Need help regarding a 'should I get a dog?' question and can I keep one outside?

[shadypines]

Hi, DD 12yrs has been pining for a dog for years. I would love to be able to oblige but two things have always worried me.

1. I'm not keen on having a dog around the house EXCEPT in my back room off the kitchen where floor is washable.

2. I worry about leaving the dog alone when I am at work for 2 and half days per week.

So my main questions are do people keep dogs outside at all, at least most of the time? Are there decent kennels available that are easy to be cleaned and are comfortable for dog (keep it warm etc) And can I leave a dog on its own all day, would it be ok, what about the pooping situation?!

Any advice re these questions or any other helpful stuff you can tell me would be really appreciated. Thanks.

Sorry but my dogs live outside have a kennel with bedding in and are a lot happier than a lot of dogs that are kept inside. Constantly congratulated on how well they look that said both are rescues and one cannot cope inside due to the past abuse and will howl if left in and not able to get out.
Do not get a dog if you cannot cope with cleaning up after them having mud and hair everywhere as not matter what u do it gets tracked through the house, they take a lot of care not once a day for a walk twice if not more mine need walking three times a day or the energy they have is ridiculous think he climbs the fencing if he doesn't get his three walks. ( a lot of people have dogs that live outside in this country farms for example they just need the correct care if unsure rescue charities are very good at advice)

I think everyone in the family has to want a dog, for it to work.

We just got a dog 6 months ago. I always liked dogs, but was worried about mess/dirtyness etc.

You can have clear rules that suit you. Dog not allowed upstairs/on sofa but otherwise gets treated like a princess as we have all "fallen in love" with her, she is such a sweety.

If you don't like the dog you would find it hard for the next 12 years, so you really really have to accept that this dog would also be YOUR dog, before you can even think about it.

Dogs are very giving, our dog has given us a lot of happiness and smiles and laughs, and we get pleasure out of treating her well (long walks, playing games, cuddles), but it is a huge commitment and you need to really want it yourself.

If not it will be a hassle and a pain for all around, including the dog.

Do not get a dog - you're not a dog person.

It is possible to keep dogs in outdoor kennels but you would need to have more than one dogs so that they can keep each other company and you would need to spend most of your day interacting with your dogs. This is easier done if they are working dogs, or if you work on a farm or you have an all consuming dog hobby. What you seem to want is a pet dog that lives outside and this is unlikely to work out. Dogs are social creatures and need to be part of a family. Leaving a dog for too long on its own is likely to lead to problems like incessant barking, destructive behaviour, excessive energy, etc.

Working p/t is less of a problem as you could employ a dog walker to take the dog out twice a day - this does cost though.

If you do decide that you can put up with a dog in the house do consider other aspects of dog ownership. Your DD is too young to take full responsibility for a dog. She can certainly help but an adult would need to take on the responsibility of training, socialising and exercising the dog. Your lifestyle may also be affected in other ways, e.g. the costs of dog ownership, holiday arrangements, tetchy.

Only working dogs should be kept outside really - they get enough exercise, training and stimulation daily and shouldn't spend too much time indoors. Plus a dog that spends any amount of time living outdoors will stink, then you won't want it in your house at all.

if you don't intend to work your dog but want it as a pet then it should live indoors. What's the point, otherwise?

Lots of good points above about the disruption a dog will cause to your life and the time, care and attention they need. It's a huge, lifelong (for the dog, anyway) undertaking and you need to go into it wholeheartedly, not as a way to placate your DD.

The Cinnamon trust idea is great

I have only read the OP post, and I say do NOT consider getting a dog at all.

Dogs are sociable creatures that need to be part of the family. They thrive with attention and love, and social interaction, and are believed to have approximately the cognitive skills of a 3 yr old. Would you propose keeping a 3 year old in a kennel in the garden?

If you keep a dog outside it will be miserable most of the time, may well bark a lot, will inevitably be ignored by you and yours for significant periods, and may end up a problem dog. Even if not a problem dog, it will be a sad dog with a sad life.

The RSPCA and other rescue organisations have to deal with a disproportionate number of outdoor housed dogs kept by ignorant and neglectful owners. Don't add to that burden.

The only people I know that keep a dog outside are a problem gypsy family down the road, who incidentally cause various problems for numerous neighbours round here. They are typically the sort of people who think it's OK to keep dogs outside.

Well you are cruel....your going to leave it outside and be at work all day!! how is that not cruel??????

Poor dog, tell the breeders your plans and how its not you that wants the dog and what you plan to do... any decent breeder would not let there pups go with you. Poor dog.

Keeping a dog outside is not a problem if it is a large working breed that you work all day, and has the coat and temperament to adapt to living outside, so if you plan to be busy with your dog from say 6am to 6pm everyday, then tbh it will probably appreciate dinner and a nice warm kennel - however from your op I don't think you plan to do this.

I would also say for SOME dogs being left for 2 1/2 days a week wouldn't be a problem, certainly not a puppy though, and for the rest of the time you need to put a vast amount of time into your dog, so a good hour plus walk before going to work, the same on your return, preferably a walker to come in during the day, and the dog with you, all the rest of the time not ever in a back room off the kitchen.

My dogs get left for periods of time in the week, but the rest of the time the are on the sofas, in my bed, training, playing, walking, all of our holidays and almost all of our day trips are geared around them.

As someone else said upthread they cost a fortune.

Should also point out that they are of course on sofas/in beds when I am out too