Dogs outside unleashed vs cats outside unleashed?

[soleil]

Thoughts?

I ask because many cats roam free, and it is considered no biggie. A dog running free? Not so much. Usually a cat will run away, while a dog may approach you. Leash laws apply to both, yet I have never seen a leashed cat.

A couple of cats met their fate in my backyard. That was back when I had my lean mean doggie machine. Lovely dog to people. Not so much to other animals. But these cats climbed my fence, and, well, let's just say my Hutch didn't play too nice. Killed me. Hurt my feelings so bad, but these were not feral cats. They were people's pets. And these cats were left to roam free. One even got up under my hood.
It needed stitches on its ear after I cranked the car. Not to mention populating the cat world if they aren't fixed.

I've had cats, and I would let them outside unleashed for a few minutes, but that is hypocritical isn't it? I surely think so.

There is a cat that roams my backyard every night. I see him through the window, and I always hope he gets out before my doggies do. He has so far, but my dogs aren't as fast as my Hutch was. It ain't right.

[littlelamb]

My spoild puppy stays inside and only goes outside long enough to do her business and comes right back inside.

[RightCoast]

Doggie goes out, goggie gets a zap if she goes to far, doggie comes back in.

Kitties stay in. Lost one to a wild animal attack last year.

[longview]

I don't recall ever hearing of a cat attacking some undeserving person.  It does happens with loose dogs.  Loose dogs will gather in packs, too. 

Here, dogs run livestock and wildlife putting those at risk of injury.  Never had a cat wander in and chase cattle or horses or the deer/antelope/elk.

Finally, I only consider cats to be maybe half-domesticated.  They will hunt with a purpose, not chase things arbitrarily like a lot dogs.

[Evil_Conservative]

When my cats did go outside, they were left to roam.  They always stayed near me and rolled in the rocks or grass.  Now that we have a toddler, I do not take them out front with us.  The cats do have a leash & collar that they would wear some times.  Now when they go out, they hang out on the balcony and sleep out there in the afternoon. 

I do have a problem with unleashed dogs since I do not know if they are running up to attack or just out of curiosity.  We have a cat (with a collar) who hangs out at our neighbor's patio.  She some times approaches me in the morning, but Carleigh likes to say, "THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT" and the cat gets scared and hides when she sees us now.

[mamacags]

I have one outside and one inside cat.  The inside cat goes outside too now to go potty but then comes back inside to sleep for the other 23.8 hours a day.  They stay in my yard mostly.  They are both fixed and up to date on their shots.  As much as I love them I would rather them die out having fun that die of morbid obesity on my couch.  I had a 20+ pound cat that couldn't even run.  He was pathetic to watch and just died one day laying there.

[Flame]

I hate seeing dogs OR cats roaming where I live now...just too much traffic, and it's dangerous.

If I still lived in FL, my cats would be able to be outside.....we had tons of space around us.

[njpines]

We have an Australian Shepherd who is genetically incapable of running away -- it would mean leaving her Herd (us). There's a white picket fence around the front part of our yard which is "her" yard and the gate is often wide open and she will stop and not go through the open part unless she's called.  Aussies are very unique and most of Mattie's herding behavior seems to be instinctual.  She is, by far, the smartest dog I have ever known -- no offense to the German Shepherds I have had previously.  The only downside is that she's a control freak and the cat makes her insane because he does what he wants, not what she wants him to do!    There's a huge battle of wills going on between the 2 of them, every SINGLE day . . .

[IassaFTots]

We have an Australian Shepherd who is genetically incapable of running away -- it would mean leaving her Herd (us). There's a white picket fence around the front part of our yard which is "her" yard and the gate is often wide open and she will stop and not go through the open part unless she's called.  Aussies are very unique and most of Mattie's herding behavior seems to be instinctual.  She is, by far, the smartest dog I have ever known -- no offense to the German Shepherds I have had previously.  The only downside is that she's a control freak and the cat makes her insane because he does what he wants, not what she wants him to do!    There's a huge battle of wills going on between the 2 of them, every SINGLE day . . .

I hear ya!  I have a Blue Heeler that is the same way.   He gets mad when we get out of our chairs.  I would love to walk him, but some of my neighbors have wayward fences and dogs that like to get loose.  I don't want to get in the middle of a fight between another dog and Angus.  As for the cats, I don't really have any problem with them traipsing through the neighborhood.  They don't stay in my yard too long, because Angus thinks they are his friends, as his best friend is Mikey, the cat that thinks he is a dog.  Poor pup, he doesn't even get that he is not supposed to like cats. 

[Eupher]

We've got two dogs and zero cats. A huge yard - probably close to 2 acres, with a pond on one edge, fenced in with 16-ft. cattle panels and T-posts. It's a yard big enough for Lexie, our Lab/pit bull/whatever mix. Whatever's lurking around the perimeter, she's on it - including a baby bird that was fledging and stuck in some weeds alongside the fence.

Scratch one baby bird.

Belle, our golden retriever, got real interested in a huge (about 12" diameter) snapping turtle that was looking to get back where he came from. I got her away from the turtle because she's clueless and would've been bitten, most likely.

Then, when the two lap dogs from next door decide to climb through our fence and shit in our yard, Lexie's all over that too. She does NOT put up with any bullshit. 

[NHSparky]

Cats are indoor only.  We have wolves around my house.  And kitty carcases.

Dog goes out to play and potty, but is VERY good about staying in the yard.

[Karin]

she's a control freak and the cat makes her insane because he does what he wants, not what she wants him to do! 

  Too funny!

The front of my house is a busy road, and the back is woods.  Because of the busy roads, we leash-walk our cats.  The ancient, elderly Duchess goes off leash, but she just sits there like a bump mainly. 

Here's a good thread to drop this in:  2 months or so ago, my husband dropped the leash on the 6-year old cat (whom he loved dearly).  She took off like a shot, and disappeared.  He was beside himself, because he thought she'd hung herself with that leash.  So depressed and upset.  Two months go by, I've written her off, and guess who comes home?  It's HER!  Skinny and full of burrs, I picked her up and ran inside screaming "THANK YOU GOD THANK YOU GOD THANK YOU GOD!!!!"  She's gaining weight and doing fine.     

[RightCoast]

 
Here's a good thread to drop this in:  2 months or so ago, my husband dropped the leash on the 6-year old cat (whom he loved dearly).  She took off like a shot, and disappeared.  He was beside himself, because he thought she'd hung herself with that leash.  So depressed and upset.  Two months go by, I've written her off, and guess who comes home?  It's HER!  Skinny and full of burrs, I picked her up and ran inside screaming "THANK YOU GOD THANK YOU GOD THANK YOU GOD!!!!"  She's gaining weight and doing fine.     

When my wife and I were dating she lived with me before we got hitched, I had a 26 pound evil tempered gray cat. After about 6 months she yells upstairs to me that there was a scruffy-looking white cat meowing to come in - he was also mine, it took me almost 20 minutes to convince her that I had another cat that she'd never seen. Finally had to show her pictures. He left for days/ weeks/ months and I never knew where he went. Came back dirty as heck then went into a closet (near his food bowl) for a day or two and came out looking pretty as the day we got him.

[BadCat]

Not a single one of my seven cats has ever put a paw outside.

[soleil]

I don't recall ever hearing of a cat attacking some undeserving person.  It does happens with loose dogs.  Loose dogs will gather in packs, too. 

Here, dogs run livestock and wildlife putting those at risk of injury.  Never had a cat wander in and chase cattle or horses or the deer/antelope/elk.

Finally, I only consider cats to be maybe half-domesticated.  They will hunt with a purpose, not chase things arbitrarily like a lot dogs.

No cats don't usually attack people like dogs do. But I see more dead cats on the side of the road than I do dogs. Or really even almost any other animal (besides armadillos??).

[soleil]

  Too funny!

The front of my house is a busy road, and the back is woods.  Because of the busy roads, we leash-walk our cats.  The ancient, elderly Duchess goes off leash, but she just sits there like a bump mainly. 

Here's a good thread to drop this in:  2 months or so ago, my husband dropped the leash on the 6-year old cat (whom he loved dearly).  She took off like a shot, and disappeared.  He was beside himself, because he thought she'd hung herself with that leash.  So depressed and upset.  Two months go by, I've written her off, and guess who comes home?  It's HER!  Skinny and full of burrs, I picked her up and ran inside screaming "THANK YOU GOD THANK YOU GOD THANK YOU GOD!!!!"  She's gaining weight and doing fine.     

That is great! Cats can definitely survive better out there. They are fine by themselves. Poor little kitty.

[soleil]

Not a single one of my seven cats has ever put a paw outside.

If I were to have a cat now, I'd be the same. I was the one left feeling horrible when those cats got in my backyard and my dog killed them. But what could I do? I had him fenced in. I had to go tell the people that my dog killed their cat. They weren't ugly to me, but I knew they were pissed. I would be too I am sure, but what could I do? And the dogs I have now aren't fast enough to catch a cat, but my Hutch was the man. He was a scrapper. He was a mutt, but he could catch birds, squirrels... You name it, he could get it. He was fast. Unfortunately not fast enough for that truck that hit him and kept going. And he was leashed, but the leash broke and he took off. BAM! Right in front of my husband's eyes. At least the neighborhood cats are safe now.

[true_blood]

I have a dog and she goes out unleashed, but it's inside a huge fenced-in backyard. Plenty of room for her to stretch her legs. My friends have cats and the let the 2 older cats out and leave the younger one inside. There are foxes and coyotes around here.

[soleil]

I have a dog and she goes out unleashed, but it's inside a huge fenced-in backyard. Plenty of room for her to stretch her legs. My friends have cats and the let the 2 older cats out and leave the younger one inside. There are foxes and coyotes around here.

My dogs (I keep saying dogs, I only have 1 dog now  ) go out unleashed all the time. We have a secured fenced in backyard and a doggie door. They come and go as they please. But, I would never let them roam the streets or even the front yard unleashed. My neighbor has no problem doing that. The other neighbor is pissed because he keeps finding piles of dog poo in his yard. But still, it is the law for all animals to be leashed. The pound will take your cat (at least here they will) or a dog will, or a car, or another dog, or even a hawk... It's too risky IMO, and it isn't fair for the person who hits your cat with his car, or for the person who has to tell you his dog killed your cat. OR for all the kittens out there. Too many "free" cats aren't fixed. I will say it like Bob Barker does "help control the pet population. have you pets spayed or nuetered" and I will add Keep Them Inside.

[mamacags]

We have an Australian Shepherd who is genetically incapable of running away -- it would mean leaving her Herd (us). There's a white picket fence around the front part of our yard which is "her" yard and the gate is often wide open and she will stop and not go through the open part unless she's called.  Aussies are very unique and most of Mattie's herding behavior seems to be instinctual.  She is, by far, the smartest dog I have ever known -- no offense to the German Shepherds I have had previously.  The only downside is that she's a control freak and the cat makes her insane because he does what he wants, not what she wants him to do!    There's a huge battle of wills going on between the 2 of them, every SINGLE day . . .

Lucky dog!  Our 1/2 Australian Shep. is genetically incapable of staying put.  If she breaks her lead or slips through the door she is GONE!  Dumbass cutie runs straight up the main road too.  She is lucky to not have been smushed yet.  I want to get an underground electric fence but I am not sure a zap would stop her once she gets going.  That dog is fast!

[soleil]

Lucky dog!  Our 1/2 Australian Shep. is genetically incapable of staying put.  If she breaks her lead or slips through the door she is GONE!  Dumbass cutie runs straight up the main road too.  She is lucky to not have been smushed yet.  I want to get an underground electric fence but I am not sure a zap would stop her once she gets going.  That dog is fast!

The one in my profile pic is half Australian Shep. Such sweet dogs. And the zap didn't work for my heeler mix. It was pain he was willing to take to be free. 

[njpines]

Lucky dog!  Our 1/2 Australian Shep. is genetically incapable of staying put.  If she breaks her lead or slips through the door she is GONE!  Dumbass cutie runs straight up the main road too.  She is lucky to not have been smushed yet.  I want to get an underground electric fence but I am not sure a zap would stop her once she gets going.  That dog is fast!

Yes, they are!  Our son could never out-run her, she's an expert at the back-of-the-ankle nip (doesn't hurt, she's done it to me also!) and he'd end up in a heap on the ground.  We are nothing but a herd of sheep to her and no one is allowed to make a break for it! 

[true_blood]

My dogs (I keep saying dogs, I only have 1 dog now  ) go out unleashed all the time. We have a secured fenced in backyard and a doggie door. They come and go as they please. But, I would never let them roam the streets or even the front yard unleashed. My neighbor has no problem doing that. The other neighbor is pissed because he keeps finding piles of dog poo in his yard. But still, it is the law for all animals to be leashed.

How very true. My dog never goes out front unleashed, unless it's on the front steps with me. There is a leash law and I don't/wouldn't let me dog near the street or on other people's property.

[Evil_Conservative]

Lucky dog!  Our 1/2 Australian Shep. is genetically incapable of staying put.  If she breaks her lead or slips through the door she is GONE!  Dumbass cutie runs straight up the main road too.  She is lucky to not have been smushed yet.  I want to get an underground electric fence but I am not sure a zap would stop her once she gets going.  That dog is fast!

My inlaw's have one of those fences.  One of their dogs got zapped and was too afraid to go back.  He was hit by a car and died.  They still have the sister of that dog.  She won't go any where near the "zap line".

[RightCoast]

Lucky dog!  Our 1/2 Australian Shep. is genetically incapable of staying put.  If she breaks her lead or slips through the door she is GONE!  Dumbass cutie runs straight up the main road too.  She is lucky to not have been smushed yet.  I want to get an underground electric fence but I am not sure a zap would stop her once she gets going.  That dog is fast!

We love the invisible fence (put it in ourselves for $250 from home depot plus $60 to rent an edging machine. Run the edger backwards and it makes a perfect trench.) If you do it get the better collar; ours beeps and vibrates instead of just shocking, and the shock can be adjusted up/down/off.

If you follow the directions for training very closely the dog won't go anywhere near the shock line. And you shouldn't leave the dog outside while you're not home, like we see some people do.