Need help regarding a 'should I get a dog?' question and can I keep one outside?

[shadypines]

Hi, DD 12yrs has been pining for a dog for years. I would love to be able to oblige but two things have always worried me.

1. I'm not keen on having a dog around the house EXCEPT in my back room off the kitchen where floor is washable.
   
   
2. I worry about leaving the dog alone when I am at work for 2 and half days per week.
   
   So my main questions are do people keep dogs outside at all, at least most of the time? Are there decent kennels available that are easy to be cleaned and are comfortable for dog (keep it warm etc) And can I leave a dog on its own all day, would it be ok, what about the pooping situation?!
   
   Any advice re these questions or any other helpful stuff you can tell me would be really appreciated. Thanks.

[AnAwfullyGoodOxymoron]

Please do not get a dog.

[Madratlady]

It doesn't sound like you actually want a dog, more that you're considered getting one because your dd wants it. Chances are you will do the majority of the looking g after it, if she loses her enthusiasm for dog walks in the rain, if she leaves home when she's older and can't take it, when she's in her teens and wants to go out and stay out overnight (not that I'm criticising your dad, she might be a fantastic, responsible dog owner, but it's a lot of responsibility for a 12yo)

Sorry if I've interpreted your op wrong, you just don't sou d too enthusiastic about the idea of getting a dog.

[Costacoffeeplease]

+1 do not get a dog

[AnAwfullyGoodOxymoron]

I'll answer your questions too.

1. In this country people do not keep their dogs outside most of the time, any that do probably have really pissed off neighbours from it barking all the time. Plus it's too cold in winter.
   

1. Dogs shouldn't really be left alone all day, it's stressful for them 9/10 and they spend the day pacing/howling/barking/chewing stuff
   

1. Yes, dogs poo, they need at least 2 walks a day, depending on the breed anything from 1/2 hour to a couple of hours is needed each walk.

[AnAwfullyGoodOxymoron]

9/10 times it's stressful for them

[NickiFury]

No you should not get a dog. Dogs are hard work but immensely rewarding. You don't sound like your dog would be part of your family, which would be crap for the dog.

[BitterAndTwistedChoreDodger]

If YOU want a dog and are happy to make all lifestyle changes to make you and a dog happy, then go for it. This sounds like the equivalent of you wanting to get a hamster and shove it in a back room for your DD to feed and clean out once a week.

I really wouldn't. I know it sounds harsh but dogs are a huge commitment and unfortunately lose the puppy cuteness at about the time they get big with teenager traits. I have often thought that if dogs stayed looking like puppies until they actually grew up then the rescues may have a (slightly) smaller mountain to climb.

[WeAllHaveWings]

A dog needs to be part of your family. Doesn't sound as if you are able to give a dog what it needs.

A few things to put you off:

• Needs walked around 2 x 1 hours a day rain, wind, snow, dark evenings
• Needs more time training and playing with
• Wet wellies, clothes, towels - lots of them
• Your dd will probably be bored of the dog within a few weeks, she will love it but wont be bothered with walking, training. It will be your dog.
• They poo and you need to pick it up, firm or wet and loose - its lovely!
• They will kill your grass with their pee.
• You can't leave outside as they might bark and upset you neighbours
• You can't leave in a room by themselves in the back of the house they need to be part of your family, not a toy in a toy box.
• When you let them into you home expect to find dog hair everywhere
• Expect your home to smell of wet dog for at least 6 months of the year

You've gotta love and want a dog. It doesn't sound like you do.

Oh, and they cost nearly £100 a month if you do it right (good insurance, parasite treatment, good quality food, toys etc)

[Cataline]

Bloody hell -PLEASE don't get a dog. It would have an utterly miserable life.

[twentyten]

Dd begged for years. We gave in- had had a dog in the past but it was an absolute nightmare for over a year. Massive impact on house/ health/ relationships. Don't. Hamster instead?

[PricillaQueenOfTheDessert]

As above really. Don't get a dog if you don't want it in the house. The dog will pine when you are in and not able to be with you. It's not good at all to want to keep it outside, it will probably bark and annoy the neighbours, but that will be because it is stressed and probably will suffer seperation anxiety. If it's hot it could dehydrate and if cold could get hypothermia. It's a long term commitment too, and I would place money on you rehoming it once the reality has sunk in.

[WaffleWiffle]

Another vote for you should not get a dog. You don't sound like you really want one.

[TrinityRhino]

please dont get a dog. you clearly dont want one and you arent going to care for it properly.

[mistlethrush]

My attitude is, if you're happy being there, it's fine for the dog - in our family, that means, if we're prepared to sit outside in the rain / cold It's OK for the dog to wait for us with us - if its too cold / wet to have our coffee outside, its also too cold for the dog. So if you're prepared to live outside with the dog, fair enough, get one. But if you're not prepared to live out there with the dog full-time, don't get one. In my experience, dogs want to be with you - so shutting them out of the room you probably spend most of the time in when you're downstairs means that you don't actually want a dog.

[handcream]

You sound really daft tbh. You will be cleaning up after a dog all of the time. They smell, YOU will be looking after it, not your dd.


Why do are you considering having a dog ouside most of the time? What would be the point of that?


Please don't get one...

[AlpacaYourThings]

Oh honestly, please do not get a dog. Just don't.

The fact you are even asking questions like this rings alarm bells.

[cosikitty]

You do not sound like a dog person.

Only get a dog if you are 100% committed to it and it will be like one of the family. Unless you are happy for dog to sleep on your bed you are not right for the dog.

[Whoknowswhocares]

You sound like a totally unsuitable person to have a dog.
You don't want mess, to involve a dog in your life or home and want to shut it away like some sort of inconvenience whenever you DD doesn't want to play with her new 'toy'
Oh and just for the record, it is totally unreasonable and downright cruel to do what you are considering.

[sooperdooper]

Just don't get a dog, it's not for you

[ggirl]

Get a cat instead

[TheReluctantCountess]

Don't get a dog. You are not a dog person.

[IdaClair]

I have a dog and I would not in any circumstances allow it to sleep on my bed, or in my room, or allow it upstairs. What an odd criterion for suitability for dog ownership.

I love said dog and love dogs generally and the animals in my home are well cared for, properly, yet my bed remains a human only zone and yes, the dog sleeps in a back room off the kitchen with its own bed and blanket and water bowl etc.

Op, if you do not want a dog in your house, do not get a dog, it's really that simple. In not too many years your dd can have her own home and her own dog if she chooses, for now, no. Not unless you are actually willing to let it in (literally and figuratively)

[Merrylegs]

I will go against the grain and say yes, where I live in the UK many people do keep dogs outside. Rural and farming or country estates. But these people are interested in their dogs. They work them and train them. The kennels are tall fenced enclosures with a cosy yet spacious house and an outside run. If you have this kind of set up and a plan for the dog's day to day routine then it could work. Is this what you had in mind?

[SpicyBear]

I second all the posters saying not to do this. Dogs are sensitive social animals and deserve much better than someone who doesn't even want them in the house. Dogs require affection, exercise and stimulation every single day.

I think it's pretty clear from the OP merry that the OP is not envisioning anything like a working dog set up. She has no interest in training a dog to do a job and quite frankly seems extremely ignorant of their needs.

[EmpressOfJurisfiction]

I agree the op shouldn't get a dog but I think people should go easier on her. She freely admits to not knowing much and at least she's come here to ask questions and get advice rather than just buying a dog regardless.