When buying a dog, the question arises for some people whether they should keep the dog indoors or outdoors. Indoors often brings a little more dirt. But is keeping the dog outside a better idea? What do you have to take into account? You better think about that before you bring a dog into your home.
Outside or inside?
Maintenance
A dog that lives indoors will inevitably bring dirt with it. That means taking out the vacuum cleaner and mop once more. But even a dog that lives outside will soil its kennel and night cage with hair, urine and stools. Maintenance then means sanding, hosing down or working with a high-pressure cleaner.
Attention
One of the most glaring problems with outdoor kennels is that a dog can be too easily ignored. Feeding is usually not a problem, but in bad or cold weather the dog will receive little or no attention and exercise. That is of course a completely different story indoors. Also, don’t forget that a dog loves nothing more than being part of the family and spending time with his owner. It is the basis of his happiness.
Not every race
You can also only keep a limited number of dog breeds outside. Dogs with a short coat and / or no undercoat are not suitable for outdoor living. After all, in the cold winter months these animals can barely get out of their sleeping loft because of the cold and that is not a worthy life. In the warm summer months, the heat can play tricks on the dogs, especially the long-haired dog breeds.
Noise
Also keep in mind that a dog will watch outside, even at night. That is, you will experience noise both during the day and at night. In addition to barking, a dog can also howl and howl. This can cause inconvenience to your neighbors and often leads to annoyances that can have far-reaching consequences, such as neighbor quarrels, complaints to the police or even legal proceedings. Moreover, it will not benefit your own night’s sleep. Punishing the dog or getting angry often makes the problem worse. After all, bad attention is also attention. The dog learns that by making noise he will get attention.
Safety
If you bring a dog into your home for safety reasons, know that a dog outside can only sound the alarm from its outside kennel. If there are unwanted guests inside, the dog will not be able to physically intervene to protect you or your family. An indoor dog can also warn its owners in case of smoke or fire. Even when one of his family members shows abnormal behavior due to an accident, illness or acute problem, the dog can point this out to the other family members.
Combination
Keeping the dog indoors and outdoors is not a good solution. Leaving the dog indoors during the day and outdoors at night or vice versa, outdoors during the day and indoors at night, will cause problems for the dog, especially in the colder months. It has to adapt its coat to the changing temperatures during the seasons. This is only possible by sensing its ambient temperature. It is a process that happens gradually. By combining inside and outside, that process will be disrupted, so that the dog suffers from a cold and can become ill. And don’t forget: a dog that lives outside smells more than a dog that is kept inside.
Conclusion
A dog will generally live happier indoors with his family. A dog that lives indoors almost automatically receives the necessary attention. It also contributes to the safety of your home and your family. Apart from that, there are the problems that can occur, such as noise nuisance, odor nuisance, behavior and health problems of your dog. Keeping the dog indoors is therefore preferred.