Outdoor Dog vs. Indoor Dog

[Aquatic_blue]

One day in the future we want to get a dog, and I see hot debates about dogs that are kept outside, indoor and outdoor dogs, and dogs kept indoors. I suppose I have grown up with the idea of indoor/outdoor dogs that are indoors unless they are exercising/playing outside or going potty.

At the same time, it would be nice if we didn't end up with a dog sleeping in our bed, shedded hair all over the place, pet food and water spills, etc etc. I am guessing having an all outdoor dog must not be inhumane as long as they are built for the climate, have enough food and water, a safe weather proof dog house, and plenty of room to run around in the fenced yard (not chained up) and get plenty of social interaction with people and another dog.

Then there is the other side where people say outdoor dogs are inhumane because they have the idea they are pretty much out in cold, ignored, and poorly fed. I don't think there is much truth to this as long as there is a caring owner, but I could be wrong. It seems most people want their pets indoors with them.

So what is better? Indoor or outdoor dogs?

 

[PirateGirl]

I think it comes down to in part the care and attention you give the dog, the outdoor setup you are able to provide, your local climate/environment, and one other thing that you do not mention is your neighbors. How close your neighbors are, the size of your dog area, how much your dog barks can impact this. I also think training is important if your dog is ever in your house, even if it is mostly outside. You still have to set the rules of a house dog, is the dog allowed on furniture, in all rooms of the house, does it get table scraps, is it permitted to counter surf, etc. Also what is your predator load, is you dog enclosure outdoors safe in all weather with all predators at all times of the year? Just things to think about. I think every person's situation is different and it is possible to make an indoor or outdoor or indoor/outdoor dog work.

 

[cassie]

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.

 

[janiedoe]

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.

 

[FortCluck]

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...

 

[AltonaAcres]

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!!

 

[NHMountainMan]

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.

 

[FortCluck]

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.

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.

 

[pennyJo1960]

As longs as the dog has a double coat our Merrema sleeps on open screen porch so she can patrol the property our old Shepard did we lost her last year yes she is a pet spends part of the day in our computer room at night back on the porch our lab sleeps out there in the milder temps goes below 30 he won't

 

[BigBlueHen53]

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!