Are dogs happier outside?

Can a dog live happily outside, I've heard time and again that the answer is no. However my parent husky seems to be doing just fine. She's 5 months old and has been living outside her whole life. All her needs are met. She has plenty of space to run around and explore. She has a dog house to protect her from rain and wind. She has a constant supply of water and is eating well. My parents are retired, meaning they're home a lot and my dad spends a lot of time in the garden. He gets several hours of interaction a day. She doesn't have any behavioral problems like barking or whining. She doesn't even want to go inside.

You may have noticed already, but your dog loves being outdoors. For them, it is absolutely an opportunity to play and let loose. Their health depends on physical activity and exertion: Your dog requires exercise to stay mentally and physically healthy. Without it, their joints, muscles, mental acuity, and behavior can be impacted. Just be sure to supervise extended periods outside. Being outdoors is inscribed in their DNA. Not only do dogs love being outdoors because it offers them a sense of that hereditary freedom, but they also can roam and explore. They love a change of scenery. Active dogs are healthy and happy dogs. Dogs love being outdoors and making this possible for them as often as possible is one of the most important things we can do as pet parents.

Dogs have a need to be social just like we do. 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 need to spend time with their people in order to learn their rules and how to get along with them. 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. Dogs left alone in the yard for long periods of time often get bored, lonely and frustrated. Most dogs do enjoy spending time outdoors, but the time dogs spend alone outdoors must be balanced with quality time with their people. We believe that dogs of all sizes are happier, healthier and safer when they can be indoors with their people the majority of the time.

One effective way to get dogs to bark their heads off is to leave them outside in a yard alone. This is a well-meaning misconception that results in a lot of bored dogs at best and exacerbates or causes behavior problems at worst. Often people think that if they leave the dog in the yard, they’ll be having a really fun time, they’ll be playing and sniffing and enjoying themselves, but for many dogs, if they’re outdoors on their own, they’re going to be a bit bored. There’s this common misconception that dogs just want to hang out outside, that that’s more interesting for a dog than being inside. Dogs are very social creatures and they want to be with us, they’re not livestock, they’re not wild animals, they don’t want to be isolated in the backyard. You may think the dog is getting exercise in the yard, but if you’re not out there playing with him, probably not. Novelty is very interesting to most dogs, so if he’s been inside for six hours, yeah, going outside is going to be really exciting for five minutes, but then if he’s out there by himself, there’s no enrichment, no social interaction, then we find dogs who enter into boredom barking. Dogs need our companionship.

Most dogs cope well living outside if they have proper shelter, water, and protection from extreme weather. A suitable outdoor dog kennel - this should be large enough to allow separate sleeping and activity areas. It's very important that your dog can comfortably walk, run and wag their tail within the walls of their kennel, and can play, stand on their hind legs, stretch and lie down without touching another animal or kennel. Shelter and protection from rain, wind and sunlight - dogs should always be able to move where they feel more comfortable, away from direct sunlight and into the shade. Temperature and ventilation - heating and/or automatic cooling and ventilation may also be necessary to keep temperatures above 10°C and below 26°C. 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. Making sure your dog has appropriate company is an important consideration for outdoor dogs. 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.

Dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy and happy, and so do humans. Taking your dog outdoors is a perfect opportunity for exercise. Exercise is essential for maintaining good physical and mental health. Spending time outdoors with your dog can provide some mental stimulation. They need it to stay happy and healthy. Exploring new environments, encountering new sights and smells, and playing new games are all great ways to stimulate your dog’s mind. Fresh air can have a positive impact on your mood. Studies show that spending time in nature helps alleviate stress and anxiety. It also helps lower your blood pressure and even improve sleep. Exploring the great outdoors with your pooch helps reduce stress and improves your well-being.

Dogs are pack animals, and once they are welcomed into a family, humans become their pack. You’re not going to get much joy out of a dog that spends all its time away from you. But leaving a dog in the backyard can lead to a number of bad habits in dogs that might force the owner to want to give the dog away. Some dogs left outside extensively become aggressive or hostile. It’s likely he just wants to be a part of his family. The best and happiest dogs are dogs that are a part of family.