I would try to talk your grandpa into letting you keep it as an inside dog. The situation doesn't sound to safe for a dog outside. Having a puppy/dog is a responsibility just like a child.

 

He also has some sheds. Is there a chance it could stay there for the nights? I would be outside almost 24/7

 

I wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing all dog has for shelter is a shed. No way.

 

If this pup's only options are running loose, being tied up, or sleeping in a shed then I beg you to re think getting a puppy at all as that is noway for a puppy to grow up.

 

Not to mention, that no reputable rescue/breeder is going to adopt out/sell to someone who will keep the dog outside, with shelter as a shed, no fence and tied up on occasion. You should really work on proving to your grandpa that you will take responsibility for housetraining, teaching manners, feeding etc.... to be able to let it live in the house. Or like Linsey said, just don't get a puppy right now.

 

I agree with the others, that is no way for a puppy/dog to be living. And like naturalfeddogs said, no good breeder or shelter would adopt out a pup if they knew the place the puppy would be kept. Dogs need to be with their people, not kept outside on a chain or locked in a shed.

Please, if you can not convince your grandpa of letting the dog live indoors, wait until your living situation changes to allow the dog indoors. Imagine how scary it is for a puppy to leave its litter mates, only to be locked outside in a dark scary shed. You would never gain that pups trust.

 

Sounds like you should get a cat instead

 

and maybe, an indoor cat.

 

Outside/inside cats on a large property are very common and perfectly okay. Mine is indoor/outdoor and very happy.

He doesn't fend for himself but he does enjoy being a cat outside when he chooses to.

Personally I feel that having an indoor only cat is cruel.

 

could i ask WHY youd want a dog at all then? seeing as how youd only be spending at best a few hours a day with it then go inside to do your own thing? having a puppy or a dog is not a "when i feel like it" thing, you dont jsut say "okay, im done playing with you, im going in the house now bye!"
thats not at all fair.

 

I always was of the mindset of all of you. Here in Australia, however, many, many dogs live outside. I still don't really AGREE with it, and I definitely don't like it, but, it is an option for some people I guess. Dobby lived outside for about 6 months before I convinced Graham to let him in the house. My stepdaughter's JRT still lives outside.

That being said, I definitely wouldn't do that to a puppy. If you have no other option than for your dog to live outside, I would suggest looking at an adult dog. Not that they should get any less attention, but they probably could handle a bit less. I would definitely try to fence in part of the yard though, rather than tying the dog up or keeping it in a shed. You said something in your other thread about moving soon - are you moving to your grandfather's house, or away from it? If you are moving away, why not wait until after you move to get a puppy?

I completely understand wanting a puppy, or a dog. But try to think about the welfare of the dog, not just what you want. If you adopt a dog, please don't get a dog that has lived in the house before - it will feel like it's done something wrong and is being punished.

I think dogs can have an okay life living outside, and if done properly, it's certainly better than some other situations. But, personally, I want my dog with me, all the time. I hate leaving him home to go to the grocery store! He actually comes with me most of the time, except in summer when it's too hot to leave him in the car. =) Most people on this forum consider their dogs to be like children, and can't imagine them living outside.

 

Thanks for giving a non defensive answer. Ive decided to adopt an adult dog now so there will be no problem with the pups safety

 

Ive decided to adopt an adult dog now. I should have thought more of the process. I was just very excited about having a new friend that I got ahead of myself therefore I am sorry.

 

Id like to let you know as well that I have always had outdoor cats. I have three now that are completely healthy. All cats don't need to be hidden from every little danger. They can fend for themselves just fine in the outside world.

 

Do not get a dog.

 

Sorry if any of my comments seemed rude but I don't understand why people are so against having their dogs be outside dogs. I've known plenty of people that keep their dogs outside 24/7 and they do just fine. Sure dogs are one of the greatest creatures on earth but they don't need to be treated like babies. They can easily fend for themselves. Before I moved to Missouri the two dogs I had were outside all the time and we lived in the country. We would let them run all over our 24 acres. We would let them inside if it was really cold because they don't have very much fur. I do plan on getting an adult dog now and a big one at that. There isnt any predators to worry about for ex. cougars. But if the weather gets bad I will see if I can get my G-pa to let the dog stay inside. I will be making a really nice dog house for them as well. Also a collar with identification will be given as well.

 

To most of us here, our dogs are our family and we would prefer them to not have to "fend for themselves". If you are going to adopt, you still have to find someone who will adopt a dog to you who will be outside. They are strict for a reason and I think that is going to be a hurdle.

 

Cassi, you cannot predict what a Dog will do... Seriously, I need to hear more of this situation. Do you live near a road? You can't possibly know that the Dog won't get to a road.

I won't even address keeping the Dog on a chain. Its a horrid way for a Dog to live and you break down their ability to be Dogs.

I don't LOVE a Dog living outside. They become lawn ornaments and people move onto other pursuits and they get forgotten. I've seen it 1000 times and it becomes ALL too similar. The cute puppy grows up and he spends his days/years living in dirt and pacing on a stupid chain. There are other concerns too... an outside Dog becomes more susceptible to heartworm I believe(someone verify please). Also, some Dogs are REALLY ill suited to be outside... many of the Terriers especially(Pits come to mind) have really short hair and just don't belong in really cold weather 24/7.

You've received some good opinions out here. I'm sure it hurts to hear criticism... human nature is to be defensive when we hear things we don't want to hear. Take a few minutes, cool off and realize that what we've told you is the moral and correct advice.

If you DO move forward with getting a Dog, please, please don't chain them up. Make sure they have a sizable fenced in area to run around. And you stay committed to giving them the life they deserve. You sound like a decent person... do the right thing.

 

Now I'm not trying to give you hell here, so bare with me. First of all I live in Wyoming so I know of many dogs that live outside. My nephew has one that does as my sister will not let a dog live in her house. He built a very nice dog house and has a heat pad for her, she is a border collie. However he is outside most of the day feeding livestock and the dog is with him.

I know you said you would be out allot what will you be doing outside all the time? Do you have livestock to feed? And I know on 24 acres that will not take all day. I live on 30 and have 2 horses and it takes me about 10 minutes to feed twice a day.

Also it takes my pitbull about 2 minutes to run over to the neighbors so you will still have to have a fenced yard or have to chain your dog up which I am not a fan of for longer than an hour or two.

Also you will have to get a long haired dog so that is going to be a grooming issue. But that may not be problem for you just something you will have to think about.

I will tell you I always have a problem when people say I have this property so it will have all this space to run. Like I said we have 30 acres but people on both sides so that's not much space at least to me. I can walk up the lain and go across the road and take my dogs for a walk and I am in the hills with a pastier of more than 500 acres. And if I go to the north or east I have many more that are that big or bigger. But I go out there a mile and a half and get on top of the hill and I can still see houses here and there, it is very open out here. I have run into dogs out there several times and I have also found my neighbors sheep killed by dogs.

What I am telling you is your dog has to be controlled for it's own sake. Please be responsible. I am glad you are trying to think this out before you get one, that does show thinking on your part. What I'm trying to tell you is these people who I have narrowed down to where I have seen the way the dogs are going, all think they can have a dog run lose because they have 30 or 40 acres. Well I have run into there dogs miles from there house and there are sheep in there.

They may find there dogs dead some day. I know a few that have.

 

....so many other issues. Coyotes are getting more and more prevalent. They are also gang hunters that use pretty cunning tactics to lure prey back to the pack where they gang up on them.

No way I would allow my beloved Dogs to face something like that. No way.

 

Sorry, but you should not be getting a dog. A dog is like a child. At least, it is the way I see my dogs. How you will be able to sleep knowing that you dog is cold or hot or wet if rain. Don't do to a dog what you will not do to a child.

 

There are very few people who have a correct set up for outside dogs and i can tell you're not one of them.

 

Well funny story is I used to live in a little town across from my grandpa out in the country. Then we moved to Missouri. Now im moving back to that little town and living with my grandpa. I honestly do not know how many acres he has but I know its way over 24 acres. Reading all your comments I do realize I have been very foolish and I am sorry. I probably sounded very inexperienced. Some things I am inexperienced with. I'm hoping to rescue an Australian Shepherd, so that solves the winter issue My step sister has a few and they came over to the house once and the male had a golf ball size mass of stick tites in the fur on his chest after running around on my property all day. I had to do surgery with a small knife to get that ball off. I could tell he was very relieved after i removed it.I do plan on daily grooming, stick tites are a big problem there. I am now thinking about the fencing issue. I'm sure my grandpa would be willing to fence in part of the yard for me.

 

you are more mature than most I know, Cassi. Taking some time to think about this is a really kind thing to do.

If you go the fence route, I would recommend REALLY looking over EVERY nook and cranny of the fence. Chain link fence has lots of flex in it. One of my guys found a dip in the yard and figured out he could attack that spot and bend the fence enough to squeeze out the bottom. You also need to make sure you don't have a climber or super jumper. 4 foot fences can be easy to handle for some Dogs...I've never had that issue but there are some talented Dogs out there. A good option I've found and it might work well for you because it sounds like you might have access to lots of field stones(we have them everywhere in Michigan near farm fields)....imbed them around the perimeter of the fence. This usually stops digging in my experience.

If you are going to keep them in a Dog house for any modest amount of time, make sure its built right. The best Dog houses have a door then an area AWAY from the entrance so they can get completely away from the entrance area. Picture a square with the door off to the side, NOT in the middle. The door also needs some type of shield. You'll have to research some options. A heave plastic might work but if you have a chewer, that may not be smart.

I don't love the idea of ANY dog living outside full time. But if you are going to do it, I'd rather it be done right. And frankly, with what I see every day in my city.... it pales in comparison. I'd encourage you to do everything you can to keep him inside some of the time.

 

Just because it will be an Australian Shepherd doesn't mean it will never get cold or be uncomfortable. I know, I have three. What about summer? That can be as hard or harder for them in heat. Mine are only outside in the summer early in the morning and late into the evening. During the heat of the day they are all inside laying around in ac. Thats something else to think about.

 

I'm sorry I had the 24 acres in my head when you said you use to live where your dogs had 24 acres, my mistake. But it would still be a good idea if you can get your grandpa to help you fence in an area so when your not out with your dog it is not running lose.

You may luck out and have a dog that doesn't run I have seen them, but don't just assume they won't assume they will.

 

This literally just happened to my friend yesterday. Never assume a dog won't run. My friends parents have an over 100 acre farm, and their dog was always off leash, wandering the property (brought in at nighttime to the sun room to sleep), and just yesterday, after years of never even attempting to go to the road, it went to the road and got hit by a car. So, just because a dog may seem well behaved on the property, does not mean something will distract it, and in that one moment it's life or death for the dog.

 

YEP YEP YEP.

I have a friend who used to laugh at me because I wouldn't just bring my dogs over to his property and let them run. He thought I was too anal about my Dogs. He has about 100 acres of land...and his Dog had free reign.

Well, one morning he came into work and told me that their Dog had gone into the road "unexpectedly" and sadly lost his life.

Roads/cars/Dogs don't mix. Dogs are NOT predictable no matter HOW well trained. One Squirrel/rabbit/scent etc... and instinct kicks in and I don't care if your Dog is trained by Ian Dunbar.... they can bolt straight into a car.

THERE IS NO DOG that should EVER EVER EVER have free reign without you watching over them closely. NEVER.

 

My parents live on an old 450 acre cotton plantation, and their whole front yard is fenced for their dogs. No running loose there for them either.