# If you're a dog owner and you don't allow them to live in the house with you, you're a dick. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 18, 2015, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141 "2015-01-18T06:40:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/1 "2015-01-18T06:40:07Z")
Title pretty much says all I need to say on the matter. I’ve been keeping this one bottled up for a looong time. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/2 "2015-01-18T06:43:27Z")
Agreed. My ex-next door neighbour had a golden lab that he kept outside pretty much all of the time. One night it got particularly cold (-30C) and all of a sudden the dog wasn’t around, I noticed. When I next spoke to him he said that the dog got sick and died. Yeah, right. ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/3 "2015-01-18T06:48:47Z")
OK, I agree if the dog is out in extreme temperatures or is subject to other dangerous critters. But what if it’s a temperate climate or the owner has a heated garage with a doggy door? ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/4 "2015-01-18T06:51:47Z")
Meh, too broad a pitting. People live on farms. People have hunting dog breeds and such not suitable near infants. A dog house is fine even in cold climates for many breeds. ---
**Author:** ![camille](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/22d042/32.png) [@camille](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/camille)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/5 "2015-01-18T06:57:04Z")
Dogs are social animals. It’s cruelty to keep them isolated from the “rest of the pack” (i.e., you and your family). ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/6 "2015-01-18T07:04:23Z")
> [@camille](#): > > Dogs are social animals. It’s cruelty to keep them isolated from the “rest of the pack” (i.e., you and your family). You mean the pack of other hunting/herding dogs a person may own? Not everyone has a toy and not every dog belongs in the house. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/7 "2015-01-18T07:32:14Z")
> [@camille](#): > > Dogs are social animals. It’s cruelty to keep them isolated from the “rest of the pack” (i.e., you and your family). Exactly. > [@Sitnam](#): > > You mean the pack of other hunting/herding dogs a person may own? Not everyone has a toy and not every dog belongs in the house. The rest of the “pack” would be the other humans in the house. ---
**Author:** ![camille](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/22d042/32.png) [@camille](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/camille)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/8 "2015-01-18T07:37:50Z")
I was thinking primarily of situations as described by **Leaffan** : a single dog left outside a residential property. I’ll admit it isn’t as bad if there are multiple dogs in a proper kennel/shelter setup, but to be honest I still feel sorry for dogs who are owned by people who don’t care for them beyond their utility. ---
**Author:** ![Boogly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Boogly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boogly)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/9 "2015-01-18T08:08:07Z")
What about people who use dog sleds? A team of 12 dogs ready to go normally means more than 12 dogs be kept. There is a difference between pets and service dogs/animals. ---
**Author:** ![kbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@kbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kbear)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/10 "2015-01-18T09:16:28Z")
I don’t know. I had a German Shepherd growing up and she lived outside. She had her own doghouse that was sort of heated and when she wasn’t running around the neighbourhood, she was tied up at the top of the hill behind the house. She was a well loved, well socialised dog…my mom just didn’t want her in the house. She did sleep in the front hall if it was really cold. We all spent most of our time outdoors back then rather than glued to a not-yet-invented Playstation so we were always interacting with her. And if we weren’t around, the neighbourhood kids would take her to the lake…she was tied up right next to the path. My dippy labradoodle however, is still asleep at the end of the bed, lazy dog. ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/11 "2015-01-18T15:47:35Z")
> [@Boogly](#): > > What about people who use dog sleds? > > A team of 12 dogs ready to go normally means more than 12 dogs be kept. > > There is a difference between pets and service dogs/animals. Yup, some [breeds](http://www.distractify.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads//2014/08//wBaxsS2.jpg) are born to live outside 24/7. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/12 "2015-01-18T16:22:06Z")
> [@Boogly](#): > > What about people who use dog sleds? > > A team of 12 dogs ready to go normally means more than 12 dogs be kept. > > There is a difference between pets and service dogs/animals. Beat me to it. Most sled dogs are not cuddly pets, and they’re usually tethered out of fighting range of each other. OP fail. ---
**Author:** ![HeXen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@HeXen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeXen)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/13 "2015-01-18T16:31:40Z")
> [@camille](#): > > Dogs are social animals. It’s cruelty to keep them isolated from the “rest of the pack” (i.e., you and your family). So are humans but we keep the ones that don’t do well with others locked up by themselves. Should we also apply this illogical ideology to cow or goat owners too if there is only 1? You provide your dog a territory, they in turn guard that territory. If you got a breed that doesn’t do well in your climate then that’s your own fault but there is nothing wrong or unnatural about keeping a dog, cat or pot belly pig outside providing they are naturally adapted to your local climates. Most problems with pets stem from retards that get pets out of complete ignorance of the breed’s needs, natural traits and the family’s desires. That’s why so many people drop dogs off somewhere or give them away. People get dogs and cats without a freaking clue as to what they are really doing besides thinking that it’s “cute”. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/14 "2015-01-18T16:55:04Z")
> [@camille](#): > > I’ll admit it isn’t as bad if there are multiple dogs in a proper kennel/shelter setup, but to be honest I still feel sorry for dogs who are owned by people who don’t care for them beyond their utility. Plenty of people feel they care for their dogs very much, without ever bringing them inside human habitation. Same for horses. Beyond that, why feel sorry for animals that are prized for their utility, having their needs met, and subject to no cruelty? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Holdsworth\_Effect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/848f3c/32.png) [@The\_Holdsworth\_Effect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Holdsworth_Effect)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/15 "2015-01-18T17:01:50Z")
I understand what the OP intent was- and sympathize. Just refine it to “house” dogs. LGDs are very unhappy being cooped up in a house, though my neighbor’s Kangoel (KangalxBoerboel) wants to check it out, as part of his territorial surveillance. Otherwise, he’s outside working. Their pugs and cats and birds- all inside. My Spoo pup- inside, and on the bed if he wants. Last summer we discovered he needed to be inside to be cooler, during our brief hot weeks. He really only stays outside if there is a person or his GF Ruby-the-Lab for company. Our previous dogs always let us know where they wanted to be, and we complied 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/16 "2015-01-18T17:39:18Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Beat me to it. Most sled dogs are not cuddly pets, and they’re usually tethered out of fighting range of each other. OP fail. Okay, I guess I could have articulated it better, but I thought it was quite obvious I was talking about the 95% of dogs out there that normally live inside with the family. Seriously, if you live in the burbs and you keep your Lab outside because you think he a filthy animal, you’re a dick. Weather conditions are irrelevant. ETA: What **Holdsworth** said. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/17 "2015-01-18T18:53:52Z")
Here in Pennsylvania (or at least, Allegheny county, I can’t remember if the law is state-wide), it’s illegal to leave an animal outside for longer than a half an hour when the temperature drops below freezing. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/18 "2015-01-18T19:06:43Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > Okay, I guess I could have articulated it better, but I thought it was quite obvious I was talking about the 95% of dogs out there that normally live inside with the family. > Seriously, if you live in the burbs and you keep your Lab outside because you think he a filthy animal, you’re a dick. Weather conditions are irrelevant. > ETA: What **Holdsworth** said. Well, it’s the Pit, so it’s almost an obligation to pick on the OP for minor issues. 😛 I agree with you, actually. I feel the same way about people who boot their cats out the door to cope with predators, disease and other cats. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/19 "2015-01-18T19:10:42Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > Meh, too broad a pitting. People live on farms. People have hunting dog breeds and such not suitable near infants. A dog house is fine even in cold climates for many breeds. Many hunting breeds are generally safer around infants, children, and humans in general than many non-working breeds. I don’t want to say that it is 100% bad, although people who regiment their pets’ lives too strictly get a :dubious: in my book. There is a whole lot of middle ground between non-pet and free-range permissiveness. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2015, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141/20 "2015-01-18T19:18:43Z")
Ehh, my dogs were inherited, and were never really house trained. They’ll bark to let you know they’re hungry or bored, but not if they need to use the restroom. In fact, I have let one of them in just to watch them piss on the floor. So, they’re outside dogs, with heated dog houses. If I can traipse around outside in short sleeves without discomfort, they stay there. If it gets colder than that, they come inside and stay in the studio. Even letting (forcing) them out every 2-3 hours, they still piss inside sometimes. So, maybe I’m a dick, but I clean up less piss than I would otherwise. I think I can deal with your withering disapproval easier than I can deal with being a janitor for 2 dogs. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-a-dog-owner-and-you-dont-allow-them-to-live-in-the-house-with-you-youre-a-dick/710141.md?page=2)