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Dog owners: Your pet needs more than a fenced yard

Started 1 year ago by Sonoma
Latest reply from Sonoma

Sonoma
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Somewhere in West Seattle, near Lincoln Park: A large, beautiful young dog spends his days behind a chain-link fence. He doesn't romp around; he doesn't play. His well-meaning owners probably think he is getting enough exercise and playtime alone in the front yard, with toys scattered about.

I hate to butt in - perhaps I don't know all the facts - but I don't think this is healthy. I like to think that his humans take him for a good, long walk or run at least once a day. But every time I see him, whether daytime, evening, or weekends, he is alone. He is incredibly friendly and sweet; he loves attention.

So this is just a friendly reminder to dog owners: Just because you keep your dog in a fenced yard, it doesn't mean he's going to run about and play. He just might lie there, waiting for a human to walk by and give him a friendly word and a hug through the fence. Your dog - especially the large, working dog - needs plenty of activity and exercise, which he will not do on his own.

Posted 1 year ago #
anonyme
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Sonoma, I agree with you one hundred percent. As I walk my dog around the neighborhood I'm bewildered by the number of dogs that are locked in yards and never, ever walked. These aren't just "guard" dogs, either. Dogs need the mental exercise of getting out and going on the hunt as much as they need the physical exercise. If you're too lazy to take full responsibility for a dog, don't have one - or get a cat. But even cats need to be played with once in a while...

Posted 1 year ago #
MB
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Amen!

Posted 1 year ago #
terriba
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Sonoma, I know exactly which dog you are talking about and he is the sweetest boy! He has grown so much and is now taller than the fence when he stands on his hind legs.

I always make time to stop and give him some attention whenever my dog and I are out for our walk. I have seen him out there day and night, sunshine and pouring rain, always alone. I have never seen his owners, but always hope to. I would be happy to take him along on some of our walks if they are unable.

I am glad to know that someone else takes the time to give him some (in my opinion) much needed love and attention.

Posted 1 year ago #
Sonoma
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So glad to see there are other people who care about the well-being of dogs. I'm no expert on dogs, but I can tell that this guy is lonely. Terriba, I'm sure we're talking about the same dog - I think he's a malamute or husky. I "met" him when he was a puppy; I think he's probably less than a year old now, but fully grown.

Posted 1 year ago #
Sonoma
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Just saw him again this evening. Still outside, alone, at 8:30. Boy, was he happy to greet me!

Posted 1 year ago #
andrea
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ugh, this breaks my heart. the poor guy! i hope his owners read the blog or are alerted to this post by a friend...? no doggie should go it alone like that :/.

Posted 1 year ago #
Flyonthewall
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Actually, I think the original poster is making a big assumption that this dog is not cared for properly. I know what animal you are talking about - on Othello right? It clearly is a large husky or malamute and, having owned that breed before, I can verify that many of those dogs do NOT want to be inside. We had a husky who we had to bribe to come indoors - even in freezing and raining weather!

These dogs have the coat and genetic impulse to be outdoor dogs. Perhaps the owners are honoring that desire. The thing to check is whether it has shelter, food, water, etc.... I have seen the owners outside with it and greeting people who stop to pet it. Further, dogs that are neglected usually are not that friendly - this one seems well socialized to me.

Let's not jump to conclusions without knowing all the facts.

Posted 1 year ago #
Cait
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Thank you, Fly. I was waiting for someone to say it.

Posted 1 year ago #
Sonoma
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Sorry, Fly. This dog might be well-fed, but he needs real exercise. And he isn't getting it.

Posted 1 year ago #
DP
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We had a husky who we had to bribe to come indoors - even in freezing and raining weather!

. . . which raises the issue of why people purchase dogs that are genetically disposed to certain behaviors that said dog purchasers proceed to neglect or discourage.

Huskies are pack dogs that are bred to pull sleds through the snow, right? But they also look cool (and make great mascots). —So yeah . . . let's get a husky and keep it by itself in the rain.

Border collies are bred to herd sheep right? So let's get a border collie and then take it to "obedience school" it when it nips at people's heels.

And then there's pit bulls . . . but don't get me started.

I took my chihuahua to Mazatlán with me, thinking he'd feel more at home there. But he wanted no part of it. Didn't like the food; didn't like the people. Stayed in the motel room the whole time, watching the Disney channel.

What a waste.

Posted 1 year ago #
Cait
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Let me start out by saying that I have been faced with the decision of having to get rid of an animal that I wasn't prepared for before and luckily it worked out that we were able to move to accommodate him when we were misinformed and got in over our heads. Not everyone is able to do this and it is absolutely heartbreaking to have to think about the prospect of giving up an animal. Of course it's common sense but unless you have been in that situation before PLEASE do NOT assume that you know what you would do. You don't. It's awful and maybe this person is in a similar situation and is dealing with that struggle. If the dog is happy, the dog is happy. If there are no signs of neglect and the dog has access to fresh water and a shelter outside, leave it alone. If there are these signs, why are you posting it here instead of calling animal control?

This dog could be getting a stiff jog every evening, and the OP states that. Instead we have a situation where we are making implications that there is animal neglect going on AND a description where an address could be easily found and this person harassed for what could be no reason.

It's like judging someone's parenting. It's done all the time on this blog but I think it's, largely speaking, presumptuous and rude especially when a person can be easily identified by the information provided. I think it's great the OP was concerned, but I'm interested as to why it needed to be discussed here instead of a letter in the mailbox, or heck if you're that concerned, a call to animal control, as stated before. The concern is valid but the judgment and the airing of this information in a forum is inappropriate and negligent in terms of the owners safety and the dog's.

I realize it was not the OP that stated where this dog lived exactly but this has taken on a bent that could lead to some serious issues, IMHO.

Posted 1 year ago #
I Wonder
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Would a dog be better served living outside its "element" (who knows, maybe there's a husky that hates the cold!) than being put down because no one wanted him?

Posted 1 year ago #
terriba
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When I went for my walk last night the owner of the dog was outside and I had a chance to meet him. Very nice man. The dog's name is Charlie and he is 8 months old (huge Malmute puppy!).

Very affectionate with his owner and seems happy. I may need to rethink my original point of view. His owner spoke about the training classes that he has been too and how much they love this dog.

I do agree with Sonoma's original posting as I have seen the same things and had the same concerns. I feel that Sonoma's posting was in good intention and based on nothing but caring for Charlie.

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
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"posting was in good intention and based on nothing but caring "

therein lies the rub...

often what appears to be true in casual observation is not the whole truth...

Posted 1 year ago #
librarian
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Cait thank you for being the voice of reason. Unless someone is watching that dog 24 hrs. a day they really do not know what is happening.

Posted 1 year ago #
Sonoma
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Yay, Charlie! In honor of Charlie, I am donating new clothes and toys to a Japanese orphanage. Check it out on http://www.mynorthwest.com, then go to Ron & Don's radio show.

Posted 1 year ago #
Sonoma
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By the way, I hope Charlie's training includes socialization. I walked by his house today, and much to my shock, he leapt up and barked and growled, baring his teeth. Maybe the poor dog was just in a bad mood, but I've never seen him behave that way. Perhaps just normal malumute behavior, right? Maybe he was mad at me for butting in on his behalf. :)

Also, he is digging under the fence, trying to get out. If he gets any larger, he might be able to jump OVER the fence. Just my casual observation; I'm not there 24/7. So I'll close the subject and wish the best to Charlie and his humans.

Posted 1 year ago #
KBear
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If the fence is less than 6' tall, with another foot buried underground, he's just staying in there as a courtesy to his owners.

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
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Sonoma...

when a dog's behavior towards you changes

it's generally a good idea to ask yourself what you have done to threaten the dog

Posted 1 year ago #
yeah-me
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Well, Sonoma criticized Charlie's owner on a public forum...and we all know how fiercely protective dogs are of their owners. Even if said owner has the audacity to head off to work each day leaving poor dog in a fenced yard with food and water.

Posted 1 year ago #
Cait
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Sonoma your obsession with this person's dog is strange. It kind of sounded like you determined that the dog was in fact OK and were closing the subject before and now you keep harping.

If the dog has shelter and water outdoors my suggestion is that we close the thread. This is really starting to piss me off now.

Posted 1 year ago #
charlabob
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Simple -- Charlie can read, but, without opposable thumbs or any fingers, can't write. So, he's expressing his dislike of your opinions.

Posted 1 year ago #
Sonoma
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Thanks, neighbors, for all your astounding wit and clever observations. Your cups of kindness overflow. Stopping by to say hello to Charlie was always a pleasure - I needed the stress relief as a close family member is dying of cancer. And I think Charlie welcomed my greetings, too. It was not an "obsession," just a bit of happiness during an awful time.

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
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Sonoma...

I am sorry you are suffering.

if you think charlie is in trouble,
leave his owner a note...

Posted 1 year ago #
Jenifer Lewis
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Dogs, good owners and bad neighbors
I am curious if any of the renter's out there have ever been told that it is not legal for your dogs to be off leash in a fenced yard when the lease states that you have permission to rent with dogs. I am being told by my property mgt folks that I am in violation of the landlord tenanta laws and the leash law. What would be the point of renting in a fenced yard if your animals can't enjoy the yard? I'm told by the City of Seattle Animal Shelter that there is no violation of the leash laws - can anyone help me out on this???

Posted 1 year ago #
KBear
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It's certainly not a violation of the law. It might be a violation of your lease agreement, if it specifically says dogs can't be off-leash in the yard. It sounds like the management agency got a complaint, and they're trying to deal with it through intimidation, rather than try to work things out the right way.

Posted 1 year ago #
charlabob
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Sonoma, I'm sorry to hear of your suffering. Sounds like Charlie provides some relief -- as you get to know his humans you might offer to take him for a walk during the day (when you're home and his parents aren't.) If you get to know them, and they trust you, it might be a solution for both of you. :-)

Posted 1 year ago #
MarySheely
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Charlie sounds cute. I just want to throw two cents in here, while recognizing that of course every breed is different. We have two mastiffs. One is very big and the other is HUGE. We do walk them every single day, take them on copious dog park visits, etc. What a lot of people don't realize is, a big dog gets tired fast. We've learned to limit our hikes to two miles and even then, it's often a slow walk back with the dog even slower way back behind us at the very end of the leash. So Charlie may in fact be just fine. (Also, people often say "You must have a big house." Totally the opposite. Big dogs sleep a lot! : )

(edited for clarity)

Posted 1 year ago #
Sonoma
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Thanks, MarySheely. I am going to assume Charlie is just fine. I have family matters and other things to worry about now - though Charlie is indeed a lovable dog. I was just surprised to see such a radical change in his normally sweet disposition when I walked by his house recently. Could have been a fluke - I hope. P.S. Mastiffs are wonderful dogs - except when they try to sit on your lap! ;)

Posted 1 year ago #