how to train a dog to become an outside dog...

[nina04]

please help! we don't want him to start having separation anxiety or become too lonely! We just feel that he's become too big to be inside, we are planning on having our first baby and think the shedding is too much...any suggestions?

[katiem]

Exactly how big is "too big to be inside"? I can't imagine he's bigger than you or your SO, and you can live inside perfectly well.

Edit: He's a Border Collie, so he's only a medium sized dog.

Having a child shouldn't mean dumping your dog out in the yard. Dogs and babies can co-exist peacefully if you take the time and start training your dog now. Many trainers will ever do a baby safety crash course for your dog.

As for shedding, check into his diet and brush him more often. Or vacuum more often.

[_Lisa_]

If I could give more thanks to Katie's post I would!

[special]

If I could give more thanks to Katie's post I would!

I'll add mine!

[pipsie71]

And me! I agree with everything she said, Pip

[That_girl]

Can you imagine how it would feel to be outside one day and then go to go in the house with your beloved owner, only to have the door slammed in your face? How could you look into those eyes and tell them, nope, just because you grew up and are shedding, you can't come in. How aweful.

Dogs are social animals. They need to be with their people. Dogs do not do well outside. My in-laws have an outside only dog. That dog gets fed 2 times a day and that's it. No walks. No love. Just 5 minutes of human interaction. That's not a life for a dog.

Start training your dog as Katie suggested. Millions of people have dogs and then have babies. They don't dump their dogs. Dogs are part of the family and don't deserve to be dumped just because you have a baby.

[CKelly976]

please help! we don't want him to start having separation anxiety or become too lonely!

are you moving outside with him to prevent that?

We just feel that he's become too big to be inside,

so you didn't look into the breed before you bought it then?

we are planning on having our first baby and think the shedding is too much...any suggestions?

I suggest if you cannot commit to a dog you do not have a child. What happens when your child gets too big and mouthy and starts leaving messes around the house, are you going to put him outside in a cage too?

the only issue between dogs and babies are those issues created by the owner of the dog. If you cannot find it in your heart to commit to and properly take care of an animal what in gods name would make you think you can do this with a baby? Kids require more commitment than any dog you could ever own.

[pugpillow]

I've come to the conclusion that there are two types of people in the world. Those who get a dog for what the dog can give them (Type 1), and those who get a dog fro what they can give the dog (Type 2). Rescuers are in Type 2, cleaning up the messes/bad decisions that those in Type 1 make.

[e1beth1]

My brother in law and his wife will be new parents within a week. They have 4 large dogs, a golden and 3 lab/springer spaniel mixes. They fenced in their back yard with the anticipation that the dogs will want to get away from the baby for a while each day but they sleep, eat and spend as much time as they want inside. There wasn't even a consideration on their part as to putting the dogs out full time. Give your dog more credit than you have, perhaps the exposure to a few germs and hair will prevent your child from become allergic to everything and sick all the time. Children should not be raised in a bubble, it does them no good.

[Llamalady]

I don't believe in dogs outside. Because of this, my husband and I will never have a dog, because he doesn't believe in having dogs inside, and I don't believe in them being outside. Especially up here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where it's cold sometimes 9 months out of the year.

A border collie, with its intelligence especially does not need to be left outside, without interaction and stimulation or else they will definitely become a problem dog because they will get bored and start acting out.

I live in a very very small apartment with two cats. But I have lived in an apartment just a bit bigger with a rottweiler, an australian shepherd / lab / chow mix, a litter of kittens, two birds, and three full grown cats, so I just want to let you know that it's going to be okay. You'll find a way to make it work out! And a border collie is intelligent enough to be able to figure out where to fit into the household even with a baby coming and there are lots of people that can help you here to figure that out! The hair issue, is something that you can work on with brushing, and baths, but of course a dog shedding, is natural.

And I totally agree with elbeth about the allergy issues. By having an animal in the household, you help your children bolster their immunities in a natural and safe manner. I know this because I used to be allergic to almost EVERYTHING (almost the bubble girl) and I grew up with two cats, two dogs, two fish, a frogs, two gerbils, and 17 birds. I am now able to withstand just about any animal. Not to say that you should inundate your house with animals, but I'm just letting you know that animals are not a bad idea. And they teach your child so much about unconditional love, and responsibility. Those are never bad things for your kid to learn! :)

[DoggieVogue]

The truely sad part is that this is how much it actually happens. :(

[JessLough]

wow, this is sad. You obviously did not put any thought into the dog before getting it. This is a situation you should ALWAYS think of, before getting a dog. My suggestion: rehome the dog. Give him to somebody who will love him for his life, not just until something new to love comes along. He will not be happy outside, it is not fair to him to expect that. Congratulations, you just become another reason why humanity is sickening.

[LadyPirate]

Why would you do that? I would feel like I was putting my child outside to do that to Lucy and Annie! Dogs love their humans so much and they don't ask for anything from us except companionship and to be loved in return.

Border collies are highly intelligent and usually good with children. My DD had 2 when her boys were small and they were great with them!

If you feel there is too much hair, vacuum more often. I have 2 dogs and 2 cats who allow me to share their home. I vacuum twice a day most days. It isn't too much to do and be entertained and loved by them in return.

[Catslave]

Have had dogs and cats all my life my pets have always been a part of my childrens and now my grandchildrens lives with the right sort of supervision and training there need not be any problems I'm sure with a bit of thought you can work it out so you can have it both ways..my daughter put childproof doors on her babies door so the dog could see in and see the child but not go in and he never had a problem..my grandaughter loves my cat goes crazy every time she sees it lucky the cat is too quick for her.

[Macawpower58]

lmao.......the OP came back on Nov. 8th, must have checked this thread to see what advice we'd given.

Then ran for the hills. I doubt they'll be back!

[Kkye]

lmao.......the OP came back on Nov. 8th, must have checked this thread to see what advice we'd given.

Then ran for the hills. I doubt they'll be back!

I really don't blame them. My first ever thread on this site went from "why does she pee here and here and not there" to a whole flop about the fact that Kye was going to be an outside/inside dog, moreso an outside dog.

Just from what I felt there, this person probably more than likely felt ganged up on and some of the things said were really unfair. I wonder how on earth I'm going to manage two dogs (for now) when I have kids to deal with as well. Not that it's not doable, but maybe some honestly think it's the only way.

Also, alot of people don't think like we do. Some people may not understand how it'll affect their dog, cuz it's "just a dog" and who knows, maybe this dog loooooved to be outside. I know Rio would stay out day and night if I let her.

I believe the original question was "how do I train my dog to become an outside dog"...and no training advice was given, just our opinions. I understand that we all want what's best for the dog, but AGAIN, if we maybe juts use a little bit of tact and compassion, and actually got to talk to this person, maybe we could have made him/her realize that it wasn't so bad, and that they could deal with it and maybe set them straight on a few things. Then, maybe the dog wouldn't be kicked outside cuz of the baby. But no, she'll have her baby and she won't know what else to do other than kick her dog outside.

We're here to give advice, not shoot someone down cuz they don't know better. We've all been completely ignorant at some point, none of you can say you weren't.

edit to add: I do agree with lots of the posts made, I thanked a few as well but I don't remember who. It just makes me sad we chased her off by being so..blunt.

[Macawpower58]

In case you don't know this Madison, I agree with you 100%. Sometimes I just approach things sideways.

Everything said here was correct. Could have been worded a little more gently though, especially if this member really wanted to do the right thing, but didn't know what the right thing was, or how to do it.

[dlaura]

In case you don't know this Madison, I agree with you 100%. Sometimes I just approach things sideways.

Everything said here was correct. Could have been worded a little more gently though, especially if this member really wanted to do the right thing, but didn't know what the right thing was, or how to do it.

I agree with you Becky. Although I did throw my thanks in here and there, I should have also tried to share how the OP could have had other options. Just difficult sometimes to just .............well you know.

[theresa92841]

And really, do you really want to give training advice about something you don't think is adviseable to do? I mean, I never replied because I would never want to give advice on how to make your dog an outside dog. I can understand that folks have outside dogs, but I personally would not advocate taking an inside dog and shunting it to the backyard. So why would I give somebody training advice on how to do that?

[Macawpower58]

Not training advice Theresa.

Tips on how to handle her situation might have been a better idea though, than the remarks she got.

I also though let this one slip by me...:(

[special]

Not training advice Theresa.

Tips on how to handle her situation might have been a better idea though, than the remarks she got.

I also though let this one slip by me...:(

the op asked for "training advice" on how to make her family dog an outside dog. I agree with theresa, since people do not think her dog should be banished to outside, why would they give advice on how to do it?

Other posters gave reasons why what the op is considering was not good for the dog.

Katie and Catslave both gave useful suggestions on how to manage with dog and baby in the house, at least. :)

Others weren't quite so polite, but in my opinion no one quite crossed the line to offensive. It's an emotional issue, since we are pet lovers here.

It's hard not to take things like this personally. People look at their own beloved pets and think about how awful it would be for any of them to be banished to the yard, after living in the bosom of the family for the pet's whole life,so responses are naturally going to be straight from the heart.

[CKelly976]

I'll accept my place as the mean one that told her if she can't handle a dog she shoudn't breed herself, but in my own lame defense I feel as strongly about irresponsible human breeding as I do about irresponsible dog breeding.

I know with as attached as my dog and cat are to me, and just seeing Sassy's reaction to other kids being in my house I will have a handfull should I ever breed myself, but she won't be booted, I'll just chainsmoke a lot (OUTSIDE NOT INSIDE no smoking around babies) and rant angrily when mark comes home.

I have a hard time being tender, I am a very blunt person, and I really REALLY felt she should probably not have a baby yet? I'm reaching for straws I think...

whoops.

I've felt the brunt end of petlovers before, but after I got upset, I always figured there was a reason everyone reacted as they did and took the advice anyways, maybe she'll actually reconsider making her dog an outside dog? whether she'll come back or not is a whole other question :p

[Macawpower58]

It's hard not to take things like this personally. People look at their own beloved pets and think about how awful it would be for any of them to be banished to the yard, after living in the bosom of the family for the pet's whole life,so responses are naturally going to be straight from the heart.

Maybe I'm cold? Anyway, I didn't take her request personally. I figured, here's a lady, at her wits end. She thinks thrusting the dog outside is her only option. It's my (and everyone else's) job to convince her to try other options.

As for CJKelly saying: I'll accept my place as the mean one that told her if she can't handle a dog she shoudn't breed herself, but in my own lame defense I feel as strongly about irresponsible human breeding as I do about irresponsible dog breeding.

Uneducated is what I'm seeing with the OP. Even human parents make stupid mistakes and bad decisions. While I also deplore her thoughts as the only option, we'll never know now if we could have changed her mind about her decision.

[CKelly976]

Maybe I'm cold? Anyway, I didn't take her request personally. I figured, here's a lady, at her wits end. She thinks thrusting the dog outside is her only option. It's my (and everyone else's) job to convince her to try other options.

As for CJKelly saying: I'll accept my place as the mean one that told her if she can't handle a dog she shoudn't breed herself, but in my own lame defense I feel as strongly about irresponsible human breeding as I do about irresponsible dog breeding.

Uneducated is what I'm seeing with the OP. Even human parents make stupid mistakes and bad decisions. While I also deplore her thoughts as the only option, we'll never know now if we could have changed her mind about her decision.

you're definately not cold Becky, you actually saw the post for what it was, I know that my job with the public (mostly the ignorant underbelly of it) has tainted my view of people and my reactions are always a little more angry and disgruntled than they should be.

I definately saw her as uneducated too, and that is what got me boiling, I think many people thought the same how can you resort to puting your dog outside for a baby thats not even conceived yet? the OP was planning a baby, not having one so it seemed a little premature and as if she hadn't even considered options.

regardless I do know I was a little more out of line than helpful

[special]

Maybe I'm cold? Anyway, I didn't take her request personally. I figured, here's a lady, at her wits end. She thinks thrusting the dog outside is her only option. It's my (and everyone else's) job to convince her to try other options.



I don't think you're cold. Everyone reacts differently.

I tend to be emotional. When I hear of pets being dumped for any reason, my heart breaks, and I can't help thinking about it from a personal point of view, simply because my pets are such an integral part of my life. I know what it would do to my pets to be cast aside, or any of the pets of my family and friends and it ruffles my feathers to think of any other animal having to experience this, also.

But I did not hear a person at her wits end. I heard a person borrowing trouble. they are planningto have a baby and the dog sheds too much, so they want to make the dog live outside?

it's such a.....lame excuse. To me it sounded like just one more person who sees pets as disposable when they become inconvenient.

Suggestions on how to cope were offered. Not exclusively, but how much are we responsible for someone else? We aren't baby sitters.

The person "could" have replied and said, okay, if you don't think we should put him outside, these are our issues, how can we deal with them?

Just the fact that the reactions were so strong "should" have clued this person in to the fact that perhaps this was not the best way to handle things.

In my opinion, of course. :)

[CKelly976]

I

Suggestions on how to cope were offered. Not exclusively, but how much are we responsible for someone else? We aren't baby sitters.

The person "could" have replied and said, okay, if you don't think we should put him outside, these are our issues, how can we deal with them?

Just the fact that the reactions were so strong "should" have clued this person in to the fact that perhaps this was not the best way to handle things.

In my opinion, of course. :)

While to any sensible pet owner strong reactions should clue someone in, the average person with a pet isn't quite so catching.

I felt the same way, and still do, but this is a good point, what actually happened here?

the lady probably saw the responses, was insulted, and figured "these animal lovers" have never had/don't have kids and obviously don't understand or want to. So the dog, who should be the main concern here, will probably end up outside, and yet another person has a reason to snub us "bleeding heard animal lovers" as my husband likes to call me.

I quickly forget and disregard the fact that most people who own pets see them as just animals, and by that they should do fine outside, animals are all outside naturally anyway. it's hard to convince them otherwise, even harder when they're responded to in an angry manner.

[Macawpower58]

Good post CKelly. My thoughts exactly. I know that the majority of pet owners are nothing like petlover members. I (everyone here really) need to tailor my advice to meet their needs. If they were like us, this question would never have been asked.

We (at petlovers) are the elite of pet owners for the most part. While we may not like, even despise the way the 'other' owners operate, we still need to do our best to make them understand how to be better, and how much they're missing by not seeing their pets as we do ours. A soft push is better than a knockout punch most of the time.

[theresa92841]

Ahh, but sometimes it can be a wake up call to somebody to have the truth bluntly put to them, vs pussy footing around and them failing to get the point.

We assume that the poster went away angry and did not take our advice. But we don't really know. She may think about it and have it open the door to her thinking about things in a different way.

And in the absence of any info to the contrary, why isn't that just as believable as she went away and is going to stick her dog outside thinking we are petloving radicals?

[katiem]

Before I posted my answer I went and read her previous posts to get myself familiar with her and her dog. I stand by what I said to her, I don't feel it was mean, and I don't see how I can advise her any differently, as I can't agree with what she wants to do.

To me, it would be like someone asking me advise on how to murder someone. I don't know, but I'll advise you against it, because I don't feel its the right thing to do.