‘Outside dog’ is a myth, Murraylands animal welfare group says

This story was contributed by Murraylands Animal Welfare Watch, and is the organisation’s opinion.

Most people consider their pets as members of the family, sharing our beds, our lounge rooms and our hearts.

But in some homes, dogs aren’t family members.

Some dogs aren’t ever allowed inside the home.

The myth of the outdoor dog persists despite constant urging from rescue and animal welfare groups that dogs need to be indoors with their families, especially during extreme weather.

Yet still many dogs live their entire lives in backyards – sometimes on heavy chains.

There are many reasons why forcing a dog to live outside year-round is unhealthy and unkind, and it’s not just about the weather.

Keeping pet dogs outside consigns them to a life of loneliness and frustration.

Dogs are highly social animals whose ancestors lived in packs – they hunted together, slept and played together.

They no longer have packs; they only have us.

Depriving dogs of human companionship by forcing them to live outside, alone, dulls their natural desires and is its own form of animal cruelty.

Dogs tethered in yards are forced to sit outside listening to the family going about its business; they can smell the dinner cooking and sense our every movement.

They wait and as the world goes by, and we live our lives ... they wait.

Many dogs love to be outside and some, in rural areas, sometimes prefer to be outside.

But it is important to be aware of when they need to join their families and seek shelter.

Dogs fear fireworks, storms and loud noises, they can overheat very quickly in warm weather and can get hypothermia in cold, wet conditions.

Please, this holiday season and always, bring your dog inside to spend quality time with you and your family.

Your dog will only be happy living outside if you live outside with him.

Thank you for caring.