Outside vs. Inside

[lvoss]

I haven't taken it to be confrontational, but after doing dog evaluations for rescue and seeing this situation over and over again, and then working at my local shelter and seeing it there over and over again it is definitely the exception that if someone is truly against the idea that they will have a radical change of opinion.

On the other hand, if the person is really more on the fence but with a leaning to one side, often they can change their mind. Or if the person is gradually exposed to the opposing view.

As an example, when I was in high school, I very much wanted a purebred dog. I wanted to do junior handling, 4-H and all of that. I had researched breeds and dragged my mom to dog shows and we went to breeder's houses. At that time my mom just couldn't understand the whole thing about the price, the care, etc. As much as I wanted that, there was no amount of information, bargaining, convincing that I could do to get my mom to understand.

When I moved out on my own I got my purebred dog and he would go with us on vacation and my mom would come and watch me show him and over time she came to understand and appreciate that different point of view. So much so that when she moved to Southern California and was missing having family around and didn't have enough to keep her busy that she decided to give dog showing a try. By then even my dad's view of dogs had changed since he was one who said, never will a dog be in my bed and yet the first night Cole was there he was in the bed because "the poor puppy was cold". It was because their attitude had changed gradually as they interacted with my dogs and saw the difference in quality of life my dogs had that they came around even though all the ways I tried when I was in high school didn't work.

[mauigirl]

Perhaps her parents think that dogs should be outside since they're dogs. The whole "they're animals and that's where they're supposed to be" thing. Some people really don't know better unfortunately and don't mean to be malicious. Maybe educating the parents would be the best thing. Perhaps her mom sees the other dog being an "outside" dog and thinks that that is the way things are done.

[renaultf1]

@mauigirl:

How long has she been discussing this with her parents? If it's been a while and they are still staunchly against it then it is a bad idea. But other times it is just a knee-jerk reaction and fear that they will be the ones taking care of the dog. As i said before, my father was very against the idea of having two indoor doggies and grumbled about it to no end. But now he adores the dogs and takes care of them when we are not at home during the day sometimes. Maybe mine is just a cinderella story but maybe her parents are just trying to scare her into not getting a dog.

Liz, I can see one big difference with your outcome and the potential outcome of this…you are an adult...you understand responsibility. If your father hadn't come around, because you were already responsible for your dogs, you would still have been the one handling all the care of the dog. In a situation with a kid that has to convince a parent that the dog can be an indoor dog, I would say there are some major red flags. It really sounds like the parents don't want to be involved with the dog. What happens if the parents don't come around and the kid still gets the dog...the dog is the one that pays the price when the kid goes off with his friends, plays sports after school, etc. And thinking of that outcome makes me very sad.

[mauigirl]

If she thinks that the parents won't come around then she shouldn't get the dog. That is why she should discuss it and lay out her argument before the fact. If it seems hopeless then don't get the pup. But there's no harm in attempting to make a well thought-out argument and see exactly where the parents are coming from. Does anyone know how old this "kid" is? I think that might be of importance also.

I'm only 24….i like to think of myself as an overgrown kid.:D

[sharronhurlbut]

I don't know if we have heard from this poster since the first post…have we?

[tanza]

@sharronhurlbut:

I don't know if we have heard from this poster since the first post…have we?

The poster made two posts yesterday… and I have not seen them back.... sad... especially because they are in my area... only about 20 miles away...

Of course could have been someone looking to get a "rise" out of us.....

[sharronhurlbut]

Well Pat, if you could get them over to visit your home and see how b's should be, it would be a kindness for all involved.
Maybe they will come visit.

[tanza]

@sharronhurlbut:

Well Pat, if you could get them over to visit your home and see how b's should be, it would be a kindness for all involved.
Maybe they will come visit.

Yes, but they would have to contact me…. that has not happened...

[sharronhurlbut]

Well, I so hope they do.
Thank you for the offer.
Hugs

[Andrew]

@mauigirl:

(apparently Liz has started posting to the forum, so Carrie/Andrew style we're going to be sort of confusing and post under the same name…)

Copydog…

[dmcarty]

A basenji left alone outside will 'sing' - while some of us find it endearing and makes us giggle - some neighbors are not as amused. So in addition to all the other reasons - a lonely basenji will tell you that he is lonely and that will be very unpleasant - when the neighbors call to complain.

[mauigirl]

To the original poster:

I'm really curious as to how you have received our responses and the effect, if any, this thread has had on your ongoing discussion with your parents. You did suggest that replies of this sort would help you convince them that a new member of the family ought to spend time inside with all of you. Please keep us updated and consider arranging a visit with Tanza. It would be a smart decision to meet as many B's as possible and see how they "fit" in several households/lifestyles before bringing one home.

[Quercus]

<<the only="" way="" an="" outdoor="" dog="" is="" getting="" more="" mental="" stimulation="" than="" indoor="" with="" regular="" human="" contact="" because="" it="" inventing="" ways="" to="" entertain="" itself="" which="" in="" almost="" all="" cases="" going="" result="" unhappy="" human.="">>

Truer words were never spoken…not that any of our dogs are outdoor dogs...but since we run them in separate groups, sometimes they spend time outside when they wish they were inside.

How about someone ask me why my land line phone doesn't work at all? Huh, just ASK me!!! Grrrrr It involves a mother and son pulling the phone cable out from the siding, and chewing it in various places. Hard to blame that on the phone company!</the>

[nomrbddgs]

@Quercus:

<<
How about someone ask me why my land line phone doesn't work at all? Huh, just ASK me!!! Grrrrr It involves a mother and son pulling the phone cable out from the siding, and chewing it in various places. Hard to blame that on the phone company!

Awwww, c'mon, a little harmless play never hurt anyone!

[tanza]

Exactly Andrea… I have seen "houses" that have the look of giant termites... for lack of stimulation.
Remember that a dog seeking attention will do whatever they can that gains that attention. Certainly behaving doesn't work, as the people just leave the dog alone. However bad behavior gets the desired results... even if it is negative attention... it is still attention

[dmcarty]

YOu know this reminds me of when we got hooked in to city water and the were going to run a wire to the meter at the side of the house from the intake in the back of the house. I told them you should run it through the house - I have a suspended ceiling - it'll be easier and THE DOGS CAN'T GET IT.

They puffed up and said the were going to tuck it up under the siding and no dogs could get it. I said - you don't know these dogs and insistented in their arrogant city worker way. So I told them this: "When the dog chew through the wire - I will not call you so when you see the meter not running - figure it out.

Took 2 days for the dogs to explore it and 5 min to rip it down and chew through it. AND my dogs are only out unattended for potty time AM and PM. So it was not even they were bored being out there for hours on end.

The guys came back and - can you believe it - they insisted on doing the same thing. To which I said - fine you do that - and then wait in the truck for 10 min and lets see what happens. Only took 5 min so then they ran the wire through the house.

[wizard]

Jiggypig - haven't heard from you recently about this situation. Have you talked with your parents about the indoor-outdoor situation? Are you still wanting a basenji?
I wonder if you have really seriously talked with your parents about getting a dog. Are they supportive of you having a dog in the first place (not even talking yet about indoors/outdoors)? Are you willing to handle the true responsibility of caring for a dog (any dog)?
Just checking.

[jiggypig528]

Alright, people, alright! Please, please, give me a break. It's not my fault that my mom wants it to be an outside dog! She thinks that if it's an inside dog it will chew everything, that's it! So I'm sorry if this thread "disturbs" you or it's considered "inhumane". I personally don't believe that dogs should live outside, but I'm only 13! My parents don't listen to me.

Now, I know that everyone here loves Basenjis, but some of the comments here are just mean. Okay, not mean, but as if like "What the heck are you thinking? Are you out of your mind?" I don't want my dog to live outside, okay? Don't get mad at me.

This may seem like an "it's not my fault comment" but it's not. I just wanted the pros and cons of having a dog inside or outside. I'm sorry…

[jiggypig528]

Oh, and to 'wizard'. Yes, we have talked about it and they support it completely. And I mean seriously talked about it. And, yes, I am ready fro the responsibility of a dog.

[tanza]

Again I would ask, does the breeder you plan on getting a puppy from know that this pup would be made to be an outdoor dog?
And honestly… this is not a good option for a Basenji at all..... There are NO "pros" for keeping a dog outside... even in California...