Indoors? Outdoors? When?

[dianefbarfield]

Lizzie is in the house if we are home, or in the outdoor kennel which is in the shade and padlocked. We have lots and lots of stolen dogs in this area. I don't think anyone would get close to her but you never know. If they threw food in the pen she would eat it and poisonings are also a problem. If we are gone she is crated and one of us makes sure she is never there for long. Sometimes I have to use the outdoor kennel just so I can get the floors clean from all of the German Shedder hair! She does not like it. We don't have a fenced yard, just very private surrounded by dense hedges and planting. She knows the limits of the year and has great recall. Just use good judgement and base it on your dog's needs and personality. GSD's are "elmer" dogs, stuck like glue and don't want to be separated.

[sit,stay]

My dogs go out off and on during the day, but they never go out unless someone is home to supervise them.

I don't worry so much about someone stealing one, but I do worry about them getting out and running the neighborhood, or barking and bothering people that way. I feel that we are responsible for monitoring the behavior, and stepping in and stopping a behavior before it becomes a nuisance to anyone else. Can't do that if nobody is home to supervise, so the dogs are inside when we aren't home. I still have to crate one of my three, but the other two have access to most of the house.

At night the dogs are inside, too. I can't imagine any of my dogs putting up with being left out in the yard during the night!
Sheilah

[Wolfiesmom]

Wolfie mostly does what I do. If I am inside, he is in and if I go outside so does Wolfie. I do put him outside in the yard for an hour a day, usually at supper time. I watch him from inside the house. After we eat, I bring him in again.

[Rerun]

For the most part, we let ours decide. I am home during the day now, SO works nights. So we are lucky in that there is pretty much always someone home unless we go out together.

Kodi is still on hip rehab, so he's stuck inside 24/7 unless on a leashed potty break (poor guy). Usually he chooses to be outside, however.

Micah prefers to be outside when allowed. The girls can't be together, so they split their time between the house and the yard. They are happy to be in or out if the weather is nice. If it's crappy, they are both in but seperated.

[IllinoisNative]

My dog is where I am. Of course it's probably because I don't have a fence.

But I have family members and friends who do have fences and I visit them with my dogs. I recently went to my sister's house and brought my two dogs to play with her two dogs. Everyone and the dogs were outside together. I went inside to use the bathroom. Anyone want to guess where my Shepherd was?

At the door whining to get to me. He didn't care about the other dogs/people. He wanted me. I don't think he'd do well outside by himself...or without me. Heh. He doesn't seem to enjoy it. And, truth be told, I love it!

He's the best dog I've ever had that is fan-freaking-tastic off leash. I can take this dog anywhere. I did such a good job with him...lol. My other non-GS is another story. The other one doesn't give a rat's patootie what I want. He's great with other people/dogs but couldn't care less about pleasing me. It's probably the chow in him.

[iceblulady]

Nero is always in the house. He goes out when he has to do his business. Sometimes he does hang out under the tree for shade or near the porch. Usually I go out with him when the sun goes down and play ball with him.
He really does not like the sun at all. Even as a puppy he was like, no way that sun is to much. You have to train me in the shade. If I took him out front in the yard he would run to the door and stand behind one of the columns.

[Josiebear]

Josie is an indoor dog. She goes outside under supervision i don't leave her out unattended.