Q: Is it OK to leave my dog unattended in our fenced yard?
A: Im afraid the answer is no, as this can cause all kinds of behavior issues. Dogs may display escape behavior, fence fighting, digging and inappropriate chewing.
Canines cooped up in the yard often lack mental stimulation and physical exercise, which can leave dogs looking for ways to fill their time and expel energy. Dogs are natural scavengers and hunters, meaning they are designed to spend much of their waking hours in pursuit of food. They are also bred for specific purposes, such as hunting, herding and companionship. Dogs left outside for extended periods will use the energy they would naturally use for food pursuit or breed-specific tasks in a manner that may not be pleasing to their human companions — such as incessant barking.
Labrador Retrievers, for example, have been bred to hunt and retrieve, and when they dont get enough exercise or opportunities to work, they may counter their boredom by creating their own jobs, which can include annoying behaviors such as barking along the fence at dogs walking by the property. Dogs bred for companionship also suffer because they are separated from their owners, whom they are uniquely designed to be near, which can cause distress and anxiety-related behavior.
Hanging out in a fenced yard can be a viable and safe option for some pets, but leaving a dog in a yard with an invisible fence has its own unique hazards. Though dogs usually wont leave their yards in this scenario, an invisible fence doesnt prevent other dogs from getting in the yard and attacking your dog. If you are relying on an invisible fence, be cautious: Dogs in yards with invisible fences shouldnt be left out without supervision for their own safety.
In general, though, leaving a dog in a backyard depends greatly on the temperament of the individual dog, specifically if he displays distress or destructiveness. Some dogs are content to be let outside frequently during the day to bask in the sun or play in the snow. Be sensitive to weather conditions, though, as many dogs, such as Pugs, cannot tolerate temperature extremes.
As a general rule, leaving your dog unattended for brief periods is OK, as long as he is not showing anxiety or stress or any behavior issue, such as attempting to dig under the fence. However, the majority of dogs prefer being inside with their owners and enjoying human amenities, such as air conditioning and comfy couches.
Ways to make the outside environment more enriching include scattering kibble on the lawn for dogs to scavenge or giving frozen stuffed Kongs or other chew toys for them to nibble. Offer shelter outside; provide both shaded areas from the sun and protection from the wind and rain. Also take your dog on at least two daily walks that leave him panting tired. Playing games with your dog, such as fetch or tug, can also help him be more satisfied and more likely to settle down both inside the home and for short periods outside.
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Best Way to Prevent Unwanted Behaviors
When dogs are left outdoors unattended, they can get into trouble quickly. Many dogs become lost because they’ve dug out from under their fence within seconds. Also, many accidentally walk through backyard gates unintentionally left open by service workers.
Incessantly barking dogs usually practice this behavior when left alone in the backyard, and it can quickly become a problem with neighbors. Fence fighting behavior can start abruptly and will continue until someone is hurt—and this dog behavior is tough to manage once it starts. Some dogs are teased behind fences, which can certainly cause human aggression.
Lots of unwanted dog behaviors can happen within minutes, so it’s best to hang out with your dog to prevent these behaviors from happening instead of trying to address them later. Prevention is key, and it takes much less time than changing behavior.
Dogs can eat sticks, stones and so many other harmful objects within seconds. Surgery is often required to remove ingested acorns, pinecones, pine straw, mulch and so forth, which can cost thousands of dollars and even your dog’s life.
Backyards may contain poisonous mushrooms, frogs and stinging insects, which become fatal within hours. If you’re outdoors with your dog, you can prevent your dog from chewing or ingesting harmful objects. If your dog is stung, you’re aware of the insect that stung your dog, so your veterinarian will be able to quickly save your dog’s life.
We’re often asked, “What’s so bad about leaving Rover outside all day?” The answer in short is that each dog and household is different.
It’s not as simple as closing your dog outside in the yard and walking out the door for work. If you plan to leave him outdoors, you’ll need to ensure he has access to basic needs. Does he have fresh water? Is there ample shade throughout the day as the direct sunlight moves through your yard? Is there a cool place where he can get away from the elements? Is the fence secure? Are there things in the yard that could be harmful to him if he started eating or chewing them? Does he bark while you’re away?
With summer on its way, I feel bad leaving my dog cooped up inside all day. Is there anything wrong with leaving him in the backyard while I’m at work?
Lastly, be sure exercise your dog before you leave or schedule a dog walker in the afternoon. A bored dog in the back yard will gladly find things to do – chasing squirrels, barking, digging holes, or chewing to name a few. Regardless of where he spends his day while you’re away, a tired dog is almost always a good dog.
For newly adopted dogs, puppies, adolescents, and high energy dogs, you might consider some alternatives. You could try giving your dog the option to stay outdoors or come inside. A dog door is the perfect way to see if your dog really wants to sunbathe all day or if he actually prefers to wait in the living room for your return. A dog door also gives him the option to relieve himself outside instead of holding it.
How to Train a Dog to Stay in the Yard (A Simple Method)
Is it okay to leave your dogs outside all the time? Reddit user WildSkunDaloon doesnt think so. They believe that people who keep their dogs outside all of the time are “total trash.”
“It kills me to see my neighbors dogs out in the yard 24/7 just… Existing.. I know theyre home but they just leave them there to die of boredom and absolutely beg for attention…ugh it breaks my heart because what kind of life is that for them?” They said keeping dogs outside is the same thing as locking them in a cage, but with more space.
WildSkunDaloon added, “I honestly dont see the point in getting a dog at all if all you plan to do with it is outta sight out of mind it in the yard till the day it dies.”
More members of the Reddit community weighed in on the proper treatment of dogs, when it comes to the issue of keeping them out of the house. Some people think its totally fine to keep dogs outside. “Their instinct is to be outside. Its not cruel to have your dogs outside if youre looking out for them,” one person commented.
Another noted that certain breeds prefer to be outside over inside. “I own a husky and huskies are not at all indoor dogs. He thrives being outside and he would have it no other way. Even in the winter when it is storming, he prefers to lay out in the snow (instead of his well insulated, spacious dog house) because thats what he loves and was made for. He is so loved, taken care of and has everything he needs,” they wrote. “Just because he lives outside, doesnt mean he doesnt have a good life and we are bad people.”
Others agreed, depending on the circumstances. Farm dogs are used to living outside could be happiest outside in their element. “I grew up on a farm and our dogs lived outside full time with the exception of dangerously hot/cold weather,” one user revealed. “Pretty sure they were about as happy as any dogs could hope to be.”
However, some Reddit users thought that dogs should not be left outside all the time. “I have a couple of neighbors who just chain their dogs up outside 24/7. Theyre never given attention, or even let off the chain to run around. It breaks my heart that they spend their whole lives chained or caged in a small square foot area, with no interaction.”
Some said whether or not you should leave a dog outside all the time depends on the circumstances. “If they are given enough space, 24/7 access to water, and appropriate shelter, Im okay with it,” one user wrote.
Giving your dog their own access to the house made it okay to leave them outside, one user insisted. “Personally I live in the suburbs and we have a doggy door for our dogs, so when the dogs wanna go outside and play, they can do that, but they dont get stuck out there because I forgot about them,” they said.
Someone else said theres no comparison between leaving a dog outside 24/7 with necessities and the extreme of constantly keeping a dog in a cage. “I dont think a dog living outside, free to roam but with a place to call home where people feed it and provide outside shelter for it is anywhere close to the extreme of caging a dog all day while youre at work,” someone chimed in. “Alternatively, people who keep their dogs inside 100% of the time are total trash,” another offered.
According to the Pet Health Network, there are no really good reasons to keep your dog outside all of the time. “Sadly, often dogs are left outside by dog-owners that arent putting enough effort into their pets,” the site claimed. “Whether theyre unwilling or unable to train and socialize their dogs, or whether they have unrealistic expectations of their dogs behavior, some people find it easier to just keep their dogs outside.”
They also noted that dogs are pack animals, so when dogs are adopted, they want to be part of the “pack” that is the family. The site encourages welcoming their dog into their “pack” when adopting.