Back Yard Dog Tips

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Who Put the Dogs Out?

As dogs grow up, their inconsistencies oftenfrustrate their owners. One day your dog seems

all grown up; the next day, hes chewing his waythrough the house like a buzz saw. In a fit ofpique, you banish him to the backyard. At firstit may be just during meals to prevent begging,or when company comes, to prevent jumping.Next, its during work hours so he doesnt soil orchew when left alone. Before long, the dog isoutside all the time.

Turning a rambunctious adolescent into abackyard dog doesnt solve anything. It merelybrings temporary relief. True, your dog cantclimb into cranky old Aunt Ednas lap if hes

outdoors, but hell also never learn how tobehave appropriately around houseguests. Adog who is kept outside experiences socialisolation. He may engage in excessive barkingand howling in an attempt to reunite his pack.When a family member enters the yard to spendsome time with him, he erupts into rapturousleaps and vocalizations, displaying a level ofenthusiasm certain to squelch any possibilitythat that person will ever make a return visit.

Over time, an isolated outdoor dog will becomeexceedingly independent and difficult to train.

Whatever desire he had to please will be gone,replaced by the need to occupy his time in any

way possible. His motto becomes If it feelsgood, do it! Dig up the tulipbulbs. Excavate a cooling pit.Fence-fight with the dog nextdoor. Without human feedbackto the contrary, these are allrewarding activities for abackyard dog. There is nothing

wrong with letting a well-mannered dog spend a lazy

day lying in the grass, soaking up the sun or

playing in the fallen leaves. But when the yardtakes the place of teaching your dog appropriatehouse manners, you need to step back andexamine why you have a dog.

Come Rain or Come Shine

If your dog enjoys spending a considerableamount of time outside, he needs protectionfrom the elements.

A doghouse can offer access to cool shade on ahot day or shelter from the cold, rain or wind.When providing a doghouse, make sure theopening does not face into the wind during the

coldest months of the year.

If the opening is large, hang some plastic stripsover the doorway to keep heat in and cold out;and provide good insulated bedding, such asstraw, to keep the dog up off cold ground.

Remember to clean the place out every fewmonths to ensure that no other beasties haveset up housea nest of yellow jackets wasdiscovered in one spaniels outdoor shelter.

If your dog spends more than an hour outdoors

on a hot day or several hours outside othertimes of the year, make sure he has fresh wateravailable. Weigh down his water container, oraffix it to a stationary object in such a way thathe can't easily tip it over. His meals are bestserved in your house, because leftover food willattract unwanted insects and possibly wildlife.

For those situations where there is either nofence or a need to keep your dog out of certainareas such as your begonia bed, build a sturdyexercise pen, where your dog can do dogthings without incurring the wrath of family

gardeners or neighbors.

Dogs are companion animals and, as such,belong in our homes and in our lives. Justbecause you have a backyard doesnt meanthat

your dog should be restricted to it. Take thetime to teach him house manners and socializehim to the world beyond your property, and you

will discover you have within him the bestpossible companion.


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Why Do People Chain Dogs?

Most people who chain their dogs are not evenaware of the pain and cruelty they are inflictingon their pet. The owners do it because they lackthe time, energy or finances to train them orsimply didnt have the proper room to keep thedog in the first place. Before you decide to add adog, or any pet, to your home you shouldalways research everything you can first. Besure that you have the room, the time, themoney and the equipment before bringing anypet into your home, and never purchase a pet

on a spontaneous decision.

Dogs are not lawn ornaments! They are verysocial animals and when you become a dogowner you become his pack. They need and

want contact either from you or other dogs. Adog seldom receives this when they are chainedoutside to only be a member of the family whenit is convenient for the owner. This is veryharmful for the dog's mental health. They mayand probably will become withdrawn anddepressed. Compulsive barking, chewing anddigging could also result, which usually leads

the owners to take the dog to the shelterbecause of their ill behavior.

Although the dog may be receiving vet care anda plate of food, they need more! They need to bea active member of the family and if you decideto bring a dog in as part of your family, havingthe proper equipment, room, and time to makeit part of your family should be included in the

decision of whether you want a dog as a pet ornot.

One of the biggest mistakes made is thinkingthat a length of chain gives the dog plenty of

room to move; they can still get tangled up intheir chains. This may result in the dog notbeing able to get to the dog house, or the foodbowl and water bowl will get out of their reach.

This could be very dangerous in hot weather -imagine being very hot and very thirsty and

your glass of water just out of your reach.

Dogs that spend their lives chained have beenknown to grind their teeth down to stumps.Many will compulsively lick an area on theirbody until it turns into a bleeding sore - this willdraw flies, mosquitoes and other pests making

their already miserable conditions even worse.

The reasons people chain their dogs could bebecause of bad behavior, but chaining a dogdoesnt correct bad behavior, it makes it

worse. Chaining a dog causes aggressivenessdue to always needing to be on the defensesince it has no way to escape danger, andhyper-activeness because they are not gettingthe exercise they need. A dog with behavioral

problems needs to be trained not chained.

There are a variety of reasons why people chaintheir dogs outside.

Many people believe that dogs shouldliveoutside, and they keep the dog tied upbecause he or she escapes the yard or digsin the garden.


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Or maybe the dog has grown too large to beinside, or has developed a behavior problemthat the owner is unable to deal with, so thedog stays in the yard.

Or perhaps the dog is kept outside to protectthe home.

Whatever the reasons, fewer dog owners seem tobe keeping their dogs tied up outside. And manycommunities have passed laws against long-term chaining of dogs. Why?

First, more people are learningthat continuous tethering is badfor dogs. As pack animals, dogshave been bred for thousands of

years to form a strong attachment

to a human family. An otherwisefriendly and happy dog, when kept continuallychained and isolated, often becomes neurotic,unhappy, anxious, and aggressive. In fact,studies show that chained dogs are much more

likely to bite than unchained dogs.

In addition, chained dogs may hang themselvesif they are tethered too close to a fence and

attempt to jump it.

Chained dogs are also subject to attacks by

other animals and cruel humans.

Getting Your Dog off the Chain

Many dog owners have learned to solve theproblems that caused them to tie their dogsoutside in the first place. If you would like toprovide your dog with an alternative to a chain,consider these suggestions:

Install a fence if your property does notalready have one. Call ChainFree Ashevilleat 828-450-7736 for a free fence.

If you have a fence and your dog can jumpover it, install a 45-degree inward extensionto the top of your existing fence. Many homeimprovement stores sell these extensions.

If your dog digs under the fence to escapeyour yard, bury welded wire or chicken wireto a depth of one foot below where the fencemeets the ground (be sure to bend in the

sharp edges). Or place large rocks at thebase of the fence.

Enroll your dog in an obedience classespecially if his behavior is the main reason

you keep your dog outside.

Spay or neuter your dog if you haven'talready done so. A neutered dog is less likelyto roam and more content to stay at home.

These are safe procedures that have manyhealth and behavioral benefits. Ask yourveterinarian for more information.

Remember that behavior problems such asbarking, chewing, and digging are often theresult of a lack of stimulation. By providing

your dog with proper toys, exercise, "peopletime," and positive reinforcement, you mayalter undesirable behaviors and teachacceptable house manners. In addition, adog who is inside the house is much morelikely to deter an intruder than a dogchained in the yard.

Giving Your Dog Proper Shelter

In addition to safe confinement, dogs needadequate shelter from the elements. Dogs keptoutside may be unintentionally exposed to bittercold temperatures in the winter and scorchingheat in the summer. To protect your dog fromharsh weather, provide a well-constructeddoghouse. However, keep in mind that somebreeds with very long or short coats cannot

tolerate extreme outside temperatures evenwhen provided with proper shelter.

To provide your dog with a comfortable

doghouse, consider these suggestions:

The house should be large enough to allowthe dog to stand up and turn around


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comfortably, but small enough to enable thedog to retain body heat.

The house should have a slanted, waterproofroof to allow rainwater to run off.

If the doghouse is made of wood, it shouldbe raised off the ground at least two inchesto prevent the floor from rotting.

The door should be just large enough foryour dog to enter easily.

During the winter months, to protect yourdog from cold wind, the door should becovered by a flexible plastic flapsuch as afloor runner that doesn't have spikes on oneside. A piece of carpet can work in a pinch,but it can get wet and freeze.

Clean, dry bedding such as hay, straw, orcedar shavings should be provided. The

bedding should be changed weekly toprevent mold.

In warmer months, the dog should also beprovided with shade such as a tree or tarp.A doghouse in direct sun becomes an ovenand will not keep a dog cool.

Finally, anytime your dog is kept outside, besure to provide fresh water in a tip-proofbowl or large bucket. Make sure the waterdoesn't freeze during colder months.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is meant by "chaining" or "tethering"dogs?

These terms refer to the practice of fastening a

dog to a stationary object or stake, usually inthe owner's backyard, as a means ofkeeping the animal under control. Theseterms do not refer to the periods when ananimal is walked on a leash.

2. Is there a problem with continuous

chaining or tethering?

Yes, the practice is both inhumane and a threatto the safety of the confined dog, other animalsand humans.

3. Why is tethering dogs inhumane?

Dogs are naturally social beings who thrive oninteraction with human beings and other

animals. A dog kept chained in one spot forhours, days, months or even years suffersimmense psychological damage. An otherwisefriendly and docile dog, when kept continuouslychained, becomes neurotic, unhappy, anxious

and often aggressive.

In many cases, the necks of chained dogsbecome raw and covered with sores, the resultof improperly fitted collars and the dogs'constant yanking and straining to escapeconfinement. Dogs have even been found withcollars embedded in their necks, the result of

years of neglect at the end of a chain. In onecase, a veterinarian had to euthanize a dog

whose collar, an electrical cord, was so

embedded in the animal's neck that it wasdifficult to see the plug.

4. Who says tethering dogs is inhumane?

In addition to The Humane Society of the UnitedStates and numerous animal experts, the U. S.

Department of Agriculture issued a statement inthe July 2, 1996, Federal Registeragainsttethering:

"Our experience in enforcing the Animal WelfareAct has led us to conclude that continuousconfinement of dogs by a tether is inhumane. Atether significantly restricts a dog's movement. Atether can also become tangled around or hooked


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on the dog's shelter structure or other objects, further restricting the dog's movement andpotentially causing injury."

5. How does tethering or chaining dogs posea danger to humans?

Dogs tethered for long periods can becomehighly aggressive. Dogs feel naturally protectiveof their territory; when confronted with aperceived threat, they respond according totheir fight-or-flight instinct. A chained dog,unable to take flight, often feels forced to fight,attacking any unfamiliar animal or person whounwittingly wanders into his or her territory.

Numerous attacks on people by tethered dogs

have been documented. For example, a studypublished in the September 15, 2000, issue ofthe Journal of the American Veterinary MedicalAssociationreported that 17 percent of dogsinvolved in fatal attacks on humans between1979 and 1998 were restrained on their owners'property at the time of the attack. Tragically, thevictims of such attacks are often children whoare unaware of the chained dog's presence untilit is too late. Furthermore, a tethered dog whofinally does get loose from his chains mayremain aggressive, and is likely to chase andattack unsuspecting passersby and pets.

6. Why is tethering dangerous to dogs?

In addition to the psychologicaldamage wrought by continuouschaining, dogs forced to live on achain make easy targets forother animals, humans, and

biting insects. A chained animal may sufferharassment and teasing from insensitivehumans, stinging bites from insects, and, in the

worst cases, attacks by other animals. Chaineddogs are also easy targets for thieves looking to

steal animals for sale to research institutions orto be used as training fodder for organizedanimal fights. Finally, dogs' tethers can becomeentangled with other objects, which can chokeor strangle the dogs to death.

7. Are these dogs dangerous to otheranimals?

In some instances, yes. Any other animal thatcomes into their area of confinement is in

jeopardy. Cats, rabbits, smaller dogs and othersmay enter the area when the tethered dog isasleep and then be fiercely attacked when the

dog awakens.

8. Are tethered dogs otherwise treated well?

Rarely does a chained or tethered dog receivesufficient care. Tethered dogs suffer fromsporadic feedings, overturned water bowls,inadequate veterinary care, and extremetemperatures. During snow storms, these dogsoften have no access to shelter. During periodsof extreme heat, they may not receive adequate

water or protection from the sun. What's more,

because their often neurotic behavior makesthem difficult to approach, chained dogs arerarely given even minimal affection. Tethereddogs may become "part of the scenery" and canbe easily ignored by their owners.

9. Are the areas in which tethered dogs areconfined usually comfortable?

No, because the dogs have to eat, sleep, urinateand defecate in a single confined area. Owners

who chain their dogs are also less likely to cleanthe area. Although there may have once been

grass in an area of confinement, it is usually sobeaten down by the dog's pacing that theground consists of nothing but dirt or mud.

10. But how else can people confine dogs?

The HSUS recommends that all dogs be keptindoors at night, taken on regular walks, andotherwise provided with adequate attention,


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food, water and veterinary care. If an animalmust be housed outside at certain times, heshould be placed in a suitable fence withadequate square footage and shelter from theelements. ChainFree Asheville builds fences for

chained dogs. Call us today at 8287-450-7736.No obligation whatsoever!

11. Should chaining or tethering ever beallowed?

To become well-adjusted companion animals,dogs should interact regularly with people andother animals, and should receive regularexercise. It is an owner's responsibility toproperly restrain her dog, just as it is theowner's responsibility to provide adequate

attention and socialization. Placing an animalon a restraint to get fresh air can be acceptableif it is done for a short period. However, keepingan animal tethered for long periods is neveracceptable.

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

Animals who must be kept on a tether shouldbe secured in such a way that the tether cannotbecome entangled with other objects. Collarsused to attach an animal should be comfortable

and properly fitted; choke chains should neverbe used. Restraints should allow the animal tomove about and lie down comfortably. Animalsshould never be tethered during naturaldisasters such as floods, fires, tornadoes,hurricanes or blizzards.

13. What about attaching a dog's leash to a"pulley run"?

Attaching a dog's leash to a long linesuch as aclothesline or a manufactured device known asa pulley runand letting the animal have alarger area in which to explore is preferable totethering the dog to a stationary object.However, many of the same problems associated

with tethering still apply, including attacks onor by other animals, lack of socialization and

safety.

A chained animal is caught in a vicious cycle;frustrated by long periods of boredom and social

isolation, he becomes a neurotic shell of hisformer selffurther deterring humaninteraction and kindness. In the end, thehelpless dog can only suffer the frustration of

watching the world go by in isolationa cruel

fate for what is by nature a highly social animal.Any city, county, or state that bans this practice

is a safer, more humane community.

Tragic news stories and statistics make theconnection between tethering or chaining anddog attacks clear. And virtually every dog whospends a significant amount of time tethered

will suffer some temperament problems. But why is it that, according to British animalbehaviorist Dr. Roger Mugford, [d]ogs, just likehuman beings who get locked up for no reason,

will get mean and bitter?

The short answer, according torenowned animal behaviorspecialist Shelby Marlo, is thatdogs who are forced to livetheir lives at the end of a chainsuffer from severe

psychological, emotional, and behavioraleffects.

According to Sue Sternberg, an expert in dogaggression, A chained dog is an unsupervised

dog, so without human intervention, thechained dog can, and usually does, rehearseaggressive behavioral sequences over and overagain. Sternberg continues, For the chaineddog, these behavioral sequences get strongerand stronger, and his aggression increases withevery passing day. It is usually only a matter

of time before a mauling occurs.

Chaining Violates Dogs Nature asSocial Pack Animals

Dogs are highly social animals. Inthe wild, dogs ran around witheach other as members of a pack.Over a period of many years, dogs

were gradually domesticated andcame to rely on humans not only

for their care but for companionship as well.Humans becameand still are dogs packmembers. Because domesticated, dogs no
http://www.helpinganimals.com/ga_chained_summaries.asphttp://www.helpinganimals.com/ga_chained_official.asphttp://www.helpinganimals.com/ga_chained_official.asphttp://www.helpinganimals.com/ga_chained_summaries.asp


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longer have packs of other dogs to live with,they need to be members of our families.

According to the Washington Humane Society,Chaining, by definition, keeps a dog in solitaryconfinement, continually thwarting [theanimals] pack instinct to be with other animalsor with [his or her] human pack.

Many experts agree. Karen Delise, authorofFatal Dog Attacks, explains: As packanimals, dogs [who] are chained are socially compromised. This obviously creates a stress-

induced environment for many dogs.

According to well-known veterinarian Dr.Michael Fox, Dogs are pack animals and needfrequent contact with their own kind or withhuman beings. Dr. Fox writes that for dogs

who have spent much of their lives in a back yard, the chances are high that [they] willbecome overexcited when [theyre] with people.Long periods of social deprivation can make agood-tempered dog quite ill-tempered. As aresult, Dogs do bite when they becomeoverexcited. Its as though they dont know whatto do with all their pent-up energies. This mayexplain why some chained dogswho are usedto being aloneattack when they are finallyapproached, even by a familiar face or a familymember.

Animal behaviorist Linda Goodman states,Dogs need to be a part of a social group. Livingalone in the back yard actually constitutes aform of cruelty and abuseisolation from thefamily (pack) is a very severe form ofpunishment. She continues, Chained dogshave to endure an unnaturally lonely life. It islike a sentence of solitary confinement for life.

Chaining Makes Dogs Even MoreTerritorial

Dogs are territorial animals.

A chain or tether limits theanimals space and makesthe boundary of those fewsquare feet of territory much

more distinct.

In her book, Karen Delise writes, Because dogsare territorial animals, chaining them onlyserves to exacerbate space issues, as space islimited and more clearly defined. Delise goes onto explain that chaining increases thelikelihood of a dangerous defensive response toa perceived encroachment on the dogs territory

or possessions (food or water bowls).

As Dr. Michael Fox writes in hisbook Understanding Your Dog, approaching achained dog will invariably result in a show ofaggression or territorial defense by barking andlunging. He explains that a dog kept on such arestricted personal territory may develop aterritorial defense behavior [that is]abnormally intense.

Flight Is Not an Option

Dogs are fight or flight animals. Whenconfronted with a threat, a dogs psychology andphysiology dictates that he will either flee fromthe danger (flight) or confront it (fight).Because tethered dogs have no ability to fleeand escape from danger, they must resort toaggression and attacks.

Karen Delise explains that the natural fight orflight response afforded to most animals in moststressful situations is denied to a chainedanimal. She writes, The dog is cognizant of the

fact that he can only retreat the length of thechain and will often opt to stand his ground.Removing the option of flight for any animal willalways increase the chance of a physical

encounter (or fight response) to a threat.

In addition to having their social needs ignored,many chained dogs are deprived of proper food

and water, shelter, and veterinary care.

Asheville's Ordinance

Section 3-12 (i) -- It shall be unlawful totether a dog unless the tether is no less than15 feet in length, and cannot become tangledor prevent the animal from moving freely orhaving access to food, water or shelter.


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Chained dogslike all animals who are leftoutside and unsupervisedare also susceptibleto the cruel acts of passersby. Chained dogs aretortured, poisoned, shot, stabbed, stolen, usedto bait fighting dogs, sold into the abject

misery of life in a laboratory, set on fire, andabused in countless other ways. Others freeze todeath during cold snaps after being ignored byheartless owners for years.

Did You Know?

Dogs need to be with YOU! They cravecompanionship. They aim to please you andthey really want to spend time with you and liveindoors. Dogs are healthiest and happiestindoors with the rest of the family.

Dogs left outside need sturdy shelter toprotect them from rain, snow, cold, and

wind and to provide shade in the summer. A waterproof house with the floor elevated afew inches off the ground and with a flapover the entrance is best. Houses should besmall enough to allow a dogs body heat to

warm the interior but big enough to allowthe dog to get inside, stand up, turn around,

and lie down.

When the temperature drops below 45degrees, straw (available at feed stores) must

be stuffed inside doghouses in order to keepdogs warm. Blankets, clothing, and towelsonly make conditions worse when they get

wet and freeze.

Dogs need an adequate amount of food everyday. Food should be provided in a dry, cleandish, not tossed on the ground. Remind dogowners to give dogs more food in the winter,

when they need to eat more to keep warm.

Dogs need fresh waterevery day. Water should beplaced in a heavy bucket

or an anchored bowl toprevent it from tipping over(putting the bucket inside a cartire works well). Water helps toprevent heat exhaustion in the

summer. It must be checkedfrequently in the winter to makesure that it hasntfrozendogs will

die of dehydration on even the coldest daywithout water.

Backyard dogs should be checked frequentlyfor fleas, mites, and worms, which rob them

of the nutrition that they need and canmake even a dog who constantly eats thin.

Please dont forget to give the dog someattention and playtime too. A happy dog hastoys, goes for walks, and spends time withpeople.

Asheville's Ordinance

Section 3-12 (i) -- It shall be unlawful totether a dog unless the tether is no less than15 feet in length, and cannot become tangled

or prevent the animal from moving freely orhaving access to food, water or shelter.

Can ChainFree Asheville Help You?

ChainFree Asheville builds free fences forpeople with chained dogs. We also providefree doghouses and spay/neutering for dogsthrough the generous donations of ourpatrons.

Our fences are made of strong welded wire with wooden posts in cement and t-barsevery 8 feet. We generally use one side ofthe house for one leg of the fence and thenbuild 3 sides with the welded wire. Thegates are chain link.

There is absolutely no charge to you forany of this!

We have one requirement: Your dog must

be spay-neutered if he/she is not already.Call us to measure your yard today!

Prepared by ChainFree Asheville

828-450-7736.

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Back Yard Dog Tips