For this post I'd like to talk a little bit about Animal Shelters. They do some great work, rescuing dogs and cats and finding them new homes, many even offering to help owners spay and neuter their pets.
But, there is so much that they don't do.
While animal shelters are good intentioned, I think they do many pets a disservice in many situations. The biggest example is their refusal to approve an adoption when a potential owner says the dog will spend a certain amount of time outdoors. It is not uncommon for this to be the case.
One example is a story about how our local shelter refused to let a man take one of their Rottweilers because he informed them that while he was at work during the day, he planned to tie the dog to a run he had attached between the house and the garage. He would leave the door open for the dog to enter the garage and then when he returned home from work, he would bring the dog inside. The shelter told him they couldn't allow that, and refused to give him the dog. My Step-Grandmother knew the man and said he was very nice and would have given a dog a good home.
But the people who are supposed to care about these dogs, denied one a perfectly good home because of a twisted view in their heads. This is only one of many stories like it. It makes you wonder if the dogs who could have had good homes were actually adopted, or killed because the Shelter didn't want them outside.
Now, personally, I believe tying a dog outside to a house should be a last resort. It is a fact that they are happier indoors with their humans, because they are pack animals. God created them to be with people. However, if I were given the choice between killing a dog and tying him outside...well, I'd choose the latter.
Shelters should instead educate people on how to properly care for a dog that is outside. If an owner wants to keep a dog outside for a stupid reason (such as, "oh I want a dog but I don't want to clean up after it/deal with hair", or "I don't believe animals should step toe in a house"), then I can see not wanting to give one to them. But I do believe shelters shouldn't be so picky about who adopts a dog. There are some dogs who are ok with being outside. I know someone who had a dog that preferred her doghouse to the actual house.
Shelters would be better off telling people that if they choose to adopt a dog to put outside, they must be responsible, and follow certain requirements (shelter staff checking up on these dogs they have adopted out to be outside pets can ease workers minds and ensure these animals are not being mistreated). Telling them how to build proper dog houses that can withstand cold, making them understand that outdoor dogs must be exercised daily, will get more dogs homes. Which means lives saved and families with wonderful pets. :)
And since we're on the subject, I'll list the tips for keeping an outside dog:
1. Make sure you have a suitable doghouse.
Determining whether a dog house is good enough will depend on the size and breed of your dog, and what your weather is normally like. Finding instructions on how to build one online is fairly easy.(Building your own house is far better-and I'm pretty sure less expensive-than buying one.) Make sure the house is insulated and your dog can't get to the insulation to chew. The roof should be shingled to minimize leaks. Your dog should be able to stand up in the house and turn around, but it needs to be just right so the dog's body heat won't escape and will be used to keep it warm. Be sure the house is propped up on cement blocks so the bottom doesn't get wet and rot. The lid should be removable for easy cleaning and make inside repairs easier. The opening for the door should be covered up by a piece of rubber, a carpet or piece of blanket to keep out cold air and rain. Cut off a corner or make a slit in the center so your dog can peer out and it makes access easier. (my dog won't keep a flap on his house unless there is a slit so he can look out) The doghouse should be filled with hay, sheets/blankets, and/or a waterproof dog pillow. The weather and your dog's preferences will let you know what to put inside. :) Note: plastic igloo doghouses are not warm enough, so please don't get one of those.
2. Yard location;
Put the doghouse in a flat (if you can) spot in your yard. Make sure he isn't near anything too dangerous and try not to place him too far away from his people. Make sure he has shade to escape the heat. If you don't have any, build him a lean-to or something of that sort to lie under.
3. Restraints
If your dog is not strong enough to break it, a dog run/clothesline is best because it doesn't tangle. There are some dogs though who are just too strong, so a chain and stake may be your only option. Try to give your dog as much space as possible. You can have stores cut you some chain to your specific length and thickness. I find those types of chains are less likely to knot themselves. You can also keep your dog behind chain link fence, but again, try to connect several fences together to make a decent area. When I see dogs kept in tiny kennels all day, it makes me feel sad. (think of it in terms of you being shut in your bedroom all day long with nothing to do....not fun is it?) Leather collars work great for tie-out dogs. They last a long time and are very sturdy. The best option of all would be to fence in the whole yard with a doghouse in the corner.
4. Exercise.
Outside dogs need just as much-probably more-exercise as indoor ones do. Be sure your dog is off of his chain every day, and not just for a few minutes. Take him for long walks/jogs, let him run around the yard, and play with toys. Train him so he can be included in activities like inside dogs, and set up a routine to stick to. The reason outside dogs bark constantly, dig, run away and act anti-social is because a lot of people treat them as lawn ornaments. Something to just look nice, and not be bothered with.
I believe if Shelters educated the public on the proper way to keep a dog outside, instead of labeling it inhumane and refusing to give dogs to people with the intention of keeping them out, less dogs would be put down and more people would have happier outdoor dogs.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/index.htm
This is an awesome site. Check it out! You can also find stories of people who were denied pets because of being outside.
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