You do know. Don't get caught up in the dream. You don't sound as if you really want one. Just say no. They can have a dog when they have their own place.

 

(And I love dogs, ftr.)

 

Amen. I love dogs too, and I want a dog. I know the dog will be my responsibility, whether I want to or not (like I said, I want to, and I'm fully prepared to assume that responsibility). That said, I want to say that can be very rewarding to have a dog -- in your home. If you're ready and willing to open your heart and your mind to having a dog in your life, it can be a wonderful experience for the whole family.

 

Notice the ifs.

 

Dogs are pack animals. They get very lonely outside by themselves. They want to be with you, they are primed to bond with the family. Not being part of the family hurts. They share this trait with us, hence their popularity. If you're concerned about mess and dirt, and you're prepared to handle a dog, research carefully for the size and breed of dog, and train, train, train your dog.

 

Good luck deciding what's best for your family. Sounds like a cat or a fish would be more your style right now from what I gather.

Edited April 24, 2009 by sagira

[Rose in BC]

My dogs are part of the family. I would never get a dog if it couldn't live in the house.

 

:iagree:

[SonshineLearner]

I think that dogs outside are fine, if you're in the country...and you can train it to stay on your property. I'd get two so they have some companionship.

In the city, it's fine to get a dog for outside, as long as you sleep with it:-) My dog would stay outside and bark and cry and get loose....and just be ready to be dead...if he were outside.... What is there to do in a place with fences and no people...and no other dogs...(and even with a friend..in the city...they just get into trouble together...) It's like a gerbil in a ball.....sad....

Carrie

[Peggy in Va]

:iagree:With everything everyone else said. I have two dogs, one is mine and the other is my dss. Oh wait, I was about to go back and correct my grammar, but it is correct. "I" have two dogs.:)

 

You did not mention, nor did anyone ask, is the reason you can't have a dog in the house due to allergies? There are certain breeds that are supposed to be "hypoallergenic". However, even if that is the case, and you decided to get one, they are still a lot of work and you need to be prepared for that. Not to mention, depending on how old your dc are, the dog may be with you after they are gone.

[Remudamom]

Even our outside dogs come in occasionally. But most of the time they are outside. They have the run of the ranch, but they generally stay in our yard or barnyard. They like to sit by the windows/sliding doors so they can keep an eye on us when we're inside.

 

We are outside a lot, even in the winter. Bad weather I let them in the garage. I wouldn't get a dog that was going to be penned up in a back yard, that's sad.

[OHGrandma]

I pretty much agree with all above.

A dog can live outside, but they are seldom "pets". Our farm dogs are outside all day long(unless it's extremely bad) and we let them sleep indoors; they're friendly companions, but they're not real "pets". We got a Sheltie for our grandson, the Sheltie goes where our grandson goes, he's a real pet. There is a huge difference.

[Riverfront Headmistress]

Don't get a dog. It sounds like you don't want one because you are already planning for the dog to be outside. Who cares if the kids want a dog? My kids would like an elephant and that isn't happening.

[mom4him]

Ok My kids really want a dog. Can a dog live outside? We live in NH so we are 5 months of cold. Do I have to buy a heated dog house? Really is that even an option. I can't have one in the house. What are my options?

Can you explain why you don't want the dog in the house. Is it because of allergies? If so there are dogs that you would still be able to get.

If it is because you don't want an animal in the house then I would not get a dog.

Dogs are wonderful companion with very unique personalities. Unless you are going to spend a considerable amount of time outside on a daily basis(farmer/ranchers), most wouldn't do well in that enviroment.

[katemary63]

I agree with pretty much everything others have said.

 

And then...I have 4 outside dogs who never come in. Two are rescues. They were stray dogs, emaciated, lost and homeless when we got them. They now live together in a dog kennel. We had them altered, wormed and gave them vaccinations. They spend some time on a cable in the yard so they can run and also get taken on a couple of walks on the farm during the week.

 

"Lucky" goes to obedience class with DD8 during the summer and is shown in the dog show at the county fair. DD8 has won Peewee high point with her 3 years in a row! See her and DD8 here: (scroll down to dog show)

 

http://harmonpfarms.blogspot.com/search/label/4-H%20Activites

 

"Miller" was near death when he showed up on our doorstep. Read his story here:

 

http://harmonpfarms.blogspot.com/2009/03/you-know-i-cant-resist-chocolate.html

 

These two dogs are NOT as happy as they would be if they lived in the house with us. But they are sure happier then if they were dead on the side of the road. So...everything is relative. We love them and they love us and we think we are giving them a good life.

 

I agree there is no good reason to get a puppy and then just leave it outside in a kennel alone. But I would take in a stray ( or two) that had no quality of life and give it a better one, even if that meant they didn't come in the house.

 

We do have another rescue dog who lives in the house, but he only weighs 4 lbs. so we pretend he's a cat and I don't think DH has noticed yet! LOL see him here:

 

http://harmonpfarms.blogspot.com/2007/12/maximum-minimum.html

 

My other 2 outside dogs are livestock guardian dogs. Anatolian Shepherd X Great Pyrenese. They live in the goat pen and spend their days out on the pasture with their charges. They are VERY happy dogs, doing what they were bred and born to do. We love them too and they love us, they are very affectionate, but when we leave the barnyard, they are fine with that - great, great, dogs! See them here:

 

http://harmonpfarms.blogspot.com/2008/08/puppies.html

 

If I were you, I would not get a dog unless YOU LOVE DOGS. Don't do it just for the kids UNLESS you feel that one of your kids is SO animal oriented that they would be responsible and not loose interest. I have a child like that, so it can happen. DD8 has had 75% of the responsiblility for her dog since she was age 4. Now, she has 100% and she doesn't whine or complain. She loves her dog ( Lucky) and takes good care of her without mom having to intervene at all. In that sort of case, I would feel right in getting the kid a dog of his/ her own. Some kids, ( I was one) just HAVE to have animals. One way to tell is if that child is constantly talking about animals/ dogs, drawing pictures, reading books, collecting plastic animals, and is just consumed with them. By the time I was 10, I had read EVERY SINGLE BOOK in my library about dogs, horses and many of the other types of animals. ( never cats - LOL, not a cat person!) My parents had NO CHOICE but to get me pets because I would have been a miserable child and made them miserable with my misery if they had not. If you have a kid like THAT - then I say - Get him/ her a dog! But in that case, you won't have to worry about the dog's quality of life - it will be fine. JMH 2 cents.

Edited April 24, 2009 by katemary63

[snickelfritz]

But, they had the run of a large acreage. They were also victim of skunk sprays, thistles, and other unpleasantness. But, they were sort of working guard dogs and had, I think, a pleasant farm lifestyle.

 

In the city, it's hard to have an outside dog. They bark and annoy the neighbors at night. They bark and annoy the baby sleeping during the day. They dig out.

 

We have a new puppy and I can just attest that it is mom who ends up with the work.

 

She's mostly an indoor dog, but the potty training is the most minor of our issues. Within 3 weeks of having her, we've already spent $500 unexpectedly (not including routine shots and care), because she was having stomach issues. We're also working through her mouthing and nipping. So, right now the kids are on only closely monitored visitation rights.:D Mom is doing individual training sessions, feeding (having to mix up special feed and add medicine), playtime, and the monitored child visitation. We have to keep up all that playtime and visitation because these early weeks are crucial for her socialization. I'm taking her to obedience classes and I'm also checking into a behavioral specialist to come into our home once or twice to help with the dog's interactions with the kids.

 

It sounds like a lot of trouble, but she is very intelligent. The vet gave us a positive review of her personality and termed her as very non-agressive. So, I think she's just a dog. Great potential, but she is a dog. And none of this would work if it was just dh involved. He's just not home all day to do the things that I'm doing with her.

[jensway]

Adding my vote for not getting a dog. Maybe you and your children could volunteer at the local shelter. My son has been going to classes at the SPCA and as soon as he turns 12 he can volunteer with a parent present. As a volunteer he will get to play with the dogs as well as feed and clean up after them. :001_smile:

 

We have a dog of our own that is just like family. He sleeps with DS in his room on his bed with him. "Rocky" is much more than just a dog, he is my son's best buddy. :D

 

There is a quote that goes like this:

Dogs are just children that eat off the floor.