By: Kelly Marshall
Submitted: 2011-11-08 17:38:00 | Word Count: 537
Many people put off getting a dog because they don't have a huge backyard or a big public park in their neighborhood. Yes, dogs have to be walked all the time in order to relieve themselves. In addition, exercise makes them happy and healthy.
However, dog ownership does not require a big backyard or public park down the street. Contrary to belief, dogs would rather be around their owners. They crave love and attention. Now, it is good for them to roam around and get their exercise, but sometimes too much space for a dog can create more problems than expected.
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Dogs like to mark their territory. When they have a large territory to roam, they want to protect it and fight off others that invade it. This is why dogs have problems with other dogs. They are constantly marking their territories. However, when a dog has a smaller space such as a family home and yard, it is easier for a dog to protect it. It will bark when it feels that something or someone is invading its space, thus it is easy for a dog to guard a smaller space such as your family home.
Dogs like to be around their owners. This is why outside dogs whine or bark when you put them outside. They are accustomed to being around their owners, which are now inside. When you put them outside, you have taken them away from their marked territory...you. You put them outside thinking that you are giving them plenty of space, but your inside dog wants to be inside with you.
Now there is such thing as giving a dog too little space. A dog should never be put into a boxed or chained space. He won't have any room to move around in this particular setting. Never put a dog into a space that is too small for adequate living.
On the other hand, too much space is not good either. There is a huge perception that the best place to own a dog is out in the country. This is because there is plenty of space for a playful dog to roam and have fun. When a dog has too much space, he thinks that it is all his and he has to mark and protect it. This causes the fights with the other country dogs.
In addition, a lot of pet owners that give up on ownership figure that the country is the best place to drop off their dogs instead of sending it to the pound. A dog that is on its own out in all of that open space has just as many chances to perish than one that is sent to the pound. What if he is hit by an automobile? What if he doesn't find enough food? What if another dog gets a hold of him? What if another type of animal crosses his path? What is he is exposed to the elements for too long of a period?
These are all arguments against a dog having too much space. All in all, a dog only needs so much space. He is the happiest when he is in the same space with his owner.
