Keeping Dogs Outside

Are you serious?????? Is that really all the time you spend with your dogs, and then when you do it's intensive training? You actually SIT in the field and let them run around you?? And 2 of these dogs are half Border Collie - no wonder they are all hyper! We have 4 BCs who all live outside. 3 are working sheep dogs and the other is my pet. Whether or not the 3 workers are out among the sheep or not, they are all walked first thing, together. Then again at lunchtime, and finally early evening. Most of the time they are out on the farm all day. BUT if we are away for the day they have a VERY long walk before we leave, and are walked again when we get back. NOT just let out for a run around, but actually walked.

You mentioned one dog is being trained on the lead still, after 2 years......why? And why is it taking so long?? Dogs need freedom to run around, smell interesting smells, play etc. If you don't have the time or energy for them it would be kinder to rehome.

Might come across a bit harsh, but it's my opinion.
 
gerbilgirl, thats a fair combination of working/ intelligent breeds you've got! As you only 16, at school, studying hard - I hope:) - I can understand the time you have for your family dogs must be limited. I think your parents need to step up and get involvedl. As a young girl you are doing the best you can but ultimately the reponsibility for the dogs are your parents. What involvement do they have with the dogs?
 
i really think this girl's parents need to take more responsibility - the more i read her posts the more frustrated i get and im not being deliberately unkind. this girl was also posting recently about becoming a trainer, and getting another dog for her younger siblings to train!! The girl obviously doesnt have a clue and a responsible adult needs to step in here....
 
It's great that you spend time playing with your dogs, but dogs are animals that need to cover distance (if that makes sense), staying in one place and playing/training is not going to satisfy them as moving across fields/parks would. Having a large garden to play/train with your dog is no substitute for taking them for a walk every day at least twice a day. This is what dogs need. Are there no parks around you or footpaths you can take them to?

Also you say you train each dog up to 2 hrs a day. That's 6 hours?!
 
Even if they're on the lead while you train for recall, your parents ought to accompany you on a long evening walk and get the dogs out there into the world. I commend you for trying, but you do need to make adjustments to the dogs' schedule.
 
I have 4 dogs kenneled,
Akita 9 years old
Deerhound 13 years old (on the 17th April) lol, pointless info but true:D
Whippet x grey x staff 4 years old
Little shaggy x breed 2 and abit years old

The akita and deerhound have always lived out, the akita is a hairy bear and cannot tolerate the heat, she actually lies out on the paving and will not go in the kennel and will drag her beds out:D, deerhound was born in a kennel.
the other 2 younger ones are out because they are rescues I have kept and I need space as have more indoors:D
They are walked for 1-2 hours every day depending on if it's a field walk or a run for them:D they are mostly lurcher types so they chase and chase and chase one another for miles, or a walk around the nature reserve (mostly by my OH, unless im not on shift then I join him), akita on the lead, old dithery deerhound sauntering about and the younger 2 blasting around covering alot of ,milage with the indoor dogs as they also get the same exercise daily and they are usually paggered when we get home because we have a ball thrower and they all love it:D or they go swimming, esp in the nice weather.
I have a big garden too, and there run doors are usally always open especially in the summer for them to mooch around the garden and come in and out of the house or dog room.

When I read the OP, I did have to look twice, I read as it they get 5-10 mins on a treadmill a day and a walk once a week but not daily as you are busy.
 
First of all, I'm very jealous of the OP's treadmill. We could save two hours a day with one, but I'm not sure our new terrier (outdoor with the previous owner with the run of a small garden, now happily indoor, sleeping on beds etc) would be impressed. One walk a week and the rest of the time just garden sessions seems rather low. How big is the garden?

6' x 20' seems a pretty small space for three largish dogs to spend so much time. Would it be possible to at least make this larger?
 
The garden is about half an acre. I don't understand why one form of exercise is different from any other, considering that, should I walk them on the road, it would be the same two mile block every day?

There is a park half a mile up the road, but it's literally a quarter of an acre, and always full of children. I would hate to put one of the dogs in a situation where they would bite a child.

My mum and dad have no interest in the dogs, but I knew this when I was taking them on. I wouldn't expect them to find time around work and my six younger brothers to help with the dogs.

The three dogs are never walked for 2 hours each on the same day lol, they only get two hours if I'm having fun with them and time rushes on.

The Collie Husky type has spent two years on a long line now as, apart from the odd few days when she's being cooperative and remembers that she really should come when she's called, she heads of and chases cows. I don't want that, as she will be shot. If someone thinks they can teach her to recall, I'll stick her in the post now, as we have been to a renowned search and rescue dog trainer, and our regular agility trainer. With both she acts like an angel, at home she's a little brat.

And I would like to think I have a clue, as I haven't killed any of the dogs yet... I'm not bloody stupid.

Now really, I asked for opinions on living outside in general, not on my dogs' lives. I know these dogs are happy.
 
Sorry everyone, I did ask. I really forgot. Please stop commenting now though, I know the dogs are happy. None of my friends would be allowed here regularly enough to help walk them, or dedicated enough to stick at it, and no-one round here offers dog walking as a service, plus I'd be worried about if the dog bit someone etc, I wouldn't be willing to risk that.
 
gerbilgirl said:
The garden is about half an acre. I don't understand why one form of exercise is different from any other, considering that, should I walk them on the road, it would be the same two mile block every day?.
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And therein lies the problem GG - honestly, several people have pointed out the difference in their replies? Dogs need mental stimulation, not just exercise, and that is provided in part by walking them in different surroundings with different smells, sights and sounds for them to look at. I quite understand your reasoning behind keeping one of the dogs on a long line, but quite honestly even if you kept them all on the lead then a walk to the park would be great for them, loads of other dog smells etc to be interested in.

And why would it have to be the same 2 mile block every day? I have lived in rural locations, in villages and in towns and there have always been a variety of possible routes to walk the dogs.

I am at a loss to understand how you can say that your dogs are happy when in your OP you state that they are all hyper :(

ETA - and if you are so worried about them biting someone (which I can understand in this day and age) then muzzle them when you take them out :)
 
GH put it much better than I did. ;)

Watch any dog behaviour program on the tele and you'll see all the behaviourists saying that dogs need to be walked. I have a big back garden just isn't the same.
 
About interacting with animals within the house. We have 11 cats who are in and out of the house all day. We also have a wood pigeon (unsuitable for release as I had to hand rear him), a chinchilla, a gecko and quite a few hamsters/gerbils. So we are in no way a 'clean' house (I still manage to have hay fever and a lot of allergies though :P ).

To be honest, I think daddy's thing against dogs is based on the loss of his GSD a few years ago, yes he lived in the house and used to let us crawl round him, etc., and daddy really misses him, but can't see past it to love the dogs we have now.
 
gerbilgirl said:
The garden is about half an acre. I don't understand why one form of exercise is different from any other, considering that, should I walk them on the road, it would be the same two mile block every day?
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But they are different! A short-lead walk to heel is different to a walk off the lead in a public park is different to a walk off the lead up a mountain/cross-country/on the beach/through the woods is different to a recall training session on a long line is different to attending a group training class is different to chasing a ball in the garden is different to pulling a sled/herding sheep/following a scent... need I go on?

All fulfill different needs and some breeds thrive on more of one type than the other. You'll never get the husky x to come back reliably but that is no excuse for not walking the poor bugger, be it on a long line or harnessing (excuse the pun) the natural urge to run and pull by simulating a working situation.

A 'hyper' dog is not a happy dog.
 
I actually feel sorry for you OP as you seem to be trying to cope with your dogs with no parental support. I do wonder at any rescue letting you have a dog purely because of your age and the fact that your parents aren't interested. I don't quite understand how your fathers loss of his GSD can stop him caring for any other dogs, I think most of us have lost dogs who were very special, but we are still able to love our current dogs.
Slightly o/t I certainly wouldn't consider getting a dog for your younger siblings to train as it would def be too much for you. Do you go to an agility training club, is there not anyone there who would help you walk the dogs?
You may not have asked for, or like some of the responses you have had, but please consider what has been written.
 
Yes, I go to a training club, but as its 20 miles down the road (that's the nearest one), I don't think anyone from there would be able to walk the dogs for me ;)
 
I feel sorry for you, I'm not trying to be patronising btw! You are clearly doing what you think is best but as you have probably gathered from all the replies, it's certainly not what any of us would recommend or do ourselves. That's not because we are trying to give you a hard time or anything but with a wealth of experience and knowledge between us I reckon you would do well to take at least some of what has been said on board and appreciate that whilst you may think that an hour or so of play in the garden is sufficient, it really isn't.

I think you should have a chat with your parents and ask them to give you a hand walking the dogs, even if it's every other day that would be a start. If they don't have time then would they consider hiring a dog walker? As I said, this isn't said with the intention of having a go at you or making you feel bad but rather with the dogs best interest at heart :)
 
I think it's fairly obvious why you have a recall problem with the collie X. Their instincts are to herd, the dog is spending far too much time being bored, then when it sees the opportunity to have some fun, it's in no hurry to come home.

Do you have a biting problem with all of the dogs, or just one?
 
I wouldn't call it a biting problem, however I wouldn't put any of my dogs in a situation where they could as much as growl at someone and this be transferred into a claim that they bit. Lola can be dog aggressive when out on the road, in parks, etc., never at training or anything though. She views training as work and really enjoys it, anything else and she acts like its a bother to her.
 
I am going to ask mummy could she spare a couple of hours in the mornings and send the 3 little children who aren't at school to the child minder.

Anyway, now I am off school for Easter I had a really nice walk with them today. Lola off lead (and then she spotted a rabbit :rolls eyes: ), then Polo and Charlie on long lines. I will take photos in the field tomorrow :). They genuinely are happy dogs.
 
gerbilgirl said:
I wouldn't call it a biting problem, however I wouldn't put any of my dogs in a situation where they could as much as growl at someone and this be transferred into a claim that they bit. Lola can be dog aggressive when out on the road, in parks, etc., never at training or anything though. She views training as work and really enjoys it, anything else and she acts like its a bother to her.
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One of my collies can be snappy with other people, I bought a Baskerville (think that's the make) muzzle for when he's "socialising". They can drink, pant, yawn with them on - I highly recommend them. At least you wouldn't have the worry of anything happening.

I'm sorry I've been harsh with you GG, you clearly care about your dogs. I do think that you need a hand with them though. There are a lot of dog lovers out there who would enjoy taking just one of them for a walk for you. Then you could concentrate on the other two. It may be worth asking around?
 
OP-
Sorry im not sure I understand the situation correctly... You have 3 dogs, who all live outside 24 - 7 with only very short training sessions with you per day... oh and the 'treadmill'. And this is the only contact they have? From what you say they all seem to have a tendancy to bite, which cannot be helped by the fact that they are not handled.

I just do not understand how someone can keep animals that way. I understand you are young and I do not seem to sound harsh but I would rather see a dog in a rescue being walked regularly etc than in a little pen forever.

I have 2 dogs, a border terrier and a rhodesian ridgeback. The ridgeback is very wary of people and could bite. She is 12 this year and really slowing down. She only gets 2 very short walks a day at about 20 mins each, just to stretch her legs and mind a bit. She has aways worn a choke chain and is walked through fields, on the lead at all times. She is a big powerfull dog but I will not stop walking her because she *could* bite someone, I take all responsible measures to ensure this does not happen.
My terrier is slightly dog agressive, he is walked for about 2 hours a day and is 14 this year, he is simply not allowed off the lead if we see another dog and I warn other dog owners that he may snap.

Walking dogs is about more than pure exercise, it allows dogs to unwind and see new things. Cooping a dog up will only make new things more scary / make them more agressive etc.

I am sorry if I have rambled or been harsh, I want you to understand that your excuses for not taking your dogs out are terrible... My big dog has walked the same 3 walks her entire life and she still loves it.

Your dogs are not toys, their mentalk welfare is important aswell as physical.
 
OP, if you don't understand the difference between training them in your garden for an hour/two hours or ten minutes - and a proper walk, I really do wonder if you are suitable for all these dogs.

The facts are simple, dogs, expecially your husky cross are made to cover miles upon miles every day and you think from their kennel to a training area is sufficient excercise for them? Even that hour of brain training cannot really compensate for travel and the relaxation a dog gets from a proper walk.

You only have to switch on the TV to see Caesar rollerskating or cycling with his dogs - he'd likely have a fit at your idea of sufficient excercise.

Not one of us here can say we have perfect lives for our dogs really, but part of being a good dog owner and an adult is realising when you can improve on things and trying to do so.

You seem to love your dogs and are on your way to being a very good dog person, but please listen to the very knowledgeable people on this forum - they have a lot to offer, if you aren't too proud to listen.
 
The husky cross certianly needs more physical exercise than what is being given it needs to run and to pull, I understand you cant let it off lead I have two of the breed, get yourself a walky dog or springer attachment for your bike and get it out running then you`ll see a genuinely happy dog
 
I am very late into this thread and I see that it is six pages long already!!

I just wanted to add though that I am allowing my own 16 yr old son his own dog and have constructed a suitable kennel and run for all the dogs. My dogs are kennelled too, but only when we are out at work or school - the rest of the time they are in the house or out with us.

I too have very needy dogs (a springer for example!!) and I am lucky enough to make sure that he gets enough exercise and stimulation to keep him healthy - not an easy task I may add!

The difference being between us though is that my 16yr old son has my backing and the knowledge that I will make sure his dog has all its needs met, most importantly the exercise needed for such a breed.

I feel desperately sorry that your parents aren't quite as supportive over your dogs needs and I can see that you love the dogs dearly and do what you can - its difficult to fit it all in with a school and social life.

However, if you compare your dogs lifestyle to the many thousands of dogs that are left at home alone all day and walked in the park for 10 minutes when its not raining, I think they are probably quite priviledged to have you as an owner :)

Don't forget that dogs, like horses, muscle and have the fitness to what they are used to - my spaniel is unbelievably fit and muscly because he comes riding with me everyday but there are plenty out there who are pets and have no knowledge of that kind of lifestyle.

Some of the top field trial trainers have their dogs kennelled 23 hours a day!

So, don't beat yourself up, lots of dogs prefer to be in a kennel than in a house if that is what they are used to - just try, if you can, to get the dogs out a bit more often - a good walk once a day will do you and the dogs a wealth of good :)
 
Thank you Ravenwood, your comment about the dogs who are only walked when its not raining has made me a lot happier, as that is what it's like around here. There is a large amount of dogs in the housing estate up the road who just wander the estate, and have probably never seen a lead.

And you should see the fitness Lola and Polo, those dogs have escaped and chased the cows next door for more than 2 hours without stopping, and when caught they still don't be panting, only tired from the mental stimulation of the herding scenario, as they do be after work in the garden. I could walk them around the road for hours.

Sadly, I was never able to exercise the dogs with horses, my cousin and I tried a lot with Lola when she was little but she never got the idea that horses weren't for barking at and chasing (even after she got kicked...). I quit horse riding last year, because I didn't have the time to exercise at least two ponies every day (my cousins) and get the dogs out.

And just a little side note, Charlie has been with us for a year today. Last night a year ago was spent by me sitting on the patio door step waiting for this terrified dog to approach me. He's an entirely different dog now!
 
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