But she's doing the best she can with what she has. Steroids aren't cheap and if they work then it's better than switching and swapping foods.

Just sat and ploughed through the 48 pages of this. Can everyone just agree to disagree.

Each dog is individual to it's circumstances, which are created by us humans. If they're brought up in a certain way, they know no different so don't miss what they never had.

I had a gsd x akita dog which preferred to be outside, I tried to have him as an indoor dog but he didn't like it He spent all day and night in the back yard, he'd come indoors and say hello, have a cuddle, eat his dinner, go for his walkies etc but as the door was always open he would take himself off outside, I even watched him once when it was snowing laid outside, covered in snow playing catch the snowflakes I called him to bring him indoors, which he did but he prowled and whined until I opened the door and he happily went back outside. He was like that from being 8 weeks old However I enforced him being inside at night at that age but by 6 months he was outside almost permanently. I ended up turning my outhouse into a kennel for him but he rarely used it.

It was his choice to be where he was no-one forced him we had a great bond and I have some brilliant memories of him, certainly no less of a bond than I have my current indoor dogs

I haven't read all of this but I do think that dogs are extremely adaptable and it is how I want my dogs to be.

Whilst I personally would never chain my dogs they live in the house and they also have kennels and runs outside. We have a mobile home where they all sleep in kennels and runs when we are there and they also spend nights in the van at shows etc.

My dogs are happy wherever. They get plenty of time spent with them, walking, training, playing, and just being with them.

If I had to say which they prefer I would honestly say the van. They all know that the van means they are going somewhere great fun.

Finally reached the end of this thread (it was on 25 pages when I left) an I didn't think this would be my bedtime reading! I'm not quoting every one because I'm on y phone and it takes too long.

I think that we are all going to have to agree to disagree.

Jackbox. SLB did text me asking for more info. I've been in work so haven't been able to get on. She isn't lying, and neither am I. The kennel is on raised flags, so it doesn't get any water in. And I'm sure if there house was flooding they would move the dog it's sort of ok between two farm buildings (not a tiny gap in between either, a small yard)

The dog in question in my eyes is well Looked after and loved, she is only really alone at night, and a bit in the day when there's no one in the yard. She is exercised well and eats well. Maye they could have her in a run but that's not my choice it's theirs and like moobli's dogs the dog has no issue with being on the chain, she sees her kennel as her "nest"
I will try and get some pictures of the dog either off my friend, or when I am next up at their farm, which should be some point this week as I'm handling their horses at the minute.

Can you please quote a post where I said chaining dogs is cruel? Maybe I am having a complete memory lapse, but I cannot remember saying that, at all. I have no need to.

What do you want? Exact figures?

It, of course, depends on the size of dog and the size of crate. A small dog in the large crate would be able (IMO) to be in a crate for longer, than a large dog in a large crate...

My apologies, you said you didn't agree with it, not that it was cruel.

I think there is only one reflection in your mirror, your own ,


What post

Not really an answer but not really surprised.

What is a large crate? what is a small dog? how long is too long?

rune

If you think we haven't tried everything we could before putting him (at the vets advice) onto steroids you are wrong.

No diet will cure a dog of a grass allergy, we have taken care to provide a (not very cheap) diet that excludes his other allergents but unless we make him a prisoner and never take him out he will come into contact with grass and birch (his main problems).

I do wonder where you think the money would come from for an even more expensive diet though - we can't work longer hours it would kill us and I don't think that would help the dogs at all as it was obvious very quickly why Duncan was in a shelter waiting for adoption, not too many people will take on a dog that needs as much as he does IMO.