I'm getting a dog but my parents won't allow it indoors?

Question

So my mum has finally allowed me to keep a dog as a companion animal. I'm ready to adopt another family member into its forever home. However, my mum said that it won't be allowed indoors.

Basically we live in a large mansion and we have lots of expensive things in the house which my mum is very cautious about. They spent millions of dollars building the house so they said that the dog will ruin it if he is let indoors. The furniture inside is exported from around the world and we have some expensive things like his wine collection, pricey furniture, and expensive show objects like fragile cups, goods made out of glass, etc. Even the floor is made out of expensive wood which is easily ruined.

Will the dog scratch or chew on stuff and break things in the house and make a mess? Can I train the dog to behave? If there is a way to train it so that none of this happens, I reckon I can convince them.

However, the likelihood is that he will be living outdoors. By this, I don't mean he will be chained to a tree without any attention. I spend lots of time outdoor and I'm sure I will still provide him with the care, love and training that he needs. We have lots of run-around space, we have a large garden, swimming pool and a nice space to exercise. We also have areas that have shade, where lots of us spend our time but isn't exactly indoors (like a garden with a roof over it). I think he will have a nice time hanging around there. Will this be fine?

Answer 1

I think that there are some things to consider (and please think about them carefully).



For example, climate. In most parts of the world, the dog is not in a suitable climate all-year round. This is especially true if you live near the equator or far away on either sides. In most places, it will either be too hot or too cold. Unless you live in a country where the temperature is right, then you could consider it.



You said that you will be spending your time outdoors and you will be able to give it attention but this may be harder than you think. Dogs are companion animals. However, as long as you are sure that you can give it sufficient exercise, training, etc then it doesn't make too much of a difference. In fact, some dogs prefer running around in the grass, rolling in the mud, etc. Just make sure it is completely safe and make sure to dog-proof things like your swimming pool.



@Meow what exactly makes you think he is making this up? There are definitely quite a few people out there with expensive mansions with expensive things in them so it's definitely possible. Most people don't have million dollar mansions but I'm not going to assume so because I don't have proof.

Answer 2

Each to their own, but personally I can't see the point having a dog, who is basically a social animal, and keeping it outside. Yes, if it's a working dog, and will be off working with it's owner during waking days but otherwise no. Some dogs do well living out too, but NOT as puppies normally unless they are in a purpose built building, heated and with an outside run. Puppies bred by good breeders are born into a home situation - even those living in a kennel. They are rarely whelped and reared other than in with their breeders.



And it might be okay to have an outside dog, if it's not outside on it's own.



Having a dog in with the family doesn't necessarily mess and destruction provided the dog is properly trained. And it's a good idea to use a crate for a young puppy, for the times when nobody can supervise what's going on and keep it out of danger and mischief. And no dog needs to have the entire run of the house which wil need to be puppy-proofed regardless.



If your parents are really not into having a dog - please don't. You won't be there all the time, perhaps during the school term, not much of the time, so what then for any dog who is left outside? Again dogs are social animals and at their happiest with immediatey with 'their pack'.



Perhaps a cat might be a better idea - less dependent and quite happy to be off out.

Answer 3

It's perfectly fine to keep the dog outdoors. In fact, it's probably even better than indoors because your dog has more space to run around freely without worrying about crashing into furniture, and it can have fun rolling in the grass/mud.



To answer your dog breed question, the majority of dogs enjoy the outdoors and exercising outdoors. A dog doesn't need to be indoors to have a good life. However, if your dog sleeps outdoors there is the chance that he/she will get separation anxiety because he/she is not close to you, its owner. Some breeds I might recommend are rottweilers, german shepherds, etc... But a certain breed of dog does not mean that every dog in that breed is exactly the same. So I'd definitely recommend adopting a mutt/mongrel. You'll be saving a life from possibly being put down, and it'll also save money!



I don't think it's good for your dog to spend all its time outdoors because he/she will spend a lot of time alone so maybe ask your parents if you can bring your dog inside your room sometimes? Anyway, good luck. Having a dog is lots of fun but also lots of work, so make sure you're up to it. :)

Answer 4

Dogs are social animals and should be allowed indoors. How can it be "a companion animal" if it's left outdoors as a Lawn Ornament*?



Then don't get a dog, period. That will be left outside unsupervised where it maybe poisoned, beaten, used for target practice, stolen, sold to a lab, used as a bait dog and/or eaten by a predator.



If not properly contained this may also happen: http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e224/GLLNTKNIGHT/6_zpsda193ce0.jpg



"Will the dog scratch or chew on stuff and break things in the house and make a mess?" Yes, if you allow it to. Dogs don't come trained, that's the entire families responsibility, to constantly supervise, contain when they can't, immediate correction when caught in the act, dog proof the premises, put everything away so it can't access anything and provide sufficient daily exercise/mental stimulation/elimination times** regardless of weather conditions, how the family maybe feeling (tired/sick/busy), and other obligations such as school, homework, extracurricular activities, childcare (if applicable), household chores, work and social life. An empty/tired dog is a good dog.



Training requires a lot of patience, consistency, diligence and time, minimum 6-18 months, more or less, if properly done, to start, on the entire families part.



Once trained you must continue to enforce what was taught on the daily basis for the life of the dog, 12-17 years.



*http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e224/GLLNTKNIGHT/aditloabyd_zps8a8a9294.jpg



**http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e224/GLLNTKNIGHT/exercise1_zpsfb9dd351.jpg

Answer 5

Depending on your climate a dog living outside isn't terrible. But in most places it gets too hot and cold for that. Plus its easy to forget to interact with a dog if its out of sight all the time. A better idea would be to get a crate and crate train the dog so that when you aren't able to watch it then you know there is no trouble. If you work wtih the dog on a constant basis, maybe training classes or in house training then I'm sure you can have pet that will exsist with your family not outside. Each breed of dog is different too. Some shed more than others, some are more active and need more time to exercise. I would research the breeds too. They also make covers for the dogs nails which would keep them from scratching the floor.



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Answer 6

You don`t say how old you are and if you go to school or to work. And who is going to give this dog attention when you are at either?

It makes no odds how large your grounds are,and the swimming pool must be fenced off if a dog is free and unsupervised near it. Dogs need company and they need training and they need proper exercise, and not just left to wander about alone outside. The dog will also need a warm kennel or outhouse in which to shelter from any adverse weather if its kept outside. Also your outside premises need to be dog proof if the dog is kept loose, and warning signs put on any outside gates in case someone walks in and leaves gates open.

It sounds like your Mum is not keen on dogs and prefers material things but that`s her prerogative.

And don`t forget if the dog is kept outside you will have to clean up its poop daily or that may upset your mum if she treads in any of it left about.

A dog should really be 100% welcome by all members of a family and all should take an interest in it.

Obviously if this dog is to live outside, small lapdog types are not on the agenda or thin skinned and thin coated dogs are out, so are puppies as they should not be outside until they are at least 6 months old.

Remember outside dogs can be easily stolen or poisoned and if the dog annoys any nearby neighbours with its barking it could be a problem, especially at night.

I think you should think long and hard about whether getting a dog at the moment is the right thing to do as its a 10-15 year commitment and an expensive one too. Are your parents willing to help out with costs if you are still at school?

If your Mum and Dad were more into dogs and were willing to help out with walking and looking after a dog then I would be more optimistic about you getting a dog but her attitude, by not wanting a dog in the house does not suggest they are that keen on dogs and if you have to manage the dog alone then I don`t think its fair on the dog.

It may sound all hunky Dory getting a dog, and dogs can be wonderful companions, but they can also be hard work, a tie, and expensive.

Think very carefully before you do something you may later regret, for your sake and the dogs sake. Jmo.

Answer 7

Then don't get a dog. Why dont YOU live outside 24\7 in a yard with nothing to do all day bu stare at a fence and live in the cold, damp and wind for the next 10 years and see how you like it? But you wont since you are selfish and want a dog despite the fact it will live isolated outside due to you and your family being lazy and dont care that the dog will suffer.



"They spent millions of dollars building the house"



Sure they did.. You live in a fanstey if you think mommy and daddy spent that building the house and have expensive furniture.



Its impossible for you to ever spend enough time with the poor dog unless you live outdoors 24\7 with it. You ahve school six hours and wont have time for a dog at all and wont take care of it.

Answer 8

Then you wait till you are in your own place if the dog cannot be indoors. Dogs have accidents, they also break things or chew on things. Yes the dog can be trained but you still have mud and dirt coming in the house and even the best trained dog will have accidents sometimes.



If your mother is so concerned about the material things in the house, she will HATE the dog and will find something wrong with it being outside too.



Not fair to the dog - wait till you live in your own place.

Answer 9

You have two options:



Get a medium sized adult dog (3 years or older) with low energy, medium sized dogs are not clumsy like big dogs and they are generally house broken by the time they are adults. Low energy dogs won't run around, chew or destroy things with proper care. Go to a shelter and tell them what you are looking for and they will probably understand when you say "low energy". Sit with the dog they give you for 20 minutes. If he is laying down within the first 10 minutes he is low energy, if not, ask for a different dog.



or get whatever dog you want and have your parents pay for a large heated/cooled dog house. Large dogs tend to do better outside. The breed of dog depends entirely on the climate of where you live. If its usually hot, get a dog that has short fur, if its cold, a dog with long fur. The heated/cooled dog house in important. Dogs can die if they get too hot and will easily freeze to death if it gets too cold.

Answer 10

you can't do anything about his nails on the floor besides keeping his nails trimmed and putting rugs down. If the dog has obedience training they may find him a joy to have around and allow him in the house or certain parts of the house.



You can use baby-gates in the house or even pet gates from the petstore to keep him contained to the appropriate areas and out of areas with bare floors or breakables.

Answer 11

Please reconsider. You are being pretty selfish.

No shelter will home a dog with you if you are going to keep it outdoors, so you are not a adopting a dog. You are buying one.

Dogs in kennels need company. Thats a problem as they are more likely to bond with each other and not you.

Working dogs spend all day with their handler so for them its not such an issue.



You are going to buy a sociable animal and keep it in a kennel for 23 hours out of 24 so you can call it a companion. Thats not what dog keeping is all about, and its not fair on the dog.

Answer 12

Most of the dogs suitable to live outside are also not suitable for a kid to raise or as a first time owner. I do hope your parents are planning to be involved in other ways than financial as dogs are not easy to raise well.



Sorry but I don't think it is a good idea.



As for the extensive useless information regarding just what your parents have, how very very sad that they seem to missing the most important item.... a heart.

Answer 13

Then don't get a dog. It would be incredibly selfish of you to get one KNOWING it would be forced to live outdoors at all times. Dogs are pack animals and WANT to be with their family.



LOL that you want us to believe you live in a mansion that cost "millions of dollars" to make. Your imaginary expensive items would be IMPORTED to this country not exported! Where is this impressive estate? FANTASTYLAND??? The fact you cowardly posted this as anonymous further proves you are full of it because your other questions are probably things like "Should I be ashamed I live in a trailer park?" "What trade school could I go to since we can't afford a real college?"