Leaving dogs outside

[RottieMom51503]

My Dad used to tell me "there is a first time for everything". I think even that saying fits here. Nobody (I Hope) brings home a dog or puppy looks at the puppy thinking the neighbors are gonna carve you up one day. However it's happening. We have already lost poor Bort's Bother and Bear. Do you think they would have left those dogs outside had they known someone was wanting to kill them.

The news section is full of stories of children getting mauled because their parents weren't supervising them and they went into a neighbors backyard and it's also full of stories of the police shotting at large Rottweilers. Let's be honest our dogs don't have the best reputation and we all have people around us that don't like our dogs and Rottweilers in general. There isn't a safe area in the United States anymore.

No way could I consentrate at work with my gang was outside, too many things could happen to them. Yes I could have a fire however it's as simple as having the wiring frequently checked and making sure everything is turned off when you leave to reduce your chances. A dog even left in run has what? Fifteen feet maybe to get away from trouble? For me I would rather replace my chewed up furniture than come home to a dead dog. Thankfully my dogs don't destroy my house even when they are left home alone.

[observer]

That's why I like the dog door. Unless the fire started in the master bedroom (not likely) Missy could very likely get herself out into the yard if something happened in the house, long before the fire department would get there.

[rottcrazed]

A wonderful lady I train with who has been a CKC obedience judge now for a number of years recently had her life crumble down around her. Her house burned down VERY fast and hot, with all three of her dogs crated in the house. The house was totalled in a matter of hours. There was nothing anyone could have done.

I trained with her the day before it happened.

The investigation found that the furnace was at fault.

The clean up crew found the remains the dogs. She cremated the remains and they will now be buried on her property.

Our club is buying mature trees, 4 of them (they had recently PTS one of their dogs) which we are going to plant for them, place a park bench with a plaque for them, and where they can bury their fur-kids and sit and be with them.

You bet that was a nightmare - the worst possible thing you can think could happen. I have thought about it myself almost daily when I go out and leave the dogs. BUT, I would still not feel comfortable leaving my dogs outside while I am gone. Although there are some safety issues in the home, there are far too many variables I cannot control outside to risk it.

Kristi

[BostonRott]

If dogs are to be left outside in secured kennels, within a secured high (minimum 6ft fence) fence, I would be SURE that there was a "solid" top on the kennels. Something that the dogs can't climb out of (3 of my 4 dogs, from standing, can clear the top of a 6' kennel with a simple jump), and something that will prevent people from throwing in poisoned meat.

Most of the house fires that I have been to in the past 10 years have NOT been started by faulty wiring. 80% of them have either been a candle or a cigarette. I would be far less worried about highly unlikely things (wiring catching fire) than unpredictable things (screwy neighbors).

[AlphaLeader]

Again, I am grateful for where I live. If someone wants to poison your animal and is determined, they will find a way. As for children... there aren't any under 17 within a mile of me and having no gate makes it rather difficult for anyone to wander in... as they would have to combat the electric wire at the top and bottom of the fencing. (This is so that my chickens might live peacefully outside of said fence)

I enjoy having a pack of 6 but there is no way that I could manage them and work and raise a child and give the hubby attention and have them ALL inside and worry about them constantly. So, rottis in when I'm not home (and when I am mostly) and truthfully, that's because they're the brains of the bunch and the most likely to get into trouble. I don't think that electric wire will stop Tucker (120 pounds) if he were angry and while I can't imagine what would make him that angry, I won't chance it. And too, there is a clear preference as to what the dogs prefer... trying to keep some dogs inside while they do nothing but beg to be out would make anyone crazy.

I know I'm lucky to live where I am... as I said before... if I lived closer to people, things would have to be different. I would simply only own the amount of dogs that I could manage inside all of the time... and for me, that's three. The rotts and the 11 yr old female border collie that is my daughters shadow... otherwise known as her highness or the queen and that rules the pack with an iron muzzle.

Grace

[winniecnm]

We have been lucky enough that most of our 6 years owning these dogs has been spent in VERY rural areas, and we can safely feel like getting out of the house while allowing our dogs to remain outside in a very secure pen.

We have a roof that is framed wood, horse stall mats on the inside to prevent digging, 4 feet of plywood on each panel to prevent them from being teased, and the kennel is locked. Then on top of that, we are planning to get a secondary stockade fence around the property (we just moved in Feb) with no gate - so it only acessable from the inside of the house. Our neighbors have not even figured out that we own dogs yet.

I think common sense has to take over at some point - unfortunately a lot of dog owners just don't have a sense of what people can do to be cruel to animals. Especially teenagers - they are the worst. In NM, we had teens burning dogs, shooting dogs, stealing dogs, fighting dogs...it was terrible. I was sooo glad we lived on base!

If I lived in an urban area there is no way I would let the dogs outside without constant supervision. I have heard too many horror stories.

[Frost]

My friend recently (within the past month) has had a tragedy similar to that of your lady friend. He, both his parents, and all of his animals were inside when a fire started. Luckily his parents were on the first floor and could get out quickly. However, he was stuck in a second story room. His 2 dogs and single cat were stuck somewhere else on the second floor. It took very little time for the fire travel to his room. Unable to breathe, the only thing he could do was crawl out the window, falling 17 feet to the grass below.

He was lucky though. He escaped with a broken leg/ankle. However, his pets could do nothing other than be burned alive by the smoldering fire. This is an unlikely occurance, but one that I thought I should share with you.