Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I wouldn't leave a dog outside on code red days. I don't leave myself outside those days!

We are talking about a 40-50 pound rescue mutt, nothing fancy, cutsey or overly popular

I am opposed to doggie daycare. Dogs were fine 50 years ago without daycare, they are fine today. I've been a dog owner in the past (dog died 7 years ago) and never used it, and my family has always had dogs and never used daycare. We will probably hire a midday dogwalker. We are out of the house from 8-6 every day.

You are the worst kind of dog owner. You are the reason that people like me complain about other people's dogs. If you are going to be away fro so long, you shouldn't even get a dog. Selfish.

I agree. OP, don't get a dog because you are already thinking in selfish terms. (If you are talking about "only" a rescue dog, "nothing fancy," then be prepared to be turned down, because they will not place a dog with you if they know what your plan for keeping this dog outdoors it.)

If you don't "believe" in humane conditions for an animal, then do not adopt one as a pet. Get a lawn ornament instead.

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I wouldn't leave a dog outside on code red days. I don't leave myself outside those days!

We are talking about a 40-50 pound rescue mutt, nothing fancy, cutsey or overly popular

I am opposed to doggie daycare. Dogs were fine 50 years ago without daycare, they are fine today. I've been a dog owner in the past (dog died 7 years ago) and never used it, and my family has always had dogs and never used daycare. We will probably hire a midday dogwalker. We are out of the house from 8-6 every day.

You are the worst kind of dog owner. You are the reason that people like me complain about other people's dogs. If you are going to be away fro so long, you shouldn't even get a dog. Selfish.

Anonymous wrote:Wow, you city people have pretty strange thoughts about dogs. You realize they are meant to be outside, right? And this crating trend...you honestly think that it's better to keep a dog in a cage like a bird? The thing I would most be concerned about is barking and your neighbors.

Actually dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years. Wolves are meant to live outside; dogs are not.

My dog and others' dogs I know are not crated regardless of "trends." They live indoors, with people, because they are pets - not lawn ornaments.

Anonymous wrote:Dogs are not lawn ornaments. They are pets. If you don't care to have a pet, then don't get a dog.

There is a very good reason you don't see dogs tied up to trees in this area with a crappy dog house...because it looks trashy.

I have lived in 3 neighborhoods in this area where the HOA had very specific rules on keeping animals outside. In my last townhouse development, you couldn't keep your dog outside for longer than 30 minutes unattended and you had to keep the dog in your fenced yard. No chains, cables, runs, etc.

It looks trashy because it is trashy. It is cruel and inhumane.

This is not the South, where people don't neuter animals and where where dogs wander the streets. Put on the AC, hire a dog walker, provide for your animal - regardless of whether you are "opposed" to treating animals humanely.

Sheesh.

Don't leave your dog outside all day. Please don't. Especially in the summer there are unpredictable but serious storms, unexpectedly hot days, and that's on top of the fact that people are f-ed up and even if your dog is a mutt there are freaks and a-holes who may take the opportunity to hurt your dog, especially if it turns out to be a barker.

By the way, my brother and SIL didn't think their dog was a barker and would leave it in their condo all day (roaming free, not crated). Turned out within minutes of their departure the dog would start barking and not let up for most of the day until apparently the dog would get worn out and go to sleep. Finally, brother and SIL got a complaint from the condo board and ended up taking the dog to doggy daycare. All of which is to say, dogs can fool ya'. Sometimes they end up being barkers.

Wow, you city people have pretty strange thoughts about dogs. You realize they are meant to be outside, right? And this crating trend...you honestly think that it's better to keep a dog in a cage like a bird? The thing I would most be concerned about is barking and your neighbors.

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I wouldn't leave a dog outside on code red days. I don't leave myself outside those days!

We are talking about a 40-50 pound rescue mutt, nothing fancy, cutsey or overly popular

I am opposed to doggie daycare. Dogs were fine 50 years ago without daycare, they are fine today. I've been a dog owner in the past (dog died 7 years ago) and never used it, and my family has always had dogs and never used daycare. We will probably hire a midday dogwalker. We are out of the house from 8-6 every day.

50 years ago more houses had SAHM's. Friends parents who worked did not have both out of the house all day - ie teachers who returned earlier than 6. DH mom worked and the dog stayed inside. http://www.city-data.com/forum/huntsville-madison-decatur-area/1577189-good-dog-breed-local-climate.html

My relatives both work and even when they had multiple dogs they were inside all day. It's creepy to leave a dog outside in a pen . Also check out the link on breeds and weather.

I think that it is probably fine to leave a dog outside during the spring/fall if the dog is not a barker (which you are not going to know until you bring the dog home and leave it alone for a while). However, what will your plan be for the dog in the summer/winter? Will it just stay inside all day? Could you get a dog door installed? Will you also be taking it for walks in the morning/evenings? My dad is a vet and his biggest pet peeve is dog owners who don't provide their dog enough exercise. Playing in the backyard is often not enough for a lot of breeds, and especially pups. Bored dogs who haven't gotten their energy out become PITA dogs that everyone starts to resent.

Also, doggie day care is a great way to socialize your pup. Not something you need to invest in every day, but once a week it would probably be a great way to get energy out.

Op don't get a dog. You sound like you would mistreat it and leave it neglected outside which is cruel.

OP, what if your dog IS a barker? What will you do then?

Do that.

Anonymous wrote:Don't listen to these posters. Under 80, with the right set up and your dog will be fine. Test it out and make sure the dog isn't a barker. Our dogs even have a small kiddie pool to rest in. On spring and fall days they love it.

How do your neighbors like it?

Don't listen to these posters. Under 80, with the right set up and your dog will be fine. Test it out and make sure the dog isn't a barker. Our dogs even have a small kiddie pool to rest in. On spring and fall days they love it.

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I wouldn't leave a dog outside on code red days. I don't leave myself outside those days!

We are talking about a 40-50 pound rescue mutt, nothing fancy, cutsey or overly popular

I am opposed to doggie daycare. Dogs were fine 50 years ago without daycare, they are fine today. I've been a dog owner in the past (dog died 7 years ago) and never used it, and my family has always had dogs and never used daycare. We will probably hire a midday dogwalker. We are out of the house from 8-6 every day.

Rescue organizations in this area will not place a dog with those who think their is such a thing as "outdoor dogs". Shelters will not do it either.

Dogs are not lawn ornaments. They are pets. If you don't care to have a pet, then don't get a dog.

There is a very good reason you don't see dogs tied up to trees in this area with a crappy dog house...because it looks trashy.

I have lived in 3 neighborhoods in this area where the HOA had very specific rules on keeping animals outside. In my last townhouse development, you couldn't keep your dog outside for longer than 30 minutes unattended and you had to keep the dog in your fenced yard. No chains, cables, runs, etc.

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I wouldn't leave a dog outside on code red days. I don't leave myself outside those days!

We are talking about a 40-50 pound rescue mutt, nothing fancy, cutsey or overly popular

I am opposed to doggie daycare. Dogs were fine 50 years ago without daycare, they are fine today. I've been a dog owner in the past (dog died 7 years ago) and never used it, and my family has always had dogs and never used daycare. We will probably hire a midday dogwalker. We are out of the house from 8-6 every day.

50 years ago a lot of women didn't work outside the home and were home all day...

And gee, as long as it's just a rescue mutt and nothing "fancy" I guess it's ok to mistreat the dog, right?