Am I the only one that thinks this is a bit on the cruel side, and what could be an alternative?

Question

Well my family was discussing what we were going to do with my dog (Cody) over the school year while everybody is gone from the house. My dad had an idea about installing an electric fence and getting a dog house and just leaving Cody outside for the whole day (with water). I thought that doing that just wouldn't be right. I know Cody, and he is very determined and would run right through it. And I've heard some bad reviews about electric fences, like, that the dog develops a fear of going outside because he's afraid of being shocked. And being outside for 7 hours everyday (8:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M.) would just overheat his small little body. =/

When my mom got her job last spring and couldn't stay home with Cody anymore, we hired my sister's homeschooled friend to come over everyday at noon to let Cody out to potty. He was making some big bucks, we paid him $8 a day. We can no longer afford that.

So my questions are...

~Do you think that's cruel?

~What could we do with him as an alternative?

If it helps, he is crate trained.

And PLEASE don't tell me to rehome him.

Thanks to all who answer!!! ♥

~Erin (KL)

Answer 1

My kin have an electric fence and it works well and doesn't seem to bother the dogs at all. They know where it is, and they know when they can cross it - when it's off. Of course, they can go inside during the day and have a dog door. Those fences aren't cheap. I think your offer of $8 is reasonable ... and if it's your dog, you need to find the money to pay that.

Answer 2

I have neighbors who have a dog but no-one to watch him. The keep him in a crate all day and he's just fine! (leave a bowl of water in with him)....but warning, when let out DOG WILL BE HYPER TO EXTENT BEYOND BELIEF! :D  

Answer 3

Why not just buy a regular fence and a doggy door?

Answer 4

If something gets his attention enough outside of your yard, one small zap isn't going to stop him.  And it doesn't stop things from coming in.  So he could be hurt by stray dogs, or nasty people, or even birds, if he's really small.

If he is full grown and has dependable bladder control, I would crate him for the 7 hours.  Or try to find another kid to let him out.  Just don't pay as much.  Something like $25-$30 a week.

Answer 5

Does Cody have a Bladder control problem - or is destructive in the house?

If not, there is no reason why a healthy adult dog can't hold it for 7 hours a day while his family is gone to work/school.    Just leave the TV on Animal Planet for him - and let him live in the house where he belongs.

Why not ask your dad to let Cody go on "probation" in the house for a few days and see how he does.   I find that my dogs sleep almost all day when we are gone at work.    (If we are home on a work day for some reason .... I think the dogs feel we mess with their quiet nap times!)

It least let Cody have the chance to prove to you that he can be trusted in the house during the day when you are gone .... that's only fair.

Answer 6

To leave the dog alone all day is sad. Dogs are social creatures and being alone all day will be difficult for the dog. The only thing I think that of is to get another dog to keep him company. Otherwise maybe you can make his day more comfortable by installing a doggy door so he can go in and out. And a nice fenced area that is not electrified to play in. Put some fun dog toys around and hope he can handle being alone.

Answer 7

I don't think it's cruel, but I thinks it's unfair to Cody. It's not his fault school started up and your mom got a job, why should he have to spend the entire day locked outside?

If he's crate trained, why not just leave him in the crate with some toys or on of those stick like raw hides? As long as he is let out before he goes in and right after you get home, he should be fine going seven hours in the crate and it is a much better alternative then sticking him outside, specially with an invisible/electric fence.

Answer 8

Sounds good to me. My neighbor did the same for his dog and it worked fine. Make sure he as a shaddy spot where he can sleep in the yard and has water and food. He will enjoy the outdoors.

Answer 9

I don't think that's right, no.  Sounds like Cody is used to being an inside dog and would not appreciate being put outside all day suddenly.  If he is crate trained, why not just keep him in his crate?  That's a much safer (not only concerning heat but also the possibility of him getting out) and more affordable alternative than just leaving him outside.  If he's crate trained he's also potty trained (assuming) so...is your family worried that he won't get the exercise he needs?  Will he be thrilled with being in a crate for 7 hours?  Probably not.  But if he's a house trained adult dog, he'll be just fine.  Just take him outside for an extra long play session/walk when y'all get home.

It's not ideal, but kids have to go to school and parents have to make a living and if no one could own a dog unless someone was home 24/7, there would be VERY few doggy homes in the world.

I don't consider THAT cruel at all.  I DO consider leaving him outside all day when he is normally an indoor dog completely unfair.  And $8 a DAY for letting the dog out once to pee?  Heck no.  I know tons of people who would do that for no more than a plate of yummy cookies at Christmas time.

EDIT: Okay...$8 makes a little more sense if he walks the pup as well.  But really, unless he has a bladder problem, at one year old he should have no problem being in a crate with a Kong or something similar, or a laundry room or something.  I think it is far more unfair to place him outside all day when he's used to being an inside dog and hoping that he'll stay within the confines of the electric fence AND that no one would steal him.  7 hours is, again, not ideal but totally doable if you cannot find anyone else to let him out midday.

Answer 10

Electric fences work good you have to show the dog the boarder of the fences, I know several people that use them with success, make sure you know the fences range too, last thing you want it to do is have a range in your house and the dog still have the collar on only to get zapped. Too many idiots really don't know what the area range is on a fence.  

The dog wont run through it, it will beep before the dog gets zapped so the dog will know.  

I think its a good idea if you have a good yard, plus its no different then being in a house alone.  

Answer 11

How old is Cody? If he is an adult,I would stick with the crate for the day even with no potty break. My dog stays in the crate while I am working simply because he is destructive when left on free roam. He loves his crate and has no issues staying in it during the day. We have lots of fun and exercise as soon as I get home.

Answer 12

i live in the south of america. electric fences are used all the time. your pet will not be traumatized if he touches the fence. if the electricity is high or low enough he will learn not to go threw it. would you rather he gets run over? putting him in a crate for 8 hours is even crueler. the goats, cows, and horses around here are used to electric fences. they go inside and out of their stalls with no problem. don't worry.  

Answer 13

$8 a day to let a dog out? Sounds excessive to me - especially if it's a neighbor kid and not even an adult who does dog sitting for a living.

The electric fence will not be cheap either and as you've pointed out may not work (it's not fool-proof). Plus, he will need shelter that he will use (some dogs ignore dog houses even in blistering heat, hailstorms, etc.)

Since it sounds like building a regular fence isn't an option, you may want to re-consider keeping him inside. Most healthy adult dogs can go 7 hours (but not in a crate - a room where he can move around and where it wouldn't be a disaster if he had to go potty), if they have been taken out beforehand. It would be best for your dog's general well-being if someone could let him out mid-day. Perhaps another neighbor who isn't so greedy?

Answer 14

Get a wood or chain fence it would be a better investment in the long run.    Is this dog an indoor dog and how big?    If this is an indoor dog it might not be fair to leave him outside all day.    Is he crate trained?    You could crate him.   Or leave a puppy pad down and restrict the areas in the house he can go

I looked at Codys pictures and he is a small dog.   What is he Bichon, Poodle, or Maltese?     He can't handle being outside all day.    Crate him.    He will be fine.   Let him out right before you leave and right when you get home.   Leave him toys and other activities.    Most dogs get crated all day and they are fine.    We crate ours.

Answer 15

Here is what we did when we got my puppy.since our lot is oddly shaped its hard to put a fence up so...

we got a 10 by 10 metal pen and then put a tarp over 90 percent of it.preventing the sun from getting in it.the 10 percent left open was for the winder when she wants to be warm. also u might wanna dig a hole for him to lay in.as depending on the dog he might not dig his pen.so just dig a 1 foot deep hole for him to lay into and he will be alot cooler. although a dirty boy lol. my 2 cents

Answer 16

That is cruel to me.  I love dogs. And it sounds like you know your dog.  Try to pay the friend less.  See how that goes.  Or just invite him for supper some night out of each week for pay.  Just play with it and see how it goes.

Answer 17

Oh my! You still havent solved it? WOW. I feel so bad for you, but no worries I will help. (I sound like superman! Well woman)

Here are some things you can do:

~Just get a regular fence. With like 2 bowls of water for Cody.

~Maybe a play pen inside the house. With Cody's water, toys, wee wee pads crate and some blankets. But judging by how hyper he is maybe you should get him like an extra large pen.

~This is only if you have an extra room in your house. Put everything in that room what I listed for the play pen, BUT add a small radio with like soft music to help him stay relaxed, I did that to Charlie when I was crate training him and he LOVES his crate now. But be sure put it some where high so he doesnt destroy it.

~2 words for you, OBIDIENCE SCHOOL, so they can teach him to not destroy things, pee inside the house etc, etc.

~Crate you may want to leave him in a crate the whole day and have your cousin to come take him out for $8 a MONTH.

~Watch these videos with the WHOLE FAMILY so they can ALL pitch in to help Cody get trained! (:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT3zBi7la...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzXXfKzZ2...

Hope I helped and I hope the BEST for you, your family, and last but not least that stubborn little Cody! =D

Happy Bday to me! Happy Bday to me happy Bday to meeee, HAPPY BDAY TO MEEEEEEEEE! (: Only YOU no my age ;)

ADD: Yes I think it is cruel, shocking is SO cruel and hurtful. ):

Answer 18

Every Dog we have ever owned has been an outside dog, year round, except in the winter we let them stay in the garage in crates, which is perfect since Cody is crate trained.  As long as there is some sort of shelter for him to stay out of the weather (Sun, Wind, Rain, etc.) such as a doghouse, or a covered porch, Cody should be fine.  Food in the morning, food at night, and make sure there is a bucket full of water for Cody, not just a small pan.  

Answer 19

Unlike some others, I think that leaving a dog in a crate all day is too cruel. I would never do that. It would be like putting a person in a prison cell when they have done no wrong. Are you sure you don't have someone close that you can trust who would be willing to just walk over and let him out for a bit each day? I do this for two of my neighbors alot of the time, and I would never expect to be paid. Another suggestion, although your mom is opposed to it, would be to  put up a wire fenced in area, like others have suggested, make sure he has plenty of water and shade, and a doghouse with a doggy door opening directly out into the area. I don't like the idea of an electric fence because other large stray dogs may not be deterred by it and could harm your little one, also my moms neighbors dog got all tangled up in an electric wire and was traumatized. I guess I am just a softy about my pets, but I would never just put my inside dog outside all day with just an electric fence. I don't know where you live, but what is the weather like there? Small dogs can't take the heat of outdoors in the summer if they are used to being inside where it is probably cooler, and they sure can't take the cold weather outside if they are used to being inside where it is warmer.

Is there any way that you can offer to do some chores for neighbors, etc. to earn a little money to help with a wire fence and/or doggy door? Can you talk to your friend that let him out last spring and tell them your problem? Maybe you can do chores for people as I mentioned earlier to help pay this person. Is there any way that you can do alot of chores for your mom so that she would be willing to help out with this expense? Good luck with this, and I hope it works out so that you will not worry every day about your baby boy!

Answer 20

I'd never use an electric fence. I think they're inhumane and cruel.

You could get two large dog pens and attach them together though, and that would keep him in as long as he's not really big or can jump high. And then just put water and toys in and you're all set to go for a few hours. Just make sure there's somewhere he can go if he gets to hot or if it rains.. like a dog house.

Answer 21

My fear with the electric fence is that while he MAY not run away, someone could STEAL HIM.  All they have to do is have a treat in their hand and there is large chance he'll come running.

Can you trust him with the run of the house (no cage)?  Why not test that for an hour here and there and see if he can handle it... My dogs stay in the house all day (8:45am - 5pm) and are OK.  I just make sure to leave water and I also take them for a long walk in the morning and play with them a lot when I get home so they deplete their energy...

I also agree with someone esle who said why not put up a fence and a doggy door... but I realize that could be expensive.

Answer 22

seriously people work outside in worse conditions for longer amounts of time.  If he has food, water, and shelter he will be fine.  I don't think it's cruel.  The electric fence does work and I haven't seen a dog that is afraid to go outside because of it....I love my dogs but it is a dog and you answerers are a bunch of babies!

Answer 23

Why can't it just be a regular fence? Electric fences are a bit cruel for dogs, it could be fatal if he got tangled up in it, how horrible :(

Staying outside shouldn't be a problem for any dog as long as it has the right environment - a good solid fence should be a part of that, to stop him from getting out, and people getting in and causing trouble!

Don't you have a kind neighbour who would come and let your dog out for a toilet break? Not everyone expects to be paid for doing favours for friends or neighbours - just make sure you get them a nice Christmas present ;)

Answer 24

I don't think keeping him in the backyard all day is a good idea either-what about dog nappers!

Why don't you keep him inside put train him to go to the bathroom on a puppy pad?

Then when you get home, he can enjoy the outdoors.

Best of luck