We put my dog in the garage with the back door open so she can go from the garage to the back yard thats fenced as she pleases. There is food and water out there. Along with a dog bed, blanket, toys toys and more toys. Also our two cats are outside with her. They love each other and all play nicely and cuddle on the dog bed together. And the first thing I do when i get home is set down what ever I have and let her in and pet her and cuddle with her for awhile.
We ONLY have her out there when we will be gone for more then 5 hours. If we are only going to be gone for a few hours she is left inside with the cats where she has her bed(my bed) the couch tons of water and toys YES she has free roam of the house.
She isn’t kept outside all the time or even half the time. When we are home she has free roam of inside outside as she pleases because she opens our doors and goes outside when she wants and come inside when she wants. She get daily walks and runs and play with me. She sleeps in my bed at night or when she is tired.
Shes a bigger meduim sized dog. She is fixed. She has no desire to dig out or jump the fence. We live far from any busy streets and she is side walk trained(she won’t walk in the road so if she does get out she is car smart) And we live in a nice quite nabor hood where we have never had a problem with dogs or anything else EVER being stolen. Plus out nabor would notice if anyone they didnt know came to our house/yard and tried to take the dog. They would call the cops. And my dog would not let them take her(my friend that she knew very well tried once just to see. She tried food, leash, toys everything you can think of)
SO IS IT CRUEL THAT WE LEAVE HER OUTSIDE WHEN WE ARE GONE FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME?
I live in the Pacific northwest. We also have a heated garage. that is never lower then 65 degrees.
And I’m always home at night so she isnt left outside at night.
May 5th, 2010 - 1:37 am
no of coruse not i have two big outside dogs and they love it outside
dogs love to be able to roam and play outside unless its really hot or cold but you have dog beds and blankets and you sound like a veyr good dog owner so that is most definitely not cruel at all!!!!
(Thats like doggy heaven what you described)
May 5th, 2010 - 1:37 am
If its cold dont keep her out for more than 2 hours
May 5th, 2010 - 1:37 am
no its not,it would be more cruel to keep her in where she cannot relieve herself.
May 5th, 2010 - 1:37 am
it is not cruel unless there is some kind of bad weather happening. but if you provide a covered area for her to be than she will be okay. plus if she doesn’t like to play outside in nice weather she wont want to if there is bad weather.
May 5th, 2010 - 1:37 am
no not at all. Unless its freezing outside, or raining.
May 5th, 2010 - 1:37 am
If you live in a four seasons area or if you need to wear a coat outside, do not leave her outside for 5 hours. She could get frostbite. I live in Ohio and my dog only goes outside to potty (5 minutes, tops) or if I’m letting him run in our field (45 minutes of me outside with him).
The best way to judge it is this: would you stay outside that long? In summer, spring, or autumn weather it probably isn’t a problem. But winter is just cruel to leave a dog out for more than an hour unattended.
May 5th, 2010 - 1:37 am
So your dog is in the garage when you are gone for 5 hours or more – with easy access to the backyard. She has shelter, a bed, food, water, blankets. No – that is not cruel.
May 5th, 2010 - 1:37 am
Well lets put it this way. WHAT IS OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE?
If you live in a area where it is at least 60 degrees during the day and temp doesn’t drop past 40 at night, then no it isn’t cruel.
But if daytime temps don’t go above30 degrees and it is snowing and blowing, YES, it is cruelty, even though he can get in to a garage, he can’t close the door and there is no heat.
May 5th, 2010 - 1:37 am
you sound a very caring and considerate pet owner. my only worry would be dog stealing but if your confident then that should be your decision.
May 5th, 2010 - 1:37 am
I wouldn’t say it’s cruel so long as it’s not stormy/super cold.
May 5th, 2010 - 1:37 am
No it’s not cruel, so long as she has shelter, she probly likes not having to hold her wee in
May 5th, 2010 - 1:37 am
No i definitely dont think it is cruel as long as you have food,water, and shelter for her while you put her outside. It sound like you are doing all that. You should like a great owner with a very happy dog. Keep doing what your doing. According the the SPCA police it is against the law (considered animal cruelty) to leave any of your animals outside for a long period of time without food,water,and shelter. You are fine though as long as you always keep the garage door open, put food and water in the garage, and you even have a bed for her outside and some friends so I think you are doing a wonderful job. But if you live somewhere like in Chicago where it gets really cold it is best to leave her inside. (and the cats). Also if its really hot keep plenty of water.
Good Luck!!!!
♥
-Emily