Opinions on outdoor dog runs?

stencilface

stencilface

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Hi, not posted in here before :)

I would really like a dog now, after seeing a lovely one at the dogs trust this weekend. Now, I work and I won't be able to afford a dog walker every day (I wish I could though!) but might be able to work from home one day a week, and get a dog walker one day a week, and maybe convince my parents to walk him one day a week.

So would it be feasible to have a dog in a pen outside in the daytime, does anyone do this? Obviously with a kennel with warm stuff in and enough room to run around a little and have a wee etc. I don't think I'd be able to tell the dogs trust this though would I, as they wouldn't rehome him to me?

I just wouldn't like to leave him in the house all day, and feel if he was outside he could at least go to the toilet and watch the squirrels, birds and rabbits going past. Don't feel I could properly dog proof my garden (0.3 acres) and am next to a busyish country road.

Do dogs settle easily into that life, or does it take a special type of dog? He is currently at the dogs trust.

Here he is :)

http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/snoopy1077037.aspx
 
Sadly I think Dogs Trust (and RSPCA, among others) won't rehome to anyone planning on keeping the dog outside for any length of time.

I don't have an issue with it personally, if I only had the space and funds mine would be kennelled outside during the day and would be very happy with that arrangement. I would worry about one dog on their own, an established pair would be much better (and sounds like Snoopy would get on with another dog just fine :))
 
All our dogs have been kennelled in runs, as long as they get exercise on either side, lots of human and doggie contact, I see no issue.

I can see our dog runs from several windows of the house, the dogs are usually chewing a bone or a Kong, sleeping, or today, Floofy was watching the robins playing beside him :p he is the first dog who is more of a 'house' dog and TBH my older dog doesn't like being in the house, he overheats dreadfully, paces, whines and asks to be let back out again :o

Unfortunately there are some rescues out there who think it is fine for them to keep their dogs in runs with minimal exercise or stimulation, bouncing off the walls all day and getting kennel stress, for months or years on end, but not for other people to keep them in runs for a few hours a day while they work and then inside at night, in a loving, stable, home setting.

Try a smaller, private rescue or see if you can negotiate with some of the bigger ones?
I like mine to have a roof and have them flagged for cleanliness.
 
I do worry about loneliness, but I have only just convinced my OH to get one dog, I don't think I could trick him into two if they are at the end of the garden.

I was also thinking about bending the truth when it came to the dogs trust...... :p

I'd just like to add also that this isn't a whim of 'I must have a dog now' I have wanted one for years, but work hasn't been helpful. I'm hoping to move jobs in the new year if everything comes off which would allow me more flexibility. And I've just fallen in love with his little face :o

Its funny also who you talk to in the rescues, the manager I'm sure basically said he'd bitten someone when he was homed for 6 weeks, but 2 other members of staff said he lunged at people. I'm not worried if he's a bit of a handful at the start, I have the space and don't live in an urban area, plus have a horse field for him to play in :)
 
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Stencilface said:
I do worry about loneliness, but I have only just convinced my OH to get one dog, I don't think I could trick him into two if they are at the end of the garden.
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Get your foot in the door with one and it's very easy to wear them down about the second, trust me. Give it a year and I'll be working on the third. :p
 
i keep Betty outside in a run with a kennel during the day (usually about 8.30- 5)

she is walked for about 45 mins in the morning before going out in her run. she sleeps all day and gets walked when we get home.

she stays in the house when we are home, and at night time. she was not always kept this way, and adjusted to it very quickly with little bother.

she is happy and healthy, and i think its better for her to be out in the fresh air with the ability to go to the toilet if she needs, than sat around in the house all day.

i think you might have trouble with re-homing centres... i doubt any would give me a dog, which is a bit silly as there is certainly nothing wrong with Betty being kept the way she is. :( i wish you luck though, and hope they can see sense!

( we just used 4 pannels of security fencing to make the run, and paved it with slabs. with a kennel in the middle so she cant get out over the top of the fence!)

eta: betty is an only dog... and she is not lonely!! :D )

x
 
Hmm, thats promising - I just worry that he would bark all day :o

Although I'm sure I could convince parents/neighbours in the first few weeks to keep him quiet. Hmm

Also my sister (on here) is rehoming her dog from the centre on saturday (I blame her for me seeing this one :p ) - also has issues with work, wonder if I could do a two dog kennel?!?! :D

I have no issues with being economic with the truth when it comes to rehoming!
 
betty barked her head off at first... but the water bottle of doom stopped it after one appearance! ;)

my cousin lives across the road, and his wife was on maternity leave, so she let me know that everything was ok. (and my neighbor at the time was an evil wench, who would have complained as quick as a fart if betty had been making a noise!)

she will bark if people come up to the garden/her run, but other than that she just sleeps!
 
Stencilface said:
Hmm, thats promising - I just worry that he would bark all day :o

Although I'm sure I could convince parents/neighbours in the first few weeks to keep him quiet. Hmm

Also my sister (on here) is rehoming her dog from the centre on saturday (I blame her for me seeing this one :p ) - also has issues with work, wonder if I could do a two dog kennel?!?! :D

I have no issues with being economic with the truth when it comes to rehoming!
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Ah yes but my dog is about half the size of the one you've got your eye on!!!
 
As a rescue I would never rule out a dog being kept outside (we have infact) rehomed dogs that are to be kenneled during the day (some of my own are kennel dogs too):p but I would want to see the end product that it was secure and ask you would be likely to return the dog it if barked/chewed the pen and what where you plans for introducing the dog to the pen and if you would take advice on that?

It does not necessarily mean because a dog is in a kennel in a rescue it will be fine/quiet in a new home in the kennel, (plus the noise does not matter in a kennel set up no one to complain near by) for this I would advice the kennel is up and ready for use and the dog is introduced immediately and spends time in there aswell as the house.

Or I would suggest a dog flap and pen coming straight from the back door, so the dog could jump out and have a wee and jump back in:)
 
A dog flap could be a possibility, our back door is so horrid the dog could probably just ram his head through it no problems!

Still have a job convincing the OH though, think I need to have my new job on the table before I commit to anything :( I would like to volunteer up there so I can walk him, but apparently he is a 'staff only' walker due to his behaviour - I really can't see he'd be that hard though! (I mean I can control a horse :p ) :)
 
Solstar said:
my dog came from Dogs Trust Leeds- she's ace! I was slightly economical with the truth, go for it!!
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Ha ha! Excellent :D

I understand why they are cautious with rehoming, but I don't see how a home where someone works can possibly be worse than being in the kennels (even though the new centre is lovely!) as far as the dog is concerned. :)
 
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