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Back before they cracked down on free roaming and off leash, we're talking the 70s here, one thing I recall is, the dogs I saw running free were typically Pits, Pit mixes and other mongrels. Normally I saw more such dogs in bad hoods than in good hoods. Just saying ....
I was born in 1943. There were a few dogs who ran loose at the time—very few. Our dogs had fenced backyards to romp around. Responsible people took care of their pets then just as they do now.
When I was growing up in the 50's all the neighborhood dogs ran loose during the day in our rural neighborhood. Ours came when we whistled for her, and was always there when our schoolbus arrived. She lived a long life, 17, probably because she got a lot of spontaneous exercise and fun. We kids also roamed free all day when we weren't in school. We knew which dogs might be aggressive and avoided them. Dogs got smart and avoided cars. I remember only one, of many, who got hit. I wouldn't let my dogs run loose now though. And although schoolbuses go down my rural road several times a day, I never see kids playing outdoors any more either.
Last edited by Windwalker2; 09-21-2017 at 10:24 PM..
When I was growing up in the 50's all the neighborhood dogs ran loose during the day in our rural neighborhood. Ours came when we whistled for her, and was always there when our schoolbus arrived. She lived a long life, 17, probably because she got a lot of spontaneous exercise and fun. We kids also roamed free all day when we weren't in school. We knew which dogs might be aggressive and avoided them. Dogs got smart and avoided cars. I remember only one, of many, who got hit. I wouldn't let my dogs run loose now though. And although schoolbuses go down my rural road several times a day, I never see kids playing outdoors any more either.
Thank you. I was beginning to think I had imagined it!
Almost none of that applied to our household, literally.
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Good grief... I'm not suggesting it would practical for dogs to roam free NOW. Traffic is worse, no one is home all day, kids don't even play outside anymore; they're all indoors on video games and the Internet because that's 'safer.' My whole point is that society has changed to the point where dogs CAN'T live the normal dog life they once lived. Man doesn't seem to have the same need for dogs, whether to do jobs or simply provide companionship (again, the Internet does that). They seem to me to be shoved into ever-increasingly tiny corners of people's busy, over-scheduled lives and made to behave in unnatural ways (dragged along behind a runner or warehoused into a crate all day because they would otherwise be "bad" -- read: anxious, bored, and lonely -- home alone all day). And I feel sorry for them. If you "dote on" your own pets (as I do mine), I would think seeing dogs not properly valued or respected would trouble you; not make you defensive. But I could be wrong.
But you are basing all dog ownership on your narrow view of things (all our views are narrow, especially if you think that is the way it is everywhere).
I wouldn't have gotten a puppy if I worked all day, I'm home. Around my neighborhood dogs are out on walks, runs and the park all the time. Mine goes for a run next to my bike, to the lagoon to swim and the dog park, and hiking. He is in his crate when he wants.
Why do you assume your view applies to most of anything? That's illogical. I will take your word on the view you have of dogs that you see.
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To me, it seems as though canines have become more like family members than the old house or farm dogs who would often sleep outside and fend for themselves. Our society has created a different status for them (for the most part), and I am eternally GRATEFUL for that. One only has to observe the plethora of hi-end pet care products and stores out there, as well as specialty vets, training classes, etc.
Unfortunately, we'll always have those pockets of irresponsible, treacherous losers who breed without impunity and those who purchase or adopt without forethought or planning. Here in SE PA, many of our adoptions come from associations in the South who are simply brimming with needy dogs even though we have plenty of them up here.
I know that mine have "The Life of Riley" which many children don't even experience. I have lived in moderately-sized homes with LARGE back yards where the first thing I do is put up a six-foot fence. Plenty of running room, nutritious food, supplements, mental stimulation, the best vets and specialists and caring "sitters" when I work full days.
I don't do dog parks; that set-up, as far as I've observed, is way too dubious for my taste. The only dog I ever allowed to "run free" was one of my late Dobermans, Luna. I took her for a vacation at the Jersey Shore for a few days when she was 5. We went to an empty beach at about 6 am or so. She saw the ocean for the first time, and her eyes became as large as GOLF BALLS. She looked at me as if to say, "What the H. is THAT? It just keeps going!!!" I then took a deep breath, and unsnapped her leash. "Go ahead, Girl. It's okay." She ran that beach like a lunatic - and I experienced one of the most joyful moments of my life.
It's not that modern owners are "irresponsible," per se. It's that they're BUSY, and dogs aren't potted plants. They need attention, diversion, company (if not human, then canine), stimulation, occupation; many breeds need a job to be happy.
Sorry, but every family dog I personally know is - in my opinion - neglected. They sit home alone indoors all day while the family works and attends school... Then the family is gone most of every night to kids' activities, shopping, socializing, on trips, etc.; they're lucky to be taken out for five minutes to relieve themselves. You all content that's not the norm today?
Even when the owner is home, he's watching TV or staring at his phone; not interacting with the dog as for centuries past.
You are that rare modern pet-owner I mention who is with his animal most of the time and gives him the attention he craves, needs, and deserves. And yes, that's bliss to a dog, but I believe it's fairly rare today -- at least among younger dog owners.
The younger ones are the ones with the self-diagnosed emotional issues that necessitate them needing to pass their dog off as an ESA.
Sorry, but every family dog I personally know is - in my opinion - neglected. They sit home alone indoors all day while the family works and attends school... Then the family is gone most of every night to kids' activities, shopping, socializing, on trips, etc.; they're lucky to be taken out for five minutes to relieve themselves. You all content that's not the norm today?
Even when the owner is home, he's watching TV or staring at his phone; not interacting with the dog as for centuries past.
Sorry I still do not feel this is so. When I grew up my dad worked all day and often had business meetings as well and came home late ate dinner then relaxed, he was not out socializing with the two dogs. My mom was a housewife and taking care of a home with 6 kids is a lot of work. When she was not inside working she was outside tending her gardens so sure she was around but once again not really doing a lot with the dogs. Mt parents did not have time to walk the dogs.
The dogs were out door dogs and one was free roaming like you talk about as we did not live in a busy city and traffic down the neighborhood roads was not much.
The 4 of us kids were in school all day except for summer, came home and had chores to do, homework to do, and hung out with neighborhood kids so yeah the one dog would often hang with us then as would other kids dogs but once again they were not being walked, not being taken to a beach to run or taken to new places to explore. Life for them and the other neighborhood dogs was hanging out in the neighborhood. They did not get to snuggle with us when we got to watch a little TV after dinner or sleep in our rooms.
After we moved and lived in a busier neighborhood the dog we then had got to be indoors, got walks even though there was a fenced yard so he was the beginning of what dogs in my family became and yes I think he was happier then the previous two dogs as just being inside with his humans meant he could snuggle when we watched TV or lay near us as we did home work or even our chores. He was not standing outside hoping a human would walk out the door and give him some attention.
So I think dogs of the past did not have as much socialization, many I knew growing up saw the owner when they were fed and spent most of the time outside all alone. While most I know now are indoors with the owners when they are home, go on walks, many do dog sports and in the evening sure the owner might watch TV or be on the computer but the dog is often curled up right with them so not curled up alone outside.
I just do not see how that is such a grand life. I would much rather be one of the dogs I own now. I think it is way too easy to romanticize the past .
My chocolate lab has a place...right in my lap. It's her favorite place.
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