Comments on: Outside Dogs Benefit No One

By: nyc puppy service

nyc puppy service — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:09:44 +0000

Great post and this holds true even in New York City. A dog kept / locked up outside is usually a sign of neglect and is dangerous for the dogs themselves, let alone the mental stresses it can create. Exposing children to dogs at an early age can help avoid allergies. There are lots of free resources out there for many of the problems people encounter with dogs (house training, leash training, etc.) that might put them outside.

By: Pretty Paws

Pretty Paws — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:11:32 +0000

I live in a central Minnesota town that does not enforce any dog laws. I don’t mind if dogs are let outside to roam their yard and go potty. What is a little scary is when one of the dogs comes up to you and starts barking with raised back fur. I get a little frightened. I know the dog is only acting instinctively trying to prevent a stranger from a possible intrusion. The owners need to accompany their dogs just in case the dog should happen to attack. It makes for a safer neighborhood when untethered dogs are watched by their “parents”. http://www.PrettyPawsBoutique.com

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:33:04 +0000

Yes; too many people consider their needs first and the dog’s needs second. As they have no control over the environment you provide for them, you have to think of them more. If you really love dogs I think you’d rather not have one than have one in an inappropriate environment.

By: Connie

Connie — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:42:22 +0000

Truer words have never been spoken!

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:03:53 +0000

I agree with you wholeheartedly, except for one thing… the farming culture of the working dog is still alive and well in many rural areas. Many breeds of working dogs do make excellent family companions, in which case their very instinct is to be bonded to the family, indoors. But I truly believe that nothing heightens our appreciation for those breeds more than seeing them working, in the very environment that produced those admirable traits, if you are lucky enough to be able to witness this sometime.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Absolutely right, Steve. What a privelege to watch these wonderful working dogs doing what they love to do. A friend of our family grew up on a dairy farm, and used to bring us to the farm with her to visit. She told us about their farm dogs, usually collies, who would sleep on the back porch and guard the farm. When coming home late at night, she would tell the dog it, “It’s just me,” and he’d go back to sleep. Those dogs were in no way neglected, because they were a part of the family, both indoors and out.