Is it normal to leave dogs outside overnight?

[idril]

Two of our neighbours leave their dogs out overnight and fairly often we are woken up by barking in the middle of the night (usually when they see a cat!).

When the dog was a puppy, we had to speak to the neighbour about the barking and he was apologetic and said he would lock the puppy in his kennel!

Aside from the barking, leaving your dog out over night and especially locked in in kennel doesn't seem very kind to me but not sure if this is a normal thing to do with dogs as I've only ever had cats.

We don't often hear them barking in the daytime so I think they have them inside during the day and the dog of the neighbour that we know is walked and looks happy and healthy so they are not mis-treated or anything but just wondered if leaving a dog outside all night is common.

It depends what the dog is for, if it’s a loving pet nearly all owners would keep them inside, esp winter and for fear of it being stolen, which is big business now, and the noise issues being respectful of neighbors.
If it’s a working dog, most will be kennelled outside, to make the dog work better for you as it might only see you twice a day so is keen to please

Working dogs are sometimes kept outside in kennels.

For pets whilst it isn't the normal thing to do as long as they have shelter, food and water then they aren't being neglected. However, noise nuisance is a valid problem and if you don't feel you can approach your neighbours directly you could always complain to the council instead.

It depends on the purpose of the dog. Most pets are kept inside, or if they are kept outside, they're in purpose-built, heated kennels.

If the dog has food, shelter, water and is getting regular walks, I would say that was absolutely fine. The barking isn't good but I don't know if anyone would be interested in the rest.

Working dogs are kept in kennels, but pets can be too. One of ours would love to sleep outside from Spring to Autumn, but where we are living at the moment isn’t suitable because he would disturb the neighbour if he barks. When we stay at in laws he sleeps in their outdoor kennel. He is a farm dog but not a proper working dog. Our other dog would hate sleeping outside.

Thanks. These are pets not working dogs.

I'm not worried about the dogs as such because as I said they are cared for but I just wondered if it was unusual. I wouldn't lock my cat out at night so pretty sure I wouldn't do it to a dog if I had one.

I feel able to speak to the neighbour I know if the barking gets bad (was bad last night which prompted my post) but the other dog backs onto us so would have to find out where they live.

I think it probably depends where you live with how unusual it is I reckon. A lot of our friends put their dogs out for the night but we are all really rural, I think it’s less common in more built up areas. I also let my cat stay out all night if he wants to but again, lots of people don’t!

As long as the kennel is warm enough with access to water and bedding it isn’t unkind. It’s not any different from dogs who are left to sleep downstairs away from their families really. My border collie would love to sleep outside, especially at this time of year.