INSIDE OR OUTSIDE - WHICH IS BEST?

One of the eternal - and often more contentious - questions dog owners have, is over whether it is better to keep your dog inside, or outside. The short answer is - it depends! Whatever your personal choice turns out to be, here are a few things to consider you may not have thought of - at least not lately.

1. Training - The myth is that some dogs cannot be trained to become an indoor dog. The operative word here is "trained". For many dog owners, housebreaking a dog can be the most daunting of any training they will do. It can be very frustrating if not done correctly. Done properly, it can be done fairly quickly, and with minimal mess. It requires patience, committment, and consistency. It also requires an indoor crate in which to keep your dog during the training process. If this is the only reason you have kept Fido outside, come back next week for training tips that may help!

2. Outdoor Hazards - There are many. Other animals, weather, yard debris and parasites. Small dogs kept outdoors may fall victim to roaming predators such as coyotes. A small dog, chained up outdoors, has virtually little or no protection from a larger adversary such as a coyote. With winter coming, if you live in a more rural area where coyotes roam, you should bear in mind that if food becomes an issue, a coyote has no problem coming into your yard for an easy meal. A small dog staked out on the end of a chain is as easy as it gets!

Some breeds are not good outdoor dogs. A Rat Terrier for example may have a rough go of it in very cold weather. Their short hair and low body fat offers them little natural protection from inclement weather and cold temperatures. It should also be noted that some breeds were bred for the express purpose of being an indoor lap dog. Dogs that fall into the Miniature, & Toy categories, like Jack Russell, Rat Terrier, Chihuahuas were meant to be indoor dogs. If you want an outdoor breed, pick one that will have the proper size and coat to survive if weather is an issue where you live. Hardier breeds like Labs, Retrievers, Shepherds and Sheepdogs are some of the more common choices. If you keep any dog outdoors during the winter, be sure they have a dry and weatherproof dog house for shelter, preferably on a raised platform. All too often I see a dog chained in the yard after a driving rainstorm, standing in three or four inches of mud & muck. Even the inside of the dog house house is covered in mud & muck. Be sure to change the bedding inside the dog house regularly. In winter if it snows, and you use hay inside the dog house, it should be changed weekly to keep it dry & allow for maximum warmth.

Yard Debris - If you keep a dog chained up in your yard, be sure and police your yard regularly to ensure there is nothing your dogs chain or lead can become entangled with. Fallen tree branches, large toys such as bikes, or other items can cause the dogs lead to shorten, thus keeping it from being able to reach its shelter or food & water. And some of these items can also cause poking injuries to the eyes, or scratches which can later become infected.

Parasites - Fleas and ticks are the most common, but outdoor animals can also fall victim to stings from scorpions, spider bites and of course, mosquito bites. If you keep your dog outdoors, be sure to keep them on medication such as Heartguard to protect them from heartworms, and Frontline to protect them from fleas & ticks. Check them weekly at a minimum to be sure they have not been bitten or stung by anything else that may require Vet treatment. Remember, if the inside warmth of a dog house is attractive to your dog, it will also be attractive to other critters too!

3. Indoor Hazards - If you keep your dog inside, remember that like your two-legged kids, they also need protection from things like household cleaners. Just because it smells bad to us, don't assume they will find the odor equally offensive. And just like our human children, they will put anything & everything in their mouths! Coins, buttons...I even heard of a lady who had left a wrist watch with a nice new leather band on her end table. Her Poodle thought the new leather band tasted even better than it smelled, and somewhere during the whole chewing process, even managed to swallow her watch! Gave a whole new meaning to "Takes a licking, and keeps on ticking!".

4. Noise - How many times have you heard someone complain about a neighbors outdoor dog barking all night long, keeping them awake. Dogs bark for a variety of reasons. They bark because they are hungry, thirsty, bored or to warn of potential intruders - four legged as well as two legged. Also remember that our domestic dogs are descendants of the wolf - and we all know they love to howl at the moon! Really though, dogs also bark to communicate with other dogs in the neighborhood. They also bark if they are lonely. You can help curb this all night noise affair by making sure before you go in for the evening, they have a full water & food dish, a dry & warm place to sleep, and plenty of attention. Play with them late in the day, and wear them out a little. They will sleep better, and make a lot less noise at night.

In the end, it really comes down to personal preference. I prefer my dogs inside, lying next me on the couch, or sleeping at my feet. I don't believe that if you have a big dog for protection, you are protected very much when someone kicks in your front door, while "Killer" is chained up out back! Having said that, if you prefer your dog outside, and you provide for it's health & well being, I know many breeds that thrive on those conditions, and often prefer it. The key is picking the right dog for your personal situation. Having a Great Dane inside the house may pose a little more of a challenge than say, a Miniature Schnauzer, but it isn't impossible. Keeping that Great Pyranese outdoors may make a little more sense than say, that Toy Poodle. What makes it the best choice for you and your dog, depends mostly on how you train them if they are going to be inside, and how you provide for them if they will be outside.

And please remember. If you have that female unspayed Lab chained up outside, don't be one of those people who complain about all the unwanted male attention they get at three in the morning! Male or female, indoor or outdoor, your dog will be happier, heathier and yes, even quieter if they are spayed or neutered.