Do dogs get lonely outside?

Dogs should not be tethered or chained, except for very short periods, as restraining a dog in this way can lead to injuries and also restrict normal behaviour, which can be very damaging to the dog's wellbeing. Don't let your dog become lonely or bored, and never leave them alone long enough to become distressed. Signs of a distressed dog included barking, howling or whining excessively, as well as panting, hiding and/or showing aggression. Making sure your dog has appropriate company is an important consideration for outdoor dogs. Social needs - always make sure your dog is able to behave normally and is provided with the opportunity for daily exercise, play and interaction with animals and people. Most dogs cope well living outside if they have proper shelter, water, and protection from extreme weather. A dog's physical, social and behavioural needs are very complex, and meeting these needs can be very hard, if not impossible, for dogs living outside.

Dogs have a need to be social just like we do. Dogs left alone in the yard for long periods of time often get bored, lonely and frustrated. Dogs that spend most of their time alone or only in the company of other dogs, may demonstrate fearful, aggressive or overactive behavior toward family members or strangers because they’ve never learned how to act around people. Most dogs don’t exercise when they’re in a yard by themselves; they spend most of their time lying by the back door, waiting for their people to either let them in or come out and play with them. Dogs that spend time with their owners and feel attached to them are more likely to be protective of their family. The outdoor dog is more likely to spend most of his time alone. Dogs may be safer from people and other animals in the garage than in the yard, unless people spend time with them in the garage, they’ll still suffer from isolation and, as a result, may develop any of the behavior problems previously mentioned.

Dogs are animals born to be part of a social structure, a pack or a family, yet this is denied them. They spend their lives on the outside, looking in. Bored and lonely, these animals are at an increased risk for developing any number of bad habits, such as digging craters in the yard, barking endlessly day and night and becoming chewers of outdoor furniture, sprinkler heads and siding. The experts say many of these dogs will never really bond with owners who interact with them so little. You arguably don’t get the benefits of companionship from a dog you see so little. Outdoor dogs sometimes become a problem to their owners. If you can’t let a dog be part of your family, then don’t get a dog.