While certain conditions warrant keeping your pet indoors, that's not his natural habitat; dogs benefit physically and mentally from exercising, playing and generally being outdoors. Did You Know? Pets that are kept indoors all the time get bored and can develop neurotic behaviors.
While it's not cruel to keep a pet outdoors in mild weather, dogs are pack animals who thrive with companionship and being close to their owners. So it's only natural that they will be happiest spending time with the family. A dog kept solely outside experiences social isolation and may bark or howl out of loneliness.
Most experts agree: Cats and dogs are better off as indoor pets.
Most experts agree you shouldn't leave your adult dog alone for more than eight to 10 hours, but some dogs (especially ones with small bladders) can't last that long. DO prepare your dog before you go.
Your dog may be okay with being locked up for a while but it is not a good thing for her. As long as she has water and shade, being outside for those hours is a much better choice.
Not only do dogs love being outdoors because it offers them a sense of that hereditary freedom, but they also can roam and explore. They love a change of scenery. Particularly if your dog has been at home throughout the day, a chance to get outside allows their senses to reawaken in a whole new way.
Generally speaking, most dogs benefit from anywhere between 30 minutes to two hours of exercise per day. Try to walk for at least 30 minutes per day; depending on the breed, age, and health of your dog, you can increase the length of your walks or the intensity of the physical activity.
While potty breaks are essential, they do not provide enough physical activity to meet a dog's health and exercise needs, so pet parents should also make time for dog walks. The average adult dog needs three to four regular walks a day, though your dog's age and breed can affect that number.
"I read somewhere that, not too many years ago, 80 percent of dogs lived outside. Today, 80 percent live inside," said Tom Berger, co-owner of The Pretentious Pooch, a dog boutique in Baltimore.
Dogs are sociable animals and love company, but although it is good practice that they learn to be home alone for a period of time, it is not advisable to leave them alone for very long periods, like overnight. Many dogs feel worried when they are left on their own, especially if they have been used to having company.
Separation anxiety is triggered when dogs become upset because of separation from their guardians, the people they're attached to. Escape attempts by dogs with separation anxiety are often extreme and can result in self-injury and household destruction, especially around exit points like windows and doors.
On average, dogs need to go outside at least 3 to 5 times per day to have the opportunity to relieve themselves. Veterinarians recommend that adult dogs go no more than 6-8 hours between trips outdoors.
Most dogs—unless they are obese and have a short snout (like a bulldog) and do not have access to shade and water—will do just fine outside even in the summer.
Impawtant Note: While it's common for dogs to sleep in crates at night, we don't recommend that you keep your dog in a crate for more than a couple hours during the day. Before you go back to the office, make sure your dog is fully potty trained so they do not have to stay in a crate at all while you're gone.
Some dogs are left outside because they shed and their owners want to keep their houses clean. Other dogs are locked out because of destructive behavior or other bad behavior. And yet other dogs are left out in the cold because someone in the household is allergic to them.
The Pit Bull is the most common dog breed (along with pit bull breed mixes) found in shelters in the United States. They are also the most abused, neglected, and the most euthanized.
There is nothing wrong with being out for hours with your dog, but you should combine running around with outside training exercises and calming low impact games such as 'find it' (sprinkling food on the ground for your dog to find).
Boredom Equals Bad Behavior
And dogs who aren't getting enough exercise become something worse than couch potatoes. “If you're not walking your dog enough or providing them with enough playtime, they can become anxious or destructive,” says Dr. Sara Ochoa, a veterinarian at Whitehouse Veterinary Hospital.
While it's fine to walk your dog in the rain, you should try to avoid getting them completely drenched. Just like we'd put on our coats for a walk in the rain, you might want to consider a doggy raincoat to protect dogs from the weather and prevent them from getting soaked through.
We encourage you to contact local law enforcement agencies because pets left outside in extreme temperatures, especially without food or shelter, are at risk of hypothermia, frostbite and even death. Their owners are at risk of facing criminal charges.
While not all dogs are alike, most adult dogs should be able to go outside to relieve themselves about three to five times a day (more often if they are sick or elderly) and shouldn't be forced to “hold it” for more than four to six hours at a time, on average.
A puppy that's bored when left alone in a fenced yard, for example, may turn to barking to burn off pent-up energy or just to hear the sound of its voice. Another dog may decide to dig its way under the backyard fence to seek more exciting things to do.
Dogs need physical and mental stimulation, and when it is not provided through adequate exercise and training, they will seek stimulation where they can. Getting you to let them in and out, and then actually getting to go in and out, is a great way for them to get a rush and feel in charge all at the same time.
Dogs love to walk because they know instinctively that it's good for them. Walking your dog helps them stay healthy, provides a chance for him to explore, and promotes a sense of bonding between you and your pet.
Outdoor dogs sometimes become a problem to their owners. Bored and lonely, these animals are at an increased risk for developing any number of bad habits, such as digging craters in the yard, barking endlessly day and night and becoming chewers of outdoor furniture, sprinkler heads and siding.