Kennels or in the home - Page 1

I am about to purchase a working GSD for PSA.  I have heard conflicting theories on whether it is better to keep a working dog in the home or outside in a dog run or Kennel. Also, if you decide to kep the dog in a Kennel, is it easy to acclimate the dog into the home after you have titled him.  Thanks

Depends on your dogs temp. Will you be getting a pup, young dog, or seasoned adult? I choose to have small pups indoors for bonding and getting used to home noises, then move them out when they become old enough to get into trouble. I leave them outside until they have more control over themselves. Bringing them in occasionally for visits when I have my full attention on them and  nothing out they can get into. I don't like to say no or punish for things when younger so just steer them clear of any issues by keeping them kenneled or my full attention on them when inside. You'll never hear me on here whining about my couch being eaten or my flooring pulled up! If your smart about it, you can have a dog inside with no issues. I just don't have the time and believe dogs are dogs, and can live outside with no worries or thoughts that I am a terrible owner.

I know people who have their dogs inside and other keep them kenneled. Others have some in and some out, there isn't a "right" or "wrong" way indefinatly. It's up to your living arrangments, schedule and whats best for each indevidual dog and owner. My dogs tend to be out of control at 3-10 months and I don't want them in my house or locked in a crate when I can't be right there. My 2 year old would love to be a house dog, so he can keep his eye on me at all times but my 6 month old could care less. She likes her kennel and being able to swim in her tub whenever she wants, chew her toys and just be a little brat on her own terms. I'd probably crush her if she was with me 24/7 and she would ne nerotic if she was locked in a crate bored out of her mind. Other dogs are cool with sleeping all day in their crate.

The most important thing in this regard is what YOU do with the dog. If you ignore it all day, whether it be in the house or a kennel, it will be detrimental to the dog in the long run. If you provide opportunities for mental and physical stimulation, the dog should do fine. Otherwise, it becomes an issue of personal preference.

I am getting a puppy, and keeping him inside when he was is young, and moving him into a spacious run when he get's old enough to start causing damage.  I plan on working with the pup daily, and I am joining a local PSA club.  I definately won't be ignoring the dog.  I was just wondoring because I have heard some breeders will not sell pups to people who plan to keep them outside.

We currently rent due to hubby's job location and due to the home owner's preferences, we keep ours kenneled.  However, I spend ample time with the dogs each day and they are only kenneled at night and during times we are away or unable to supervise them.

My dogs are exercised daily and allowed plenty of family time and socialization. 

My belief is that the majority of breeders who request the dogs not be primarily outdoor dogs is that they want to ensure their dogs are not lawn ornaments left and forgotten in the back yards as many people do when they are kenneled.

All dogs and especially GSD's, crave and rely on that human/dog bond.  No animal should ever be caged or kenneled and forgotten.

I too believe the house/kennel choice is a personal preference and everyone's situation is different.

Good for you hannibal, both for having a plan and choosing PSA.  Your already ahead of the game.

I would never subject somone to my dogs inside 24/7. Baden knocks things over and lemme tell you my furniture is not small, nor are delicate things down low due to kids. He'll still make a go at putting his tail through my dinette hutch doors. Thank God for solid Mission furniture! Kennel's are not evil, dumb people who leave their dogs in them without care are.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I am buiding a run in my back yard, and debating wherther to use K9 grass(turf) or normal grass.  Anyone have any feed back on using artifical turf in their dog run?

I'd do it if I could afford too. The dog will just tear up grass come winter and the rain. By sping you will be back to dirt with real grass. I looked into the turf and it seems cool, holds up well enough for comercial kennels and I guess you can clean it by hosing it off. Yucky stuff will go threw the mesh into the ground, still have to pick up the bulk poop and then wash the rest down.

I heard a great comment at a helper seminar a few months ago at my club. One of the visiting members stated that they had a dog that was "just a pet." One of the national level helpers there quickly stated "They are all pets..."  That is so true...or it should be.

With the right dog and the right training- it is not going to make a flip whether you keep the dog in a kennel or not. I feel that people say these things for all the wrong reasons and it really is a sad situation for working dog sports and for the animals that people are willing to pay such a price in the name of  "performance." Worse yet, it is generally the animals that pay the price of the handler's missteps, poor training, and mistakes.

I feel that if you raise your dog in the right way, they are going to work their heart out for you the same regardless of the fact that they are kenneled or sleep beside your bed.

Best wishes to you and your new companion- be good to him/her!

I agree that one shouldnt have a problem with having a working dog in the house. However, i think it would be easier to keep a working dog in a kennel just because you dont want to do certain things to inhibit thier drive or confidence. Sure, you can always redirect misbehavior, but that would mean everyone in the family would have to be really, really consistent about these things. Not everyone is sympathetic to tendicies of a working dog. You wouldnt want your children doing things to or with the dog that might be detrimental to it. Keep in mind that i do think children should be supervised with a puppy or dog at all times.But we all know that it is easier said than done. Same thing could be said about your spouse, who in some cases aren't as understanding about the dog as you are.

I've got a PSA1 titled dog living in the house with my family. My initial intention was to just have a pet around the house, but he soon showed me that he needed somthing to do. He likes to work and is a great dog around the house. Bieng my first sport dog and pet, i've made some mistakes with him along the way. I know he'll never be a national competitor, but that doesnt matter to me. Hell, im just thankful that i could take a pet store GSD with HD to the level that he is right now. But i've always wondered, what if i knew back then what i know now. Would things have been different? When he was growing up, i was in college and i had room mates and girlfriends who would knee him the chest for jumping, grab him by the muzzle for play biting, and yell at him for being a hyper GSD puppy. Of course, i stopped them when i saw it, but i wasn't always there. Needless to say, they would not be doing this now. But still, im sure these things added up together affected him in the long run.

So for the puppy that i'll be getting soon, he'll be in the kennel when he's old enough. Taking what i have learned from Duke, i'll try my best to do things right. Socialization, drive building, motivational OB, and not inhibiting the dog from being a dog. A really good trainer once told me, "You can always knock down drive, but you cant always build it back up." And that is one thing i want to avoid. When he's done with his competition career or close to it, he'll retire with me inside my house.

But the goals i have with this puppy are different form the goals i had with Duke. So ultimately you must look and see what you want out of this dog. See where the benifits lie and make your decision there.