What I did for my dog

[Horse with no Name]

As I stated on here last week, we were projected to get up to 20" of rain and was unsure of what to do with my pooch during the storm.
He isn't mannerly enough to come in the house--he snaps at the baby, he has to be medicated to crate him, and it was looking like a muzzle/crate/medication was the best solution.
Instead though, I took an alcove off the back of my house and raised it two feet off the ground to the same height as the house.
I then built an enclosure for him. I opened a bale of hay for him to lay on for bedding.
He loves it! He hasn't been out of his "house" for more than a couple hours a day since I built it.
During the wind and rain on Saturday, he sprawled out all day--caring less about the weather. There is a window from my bedroom that I can watch him and he can see in, so he doesn't feel isolated.
This will sure come in handy during the coming winter to give him a safe, warm place to lay during the weather.
Thanks all for the great suggestions provided!

[Marlie]

1. Dumb Question, I realize

But why even have a dog if he's never allowed in the house?
I'm glad you feel better you can watch him from your bedroom window
so "he doesn't feel isolated". Huh? It sounds as though you love
him but personally, I feel any pet you pick to care for, should be
part of a family. Being alone all the time would certainly be
a good reason for a dog not to be mannerly. Well, thanks for doing
what you did for him - at least he sounds better off now than before.

[cynatnite]

2. We had a dog that was never allowed in the house...

She was part of the family and we loved her. Reality was, she was too big to be inside. She had a great doghouse she loved and there was plenty of room in the back for her.

Nothing wrong with having a dog that's not allowed inside. My mother had a cat she never allowed in the house. He lived under it for years.

[FreedomAngel82]

7. Same with my great-grandma

When she was a live she had a cat that was a barn cat. She mostly stayed there and came around the house for food and stuff.

[Horse with no Name]

4. Aren't you judgemental?

You prefer I let the dog rip my granddaughter's face off?
Personally--he is a very large dog. He is a stray we took in and was never house trained. We did try unsuccessfully before the baby was born.
We play with him outside and he is well taken care of.
So who is to say he isn't part of the family?
Sounds like you might have a mighty tall high horse to crawl down from.

[Marlie]

9. I do apologize

I didn't realize the circumstances. We have two small dogs and
one very large 150 lb. dog and the breeder said, under no
circumstances could we purchase this puppy unless we kept him
with us most of the time, as any dog may turn if not with family
members and the worst thing would be a big, mean dog. You do
sound like you did the best thing possible. Didn't read your first
post and guess I shouldn't have stuck my nose in. He sounds happy
and that's what counts. We have horses too. Guess I'm too much of
an animal person and deserve to be put in my place. My problem is,
sometimes I think I love animals more than people and that's just
not right. He sounds like he's getting lots of love and that's
what matters. Sorry, I was wrong to make judgments when I did not
know the whole story.

[lukasahero]

10. For the record,

I think this is one of the first sincere apologies I've ever read on DU. Thank you for making it. (Of course, my first reaction was just like yours and I'm not sure I could have taken the reprimand as gracefully as you did.)

Just thought you might like to know someone noticed.

[Marlie]

14. Thanks Luksahero

I'm an old liberal at heart and hate like hell to hurt anybody or
anything. Your post made me feel better.

[renie408]

15. It was a good apology and sincere...

I think a lot of times people get a little weird where animals are concerned. We have many animals and love them all like family, but I have also seen people who 'love' their dogs, cats and horses into neurosis. I think that there is a balance that people should maintain. Like raincoats for little dogs...that is just over the line.

[renie408]

13. What kind of horses do you have??

We raise, train and show hunters. TB's and TBX'x mostly.

[Marlie]

17. We have two horses

A quarter and a rescue (from the track) TB. We used to really be
into shows, etc. but now we simply ride occasionally and enjoy
their company. They are so beautiful, after all these years, seeing
them run in their pasture, still takes our breath away.

Good luck to you. Training and showing is so great, especially
when you win.

[Horse with no Name]

16. Thanks for the apology

Most people do try their best in circumstances.
I think sometimes we all tend to forget that.:hug:

[FreedomAngel82]

6. That's totally ridiculous!

I had a dog who was very much apart of the family but stayed outside all the time except in winter when it got too cold. Not every dog is allowed to be inside.

[renie408]

11. I have five dogs, six cats, 9 horses, a psychotic conure and

big ole tank full of fish. I have one dog that is obsessed with me (German Shephard. Dog is never more than ten feet away from me. EVER.) another rat terrier that sleeps under the covers in our bed, and right now I am looking at the Aussie sprawled out in my husband's chair and the fat black mutt who is laid out in the kitchen just waiting for scraps.

But we have an older female mutt dog that does not come in the house. She does not have 'house manners'. She chases the house cats, pees on the floor, will jump on the table and gets into the trash. We love her and she has a house on the back porch, but she just doesn't work in the house. We have also had cats that just couldn't grasp the litter box that were never allowed in.

It seems a little judgemental and odd for you to be dissing this guy for making a big effort to provide a secure, warm, dry place for his dog to sleep.

[Cleita]

18. Some dogs really can't come in the house, even though

they are lovely dogs outside of the house. It's nice to give them a comfy corner and place to hibernate in. My family just got a new puppy, a Labrador, and my son-in-law is busy building her a dog yard complete with doggy mansion, because she won't be able to go into the house once she gets too big. As it is, they are going to have to recarpet some of the rooms she is allowed in because.....

[truth2power]

3. You did good, Horse. Considering the circumstances. n/t

[FreedomAngel82]

5. That sounds like a great thing for your pet!

Aw, how sweet. :) I'm glad things worked out and yep it'll be great for the winter. When my family and I had my dog we used to keep him in the garage. From what you say your dog has plenty of room which is always a good thing. :)

[Piperay]

8. Since the dog can't be inside

I think you have done a really great job of fixing up a nice spot for him that is dry, warm and safe and most important of all he feels loved! :thumbsup:

[renie408]

12. It sounds like a nice, warm, dry place. I bet your dog is as happy

as a pig in mud. Good for you!!