Is it safe for my dog to be outside?

Don’t leave your dog unattended outside of your home. Several things can harm them, such as the weather, insects and other allergens, dogs, and people who might pick them up or play harmful games with them. Dogs left outside for long periods also tend to develop easily avoidable health issues.

Why shouldn’t I leave my dog outside?

As pet owners, we must treat our dogs and other pets as part of our family. If we leave our dogs outside, two things can happen: they can either be hurt, or they’ll hurt others, especially if they’re left for long periods.

This may even harm your relationship with your dog, making them distrust you. Some canines even grow to be aggressive towards their owners, who don’t know how to properly care for them.

We’ll list down several more specific reasons why your pup shouldn’t be left outside.

Unpredictable weather conditions

You can’t know what might happen when your dog is left outside of your home. If you live in UAE or in the GCC area, chances are, your pup might suffer from dehydration. 

Being exposed to extreme heat for hours can also cause your pup to suffer from heatstroke, which proves to be fatal in some cases.

Even if your dog is bred to survive the heat, not having ample protection from the elements can still cause them harm.

Insects and other allergens

Being exposed to insects, pests, and allergens is another reason why it can be harmful to leave your dog outside.

Here’s a short list of some of the insects and pests that can be harmful to your pup:

• Flies.
• Spiders.
• Mosquitoes.
• Ticks and fleas.
• Bees and wasps.

Some of these insects bring disease that your dog may contract.

Your dog can also be allergic to dust and pollen, which can make it hard for them to breathe properly if exposed to these.

Other animals

With other animals roaming around outside, your pup might get into trouble with them.

Cats and dogs specifically can get aggressive and attack them. They might also contract rabies if they’re exposed to rabid animals within your area.

Your dog can also get triggered if they’re left outside. This is especially true if they’re not yet trained how to interact with other animals properly. They can get aggressive and attack other dogs, and may even bite other people walking past them.

Can I leave my dog outside as a form of punishment?

No, you shouldn’t. There are several ways to train your dog and remove unwanted behavior in a manner that won’t be harmful to them or to others.

Misbehaving, especially when they’re young is a common trait in dogs. You can still help them change their behavior with the use of positive reinforcement.