Crate vs. Yard vs. House - Need Ideas

[Lael]

In July, my husband and I moved from our duplex which had a small, private and well secured fenced in yard into one without a fenced-in yard. We had so many reasons that we needed to move, and we thought that Lael would be just fine without her yard. Actually, she gets lots of play and exercise. During the day while we are gone for 9 hours, she has free roam of the tiled areas of our apartment which are safe for her. At 15 months now, she can hold it that long and she does, so it's really unnecessary (and unhealthy) to put her in her crate for that long.

My husband thinks that she will get more exercise if she has a yard. I suggested moving back into the duplex we came from. He doesn't want to right now. He suggested asking some friends if they mind us keeping her in their backyard a few days/week. I felt that this was absolutely absurd. If he feels that strongly about her being in a yard and we aren't responsible enough to GET her a yard, than we are slacking! And who wants the responsibility of someone's dog (who is treated like a human) in their backyard? If something were to happen to Lael ...

Anyways, I told my husband that I am NOT comfortable with this. And if he feels so strongly about her getting more exercise, I will get up at 5am every day to walk her before I would ever leave her in another's yard. We argued about it ('cause I just can't compromise on this one). It ended when he agreed to call the breeder and ask his opinion (I KNOW what he'll say).

I haven't heard anything else on it since. But I wanted to ask your opinion. Am I crazy to think that leaving your dog in someone else's yard is just OUT OF THE QUESTION? My point to my husband was that we cannot rely on a yard to give her exercise. What if she gets stolen? What if she gets loose?

Any thoughts are helpful. Thanks.

 

[jbbtlr]

Yes, out of the question. I wouldn't even consider doing this. Leaving him at a parents or friends while you are on a trip or something is different, but asking them for a few days a week, no I wouldn't consider that.

There are soooo many things that can happen and granted Lael sounds very very well behaved but what if he decides he doesn't like it over there and destroys something. Those plans your hubby suggested might seem okay to him but there are just too many variables, in my opion, of something that can happen.

So I agree with you!!!!! :D
~~Jeanette~~

 

[Linda/NJ]

No way would I leave your dog in someone else's care in their yard. I just could not do that. I agree how you feel. I hope it all works out for you.

 

[robinette]

But I wanted to ask your opinion. Am I crazy to think that leaving your dog in someone else's yard is just OUT OF THE QUESTION? My point to my husband was that we cannot rely on a yard to give her exercise. What if she gets stolen? What if she gets loose?

Will somone be there to keep an eye on him throughout the day?

I would not feel comfortable leaving Vegas with anyone unless it was a family member or someone that I know has the same outlook on caring for a dog as I do. If somthing did ever happen you wouldn't forgive yourself and probally hold it against who's ever yard its is. I agree that a yard doesn't necessarily mean more excercise, If it were my dog he would just lie around all day waiting for us to come home as he does when he is inside, he would not be running around all by himself getting excercise. I would be very hesitant to leave him unattended.

Good luck with your dilema.

 

[Elyse]

Unless it is a good friend that is going to be home and LOVES her, I would not feel comfy either. Not sure of your situation but maybe you can go over to a friends yard and play there after work. It is a tough one but I agree with you. Good luck.

 

[Susan3283]

I agree with everyone else. I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving my dogs in someone else's yard all day. I would go for walking them before or after work to get the exercise.

 

[kactus]

same here. bailey goes to my aunts every day while we are at work but shes there with him all day and hes as much in the house as in the garden. dont know if its true but ive read that being in a yard/garden all day doesnt actually contribute to their exercise. i guess its probably true cos in a yard alone bailey wouldnt move much more than he does in the house (unless there was a human/playmate there in which case he wouldnt stop for breath!!) when my aunt leaves him back home after lunch he has the hall/stairs/landing and one empty room upstairs and i think its just fine. the only damage hes done in 7 months is a tiny bit of knawing on a banister post. and theres nothing unsafe at all for him!
i would be scared of something bad happening if he was outside all day alone/escaping/too warm/too cold or even being stolen or poisioned which people here can tell you DOES happen. id say hes probably safer inside as long as he gets plenty of oppertunities to 'burn' when u guys are home!!!

 

[DUKE&chloe]

I think you should just take her over to your friends yard as often as you can and play with her yourself. Every boxer needs some time in a safe fenced area to play with the ones they love

 

[tbone]

Let me say that my boxers are almost 3yrs old and 7mo old, and they are both in crates all day while we are at work. They are out all night, and get pleanty of exercise. You are lucky to be able to keep you baby out all day, my 3yr old still tears up the house if he is left out. She will be ok

 

[ccjjdd]

Your Boxer needs you!

First, I can’t believe it was even suggested to ask a neighbor if your dog could stay in their yard. That is completely out of line. But let’s say your neighbor is a total dog lover, aren’t you going to be embarrassed about the destruction a boxer can do to a yard? We all know what I am talking about: the poop, dead grass stains, dirt holes from the running and whatever else. I couldn’t imagine imposing that upon someone else’s yard.

My other thought is that your dog will not exercise anymore outside ALONE the she would inside. Boxers need to be with people; they were breed to be with you! So leaving the dog alone outside will not exercise her anymore then if you leave her in a crate – actually she will probably begin acting out due to boredom (digging holes, jumping fences, barking).

My suggestion to you is to find a local doggy day care or to spend extra time with your dog. I play a hard game of fetch daily with my boxer. It’s fun for him and helps me relax after the grind of work. We also go on walks, but we both prefer fetch. And please don’t think crating a dog is a bad thing. You might find out that your dog likes it, as I did (we rescued a 2 year old and that is where he wants to be when it is sleepy time).

Finally, if your husband is complaining so much then he needs to get up and do something too! Don’t take on the responsibility on by yourself or you find with a lot of additional issues.