Bout Time!! ... The owners should be chained by the neck till they squeel.

How about the owners who leave their dogs to run free in the backyard and bark all day while they're at work?

I guess you have to start somewhere. PG is home to the least responsible dog owners around.

I had to think about this because my dog is sometimes chained when outside or otherwise she runs away.

On the American Humane Society site are these notes:

11. Should chaining or tethering ever be allowed?

To become well-adjusted companion animals, dogs should interact regularly with people and other animals, and should receive regular exercise. It is an owner's responsibility to properly restrain her dog, just as it is the owner's responsibility to provide adequate attention and socialization. Placing an animal on a restraint to get fresh air can be acceptable if it is done for a short period. However, keeping an animal tethered for long periods is never acceptable.

12. If a dog is chained or tethered for a period of time, can it be done humanely?

Animals who must be kept on a tether should be secured in such a way that the tether cannot become entangled with other objects. Collars used to attach an animal should be comfortable and properly fitted; choke chains should never be used. Restraints should allow the animal to move about and lie down comfortably. Animals should never be tethered during natural disasters such as floods, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes or blizzards.


I think that the main word in the article above is 'continuous'. Clearly there are ways to provide your dog an outside environment that is ok that some alternatives, and as the above poster notes, there are other problems as well.

Just a few thoughts.

What I don't understand is someone that gets a dog, often large, and does not have an appropriate property to contain that animal. most especially the apartment dwellers that insist on not only having a dog, but a large breed.

This behavior has gotten out of hand. If the dog needs to be tied out all day and often at night, don't be so cruel to the animal, and the neighbors.

We have a large dog that is 100 #. She is tied out as needed on a 100 ft run with a 30 ft lead that allows her to roam the entire yard. As soon as someone comes home she is let off. Plus we have a 1/4 acre fenced yard for her when we are home.

This also applies to cats. I can't stand cats for two reasons:
1) I am allergic
2) It seems that every lonely urbanite especially females needs to get a cat, then they have 5, then they can no longer be counted.

Disgusting little creatures scat in the gardens and howl all night in heat and bring dead things.

Open Cat season? No collar is fair game?

Most people shouldn't own dogs or any other pet for that matter. They just don't seem to have them mental faculties to deal with the responsibility.
Come to think of it, the same statement could apply to children.

"What I don't understand is someone that gets a dog, often large, and does not have an appropriate property to contain that animal. most especially the apartment dwellers that insist on not only having a dog, but a large breed."

I'm totally in agreement. Even most suburban sinlge-family homes and their relatively small yards are inappropriate for large breeds, unless the owner is willing to walk the dog at least twice a day -- which most do not.

As far as cats go, if they're wandering around the neighborhood, they should be trapped and sent to the SPCA, collar or no collar. Cat owners who let their cats wander the neighborhood have no consideration as to where the cat does its business... which is usually in our yards and gardens.

EBS&L: indeed

MrPG: Great minds!

I have two boxers. We have a half an acre and even when the fully enclosed back gate is open our dogs never leave the property unless they are with us. The are never left outside tethered! They have their own bed, couch and one of us is always touching them one way or the other. We always tell them that they are hot house flowers! I have seen neighbours in the past who had their dogs chained 24/7 everyday in the name of "its a gaurd dog". It is true what they say about how they become. So sad. You get a dog if you are willing to LOVE them with all your heart. There should be no other reason.

My dog never in his 16 years wore a collar... I wouldn't have that on my dog... maybe a couple of times to get him into the vet and out from the truck, but that was it. I never once had a problem with him... he never left the yard without my permission, and only required a hand gesture to know exactly what was wanted of him. Apollo 110 pound retriever always had his freedom and as a consequence had a huge amount of respect for me, and thus it was second nature for my dog to please me with good behavior.

People that chain up dogs especially for extended periods of time condemn their dogs to bad behavior, because the dog looses respect for the owner.

I think a dogs behavior is a reflection of the way the dog is treated by its owner.

Also respect is a far more lasting form of discipline than fear is... its been studied and proven that this is always the case... respect always wins out over fear.

If your dog runs away--he's not your dog! He doesn't like you. Set him free. When I had a dog,I couldn't kick him out! I have heard that cats make good martin bait. Just a rumor.

95% of us could use Cesar Millan.

I saved my dog and his 4 other siblings (shep./lab crosses) 13 yrs. ago from being shot by the mother's owner on property passed PGARA.
One afternoon years later thunder struck, my dog panicked and broke through the fenced yard and was roaming the neighbourhood. He got a taste of running the area and liked it.
We moved a few years ago to a house without a fence and had one chance of building one but that never happened...I'll let my husband tell that story...eh hemm. So now 13 1/2 yrs. later after first rescuing my dog he is 50% inside and when outside has to be on a run or I fear he'll be run over on the highway. I massage his hips, give him glucosamine, kids brush him and play with him. The love is there but yes he has to be on a run when outside out of fear of him being hit on the highway a couple of blocks away.
We also volunteer at the SPCA.
So I'm a hoping a dog run is better than just being chained to one spot??? Still feel guilty but this way he can have the whole backyard to move plus when he's inside he's free to move around. I'm sure I'm not alone????

Heidi,
You are wonderful!!!! That dog is very lucky to have you and your family.

With all due respect, there is no reason at all to ever having to chain or thether any dog. I have 2 dogs, and they are with me outside in a fenced yard, if I am inside, they are as well.
Of course when you are on a ferry you have to leash them, so do I.
Dogs cannot be guard dogs when they are stuck to a chain, the only thing they can do is bark, and bark, and yank on their chain.
Many dog attacks happen when dogs are chained, they have nowhere else to go and do what their instincts tell them to do.
Dogs are pack animals, and want to be with their human pack. Hey I work, and so does 99% of the population, and I do not have little dogs, Before I go to work the dogs get to exercise and in the evening, a tired dog is a happy dog..Please read the following article, it will explain as to why it is not right to chain/tether/pen a dog
Dogs Deserve Better, 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA/Chase Pet Protector Award, is a voice for chained and penned dogs, whose sadness speaks only through the eyes. As the days become years, many of these dogs sit, lay, eat, and defecate within the same 10-foot radius. Chained by the neck, they exist without respect, love, exercise, social interaction, and sometimes even basic nourishment. They live as prisoners, yet long to be pets.

Chaining is not only inhumane for dogs, but has taken a severe toll on this nation’s children as well. In the period from October 2003 through August 2009, there were at least 277 children killed or seriously injured by chained dogs across the country. Chained dogs, unsocialized with humans, can become very territorial of their tiny space, and any two year old who wanders into this space can be attacked and killed before adults can intervene. A recent attack in Texas in March, 2007 left 2 year old Carolina Sotello dead from head and neck wounds. She was attacked and killed by an unneutered male dog chained in the backyard, next to an unspayed female with puppies.

Would you for one second choose to live the life of these dogs? No matter what reason is given, the bottom line is that it is NOT ok to chain a dog for life. Dogs should not have to live chained or penned as prisoners, yearning for a place in a family, craving acknowledgement, respect, and love. They DESERVE BETTER, and we as caretakers have the obligation to provide it for them.

Please consider today how you can help the dogs in your neighborhood. If you see a chained dog or a penned dog daily, it is time to take action.

Does this also apply to Dogs that are locked in Crates? I don't understand how keeping a dog locked in a crate for hours and hours has now become acceptable? My dog runs free in the back yard and loves it. (At least he looks happy. and no, he doesn't bark all day,I've asked) It makes me really sad to see so called animal lovers lock dogs up in crates where they are forced to lie in their own crap, But yet I get called cruel for leaving my dog to run around and play with his toys all day. I actually read a training book that said your dog should be kept in a crate at all times when you are not interacting with them. Sorry but I find that mentality disgusting. Just my rant

That is not right to have a dog stuck in a crate all the time..However I do find crate training acceptable at times, esp when you have a dog with high anxiety but also when you have a puppy..it is the best training tool..( for a limited amount of time though.. When trained correctly, it will be a safe place for the dog(s). But for hours on end I do not agree with.
My dogs have the run of the house when I am not home..and when I am home, they are outside with me, and we go out together to the parks and what not.
Sticking a dog in a crate all the times is just as bad as placing a chain on the dog or leave them in a pen.
In what book did you read this? Ihave personally never ever heard of tactics like that.

Sorry, but what a bunch of hogwash! Let's start of by saying that yes, many people don't deserve to own a pet. They hurt them, don't socialize them, don't spend enough time with them, or give them their happy time. BUT, let's not forget why these animals were domesticated in the first place. That is to serve our needs in many facets of our lives. We have police dogs, dogs for the blind, hunting dogs, guard dogs, bomb and drug detection dogs etc. (the list is very long) Now, to say that all dogs need to run around free 24/7 to be just happy and comfortable is an absolute joke. We don't get that privilege, why should they? Some may argue that we are not more important than a dog. Well, maybe yes, maybe no. But we are certainly not less important. (I want my 24/7 free to run around do what I want happy time!) That's not reality folks! In my opinion, if you live in a high crime area (maybe aren't able to get insurance because of it) and police response time may be too long, why shouldn't you have a guard dog? The safety of your family should come before FUFU's 24/7 happy time. If you don't agree, take a public relation course. Maybe you can talk the thief, mugger or murderer out of stealing from you or maybe killing you and your family. And maybe talk him/her into rehab while you're at it. I mean, you already have them there right?
If your tethered dog is out barking all day/night and bothering the neighbors, well that's just ignorant and the owners should be charged. If the dog is so starved it can't stand up, same thing. There are some obvious cruel things being committed to animals. But, the line between acceptable and cruelty to animals these days is getting so ridiculous. More and more of our rights are being taken away by the powers that be, and to boot, we have extremists that encourage the same thing. I say NO! There are many wonderful breeds that were created (by people don't forget) to do jobs that we consider important. Now the SPCA wants to create another unemployment line for animals as well. NO, dogs became pets AFTER they did their job for the day because we appreciated their hard work and dedication. They have a purpose. If you want a dog/cat for the sole purpose of filling a void in your life, great. That's your choice, but don't tell me what to do. People that put pets on that high pedestal, probably have spoiled kids too! Everyone, including pets, should have the right to be productive members of our society. Our world would be so much better off, don't you think?

I am sorry, however dogs do not have the right to eaom 24/7..there is a by-law, and thankfully so..
To build a fence, to buy a crate cost money and to bring a dog into the home as a family member is free..Now you can do the math.
The SPCA is for PREVENTION my friend..so why do you think that is?
Yes I know that many dogs have a "job" and are very good at it..and that is awesome..
So I guess I do not understand your post. All we are trying to say is that it is not cool to chain up a dog..
As a matter of fact, a couple of months ago, I untangled a 6 month old pup..it was chained up..it could have died/suffocated..now those people have a fence..and the dog is inside..Would you want to see pictures of 6 week old puppies, who are tied up/chained? the chain is too short for the pups to lie down..yes that is abuse, and yes it is cruel..and should be punished by law. Send me an email I would love to send you my pictures..I have many..

Chaining up a dog may sometimes be the lesser of two evils. One or more dogs that are not contained can at times destroy or cause damage in your home, on your property, or that of someone else and that can be much more costly than a crate, kennel/run or even fencing your yard.
Sorry, but I don't believe the true intention of the SPCA is prevention. It is a business and is run as such. It hides behind the premise of goodwill. However, I believe that most people, be they volunteers or regular employees do have good intentions and truly care, which is why they are there.
I agree that there are people who abuse their 'pets' but to say that NO dogs should be chained is outrageous! It is more responsible to keep an animal contained safely so that it does not cause any problems to the owner or the public.
I suggest you look into the square footage that the SPCA endorses for their kennels for contained animals both in their shelters and in the pet stores that carry the 'adoptees' on their behalf. They are far smaller and more inhumane than even a ten foot chain, which gives the dog 314 sq ft of room to move in. This is over 3x the square footage of a 7x14 kennel/run sold at Costco.
If anyone was caught with their dog or cat in the conditions that they deem as acceptable for the agency, those animals would be taken away and the owners charged. This is where one starts to see the politics and business involved with the SPCA.
It is unfortunate that the pup you untangled was not set up properly with its chain. However, it can easily be done if one knows how and takes the time to do it. Regardless of what method is used to contain/control an animal, it should be done safely and with the best options in mind for that particular animal. Whether you use a chain, kennel/run, fenced yard or have the dog in your home, your dog should be healthy, free of parasites, be socialized and happy. I've seen plenty of free-running dogs that didn't look all too happy. They need security/structure in many areas of their lives just as we do. To label tethering a dog as being mean and cruel is as silly as saying a kennel/run or fenced yard that contains an animal is no better than a jail.