by PearlyredTexas

Created on: December 17, 2009   Last Updated: December 18, 2009

I have had several indoor and outdoor pets in my life time of being an owner and most of mine have been trained indoor and then as they got older became outdoor pets. I feel it really depends on the dog breed though and the owners preference as well.  If you live in the country and you choose dogs such as Labradors, border collies or blue heelers well, these dogs need plenty of room to run so that is where they should be outside.  If you own a cockapoo, schnauzer or poodle, then they should be inside dogs because of their sizes. They are less likely to be attacked by night time animals such as wolves if kept indoors where they are safe.  They make great lap dogs so when you are alone they can keep you company but to me this also depends on how well they are behaved or if they have perfect house manners.  Smaller dogs and low energy dogs make better inside pets and usually don't tear up your house. But all puppies do some type of damage when smaller so it is better to confine them to your laundry room or a room in the house where there is less for them to tear up.

I have a border collie and blue heeler and unless the weather is extremely cold below freezing then I bring them inside at night and put them back out during the daytime.  Both of these types of dogs are high energy dogs and they should be outside otherwise you risk them tearing up your house.  Most dogs are territorial so that is again when it will be to each owners choice as to whether they should be inside or outside dogs.  Smaller Breeds are more suited for inside dogs but then again this depends on how well they behaved and are trained.  I know people that have mutts and when they were smaller, they tore up the house and ended up going outdoors so they couldn't destroy the house anymore.  Smaller breed dogs make great companions for elderly people and should stay inside with them as they are their family members.  All of my dogs are like family to me so most of them have always stayed inside unless they were too high energy then I kept them outside.

There are many large breed dogs that are scared of outside noises so then you have to keep them inside or they will get scared and may try to dig out of the yard and run after your car trying to get to you to put them back inside.  If you have a doggie door that is good at the back of your house as long as your yard is fenced in so they can go out and do their daily business and other critters such as skunks and raccoons do not come in and tear up your house.   If you feed a dog early and let him out to “potty” before you leave for work the he may be able to hold it all day but then again it depends on the dog and his energy level again. Most high energy dogs, drink lots of water and take many “potty” breaks. 

I feel every owner should take a dog to an obedience class because they learn how to become more a part of your family. I watch the show the Dog Whisperer every week and Cesar Milan's motto is, “I rehabilitate dogs, I train people” .  To me his statement is oh so very true.  Every thing he teaches on his shows his very good and accurate and even the dogs that most people feel should be “put down” do not have to as long as they have boundaries and limitations they know what is expected of them. Dogs think in the moment and only understand when you scold them then and not later so I feel that it is pretty much up to the owner to decide whether their dogs should be considered an Inside versus and Outside one!

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