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I'm in a bit of a quandry. A friend adopted a lab/shepard mix 7 months ago. Shamrock is three years old and had never been in a house before. Once she got him, he housebroke quickly, loves the kids and cat and she claims he is one of the best dogs she has ever owned.
The issue is, he hates being indoors. When he is inside, he whines to go out. The yard is over an acre fenced. He has to be called in, he never whines to come back in. Given his druthers, he'd stay outside all day and night and be perfectly happy.
She feels like she is denying him the life he truely wants. She is more than willing to build him a great doghouse and provide anything he would need to be a happy outdoor pet. Having met Shamrock on several occasions, he does seem to be much happier out in the yard.
The problem is, he was adopted from a humane society that does not allow outdoor dogs. She signed a contract saying he would be inside, because that is where she planned on keeping him. She is worried that she would be breaking the law by putting him outside, or that the shelter will try and reclaim him.
What is the best thing for her to do? Shamrock is very loved by this family, and loves them greatly in return. He is provided good food and all the exercise he needs (He runs 3 miles morning and night, plays fetch and games with the children and is starting on noncompetative agility) so he is not understimulated. He is just a dog who is happiest rolling in the grass.
The issue is, he hates being indoors. When he is inside, he whines to go out. The yard is over an acre fenced. He has to be called in, he never whines to come back in. Given his druthers, he'd stay outside all day and night and be perfectly happy.
She feels like she is denying him the life he truely wants. She is more than willing to build him a great doghouse and provide anything he would need to be a happy outdoor pet. Having met Shamrock on several occasions, he does seem to be much happier out in the yard.
The problem is, he was adopted from a humane society that does not allow outdoor dogs. She signed a contract saying he would be inside, because that is where she planned on keeping him. She is worried that she would be breaking the law by putting him outside, or that the shelter will try and reclaim him.
What is the best thing for her to do? Shamrock is very loved by this family, and loves them greatly in return. He is provided good food and all the exercise he needs (He runs 3 miles morning and night, plays fetch and games with the children and is starting on noncompetative agility) so he is not understimulated. He is just a dog who is happiest rolling in the grass.