Do you leave your dog(s) in your yard when no one is home?

[Rusty_212]

Originally Posted by Lenny

Outside.

[Rusty_212]

Boy, so many of you say you crate or kennel your dogs when your not home. Anyone have their dogs live inside your house with you?
All of our dogs havelived in our house from the moment we got them. Of couse we crate train them as pups, until their house broken. We've had a few instances of chewing and a few accidents, but that's what carpet shampooers are made for.

[Lilie]

Originally Posted by Catu

I have the opposite problem. Diabla is too smart for her own good. There is nothing like a proofed fence for her and I've even considered to electrify the fence.

r

I had an Aussie female who would jump/climb any fence, even our electric fence. She'd scream on her way out...and scream on her way back in.

[gagsd]

Rusty--- I use crates mainly because mine don't all get along. But yes, two stay loose in the lower part of the house, one in the main part of the house, and two in The sunroom with access to the yard.
I like them to get outside time, so breakfast to lunchtime, they stay out in runs. Too hot for all day.

[selzer]

Actually, there is nothing inside my house that my dogs need when I am not inside. So, except those that have a small indoor area, right now Joy and the puppies, they are outside when I am not there.

If I have a class or something, I may leave one inside for a while. Usually not the whole house, I usually put a barrier up and let them have the bedroom, bath and hallway, or the living, dining room, kitchen, and study. It depends on which area has the most problem stuff: ant poison, windows to the front yard -- not safe, kitchen garbage, etc.

I can leave Babs or Jenna or Heidi in without doing a full house lock down. If I let Milla in, I have to hide everything that is not nailed down, the same with Joy.

There is NOTHING in my house that I really care about, that my dogs can do damage to, but there are things they should not eat, and that is why I have more peace of mind when they are in their kennels. The kennels are safe and comfortable. The house may be comfortable, and is less safe.

I almost think that when it is hot like this, they are better off being out all day. With plenty of water and shade, they acclimate to the temperature. As for inside, well, it really is not much better. I have a couple of room air conditioners and they cannot keep up. Then they throw the breaker and it is often worse inside than outside when I get home.

Usually they throw the breaker when the lights go off and then everything tries to start back up at the same time. At least when I am home that is the major cause. The other cause is trying to use the vaccume cleaner when both air conditioners are going.

But it really is less safe for them, and less comfortable in the house. I cannot leave five adult dogs, three yearlings and two puppies run around and hang out on couches -- especially since they are all intact bitches. No, I do not want to come home to the scene of a slasher movie.

Only two of them really seem like they want to scrap, but I really would rather not risk it.

They really do LIKE being outside. They feel very comfortable in the routine. I feel very comfortable with them, particularly when something comes up and I will be late or unable to make it home at all. I know that they can potty, they have water, they have a comfortable place to lie around, and they will be safe until I can get home. And if I have to have someone go and take care of them, like when I had to spend the night in the hospital, I do not have to worry about someone freaking out when all eight of my dogs run to meet them. It is easy for them to give each some food, and they will have enough water until I can get there.

[JazzNScout]

Originally Posted by Rusty_212

Boy, so many of you say you crate or kennel your dogs when your not home. Anyone have their dogs live inside your house with you?
All of our dogs havelived in our house from the moment we got them. Of couse we crate train them as pups, until their house broken. We've had a few instances of chewing and a few accidents, but that's what carpet shampooers are made for.

For years, I had dogs that were fine "home alone." That was what was normal to me. Then came Jasmine. And torn-up books, ruined shoes, trash tipped over, dog food gotten into, my ex's dental stuff chewed up ($$$), and, finally, a nice upholstered chair totally destroyed. I bought every kind of baby gate there is, which were nothing more than entertainment for the escape artist. Jasmine, meet the crate; Crate meet Jasmine Funny thing is she, of all dogs, became so attached to that crate, so possessive of it that she would watch me with an eagle eye if I had to even reach in there to get something. She was finally able to be loose in the house when I wasn't home when she was 8, one year before she died

Kasey, my Aussie mix, cannot be trusted alone in the house. He is a major counter surfer, jumper-on-plantation-shutters, and trash monger.

Scout has always been fine in the house alone. Totally trustworthy. I'm actually surprised he doesn't clean when I'm gone.

Then there is the puppy. Enough said.

[ThorDog]

We only have one GSD now and she can be in the living room alone and she is fine. Our K was kept in a 6x8 kennel in the garage when we were not home. Every dog is with us at any time we are home. We do not leave them in the yard unsupervised. We have one neighbor that will call animal control if our dogs bark twice (I am not kidding - twice) never mind she screams all the time but that's another story! I also don't want to risk anyone throwing bad stuff over the fence, etc... When we are home, we still go out with her in the yard. It is a 40 by 40 yard.

[clearcreekranch]

I used to always have outside dogs. Now we have 2 large dogs inside including my gsd puppy. Never did I think that I would keep dogs this large inside, but now I am wondering why I ever left them outside. They are crated when I am not home. We have a large property with fencing all around, but I take them outside with me and bring them in when I come in. This all began when i adopted the neighbor's dog from animal control after he surrendered him. And oh, yeah, he doesn't particularly like me. They are so much more a part of my family now and I know where they are and what they are getting into at all times.

[Jessiewessie99]

Molly and Tanner are free to roam around the house. They have water and food, and are trained and smart enough not to tear or destroy anything. Of course both take over the couches and beds.

[piercetc]

i do plan to leave our gsd outside some when we arent home- we are on 28 acres - house 800 ft off road with a 3/4 acre 6 ft fenced backyard- our min schnauzer is back there and does fine- when our now 12 week old puppy gets to the point age wise and i know him and his behaviors well enough to feel okay leaving him outside while i grocery shop or whatever , he will be outside unsupervised- he will have water/ food/ toys - a playmate - shade / sun /grass and an igloo doghouse / patios both covered and uncovered- i wont leave him out there until i feel safe doing so - if after much observing i never feel safe leaving him out alone for 2-3 hrs then i wont do it-