tether or pen what do u think

(1) Dogs on tethers get more and better exercise. A 6-foot tether offers a
dog about 113 square feet of living space; a 7-foot tether offers 154 square
feet. Contrast this to a 5 x 20-foot run offering 100 square feet, or if two
dogs are in it, only 50 square feet per dog. More importantly, dogs on a
tether can move (run) continuously forever, albeit in a circle. Dogs in a run are
limited to the length of the run, usually not long enough to even allow the
dog to break into a lope. The end result of a tethered dog is a dog where the
body is physically developed uniformly; muscles in both the front and rear
get exercised. A dog in a run develops strong rear leg jumping muscles from
jumping against the fence at the ends of the run, and his front end essentially
withers away from lack of use.

(2) Dogs on tethers get more and better people socialization. People are
more likely to move among and touch dogs in a tethered set-up simply because it
is easy to do. They can easily move in and out of each dog's area, smother
some dogs with attention, and make just a peripheral contact with others. People
are discouraged from entering runs with free dogs because gates have to be
manipulated and special attention has to be paid to keep dogs from escaping,
and this has to be done repeatedly with every dog or two. Thus, a kenneled
dog's extra human contact often just consists of a lot of finger tips sticking
through chain link squares, compared to the tethered dogs getting a complete
person.

(3) Kennel clean-up is easier when gates and escaping dogs aren't present.

(4) Dogs socialize better with each other and their environment in general
when there are not partitions (fences) between them.

(5) Dogs get better rest when they learn that no other dog can get into
their space. In a run with a companion, or even without a companion but with a
dog in an adjacent run, a dog instinctually never lets the thought of the other
dog out of his brain. In a tethered set-up dogs seem to quickly recognize
that no other dog can get into their circle and that there they are totally
safe. Furthermore, dogs learn over a period of time to respect their companions'
areas. When dogs are released to the exercise area, they are quite careful
about moving only between or on the fringe of the remaining dogs' areas.
Should a dog accidentally get loose, immediately everyone else roars their
disapproval, so all dogs, sleeping or otherwise, are forewarned of a possible
intruder which increases their feelings of security over time.

(6) Dogs on a tether develop dexterity and agility regarding moving around a
line. This is very helpful for sled dogs, whose work involves just such
abilities.

Although a tethering kennel set-up is good in itself, I strongly believe
that it should be accompanied with a regular free running exercise routine.
Compatible groups of dogs should be turned loose at least once a day to run free
in a pen of enough size to allow the dogs to really stretch out at a full
gallop without fear of crashing into a fence. I recommend at least 1 acre, and a
release time of anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Of course, free
exercise can be reduced or even eliminated on days when a dog is worked. It is
interesting that tethered dogs released to exercise, really do exercise. Kenneled
dogs so-released often tend to not do much running, but just lay-around like
they are still in a run.

The tethered kennel set-up that I have described here has a lot in common
with the life of a predator in the wild, presumably the basis for a dog's basic
instincts. First, there is the stalking, then the wild chase and kill,
followed by food gorging. Finally, there is a long (20 hours) rest. Then the
process is repeated. Liken this to the tethered set-up with a daily free exercise
period. Dean Ayers Animals C.L.U.B.- Freedom is for the 'Tethering' of Dogs

 

Now I'm all for proper tethering and think these laws against it are bullshit, but there's some, if not many parts of this article I think are just as much bullshit. This article is nothing more than an opinion and nothing factual.

 

Since you asked "what do you think" without question I prefer to chain my dogs. I realize some people for whatever legal restriction may not be able to,and like Boogieman stated IMHO those laws are BS laws and an infringement on our personal property.I usually put my dogs on a 12 foot chain.( a few get slightly shorter depending on where their shade tree is from the axle) Since this all is just a matter of individual opinion,I disagree to a point with #2,a good owner is going to spend time with the dog wether on a chain or kennel.If they're to lazy to open a gate,they're to lazy to own a dog. Regarding #4,I don't want APBTs to socialize with dogs.I do agree however a fence between two dogs can be bad,I've had little boston terriers even,tear their mouths to pieces fighting through a fence.As far as #6 goes,maybe with another breed possibly,I can't condone groups of APBTs doing anything together. If I ever get to where I have to kennel the dogs,I'll just send them to a friend.

 

not all people know how to tether a dog up. how much the chain should weigh, housing and overall security of the system. thats why there is so much fuss about it. they leave there dogs in the mud, or no house out on the system, or a heavy ass chain too big for the dog. they mess it up. the writing i think is not factual at all either. people can still leave a dog on the tie-out and still not pay it any attention as if it were in a kennel. i dont think that a chain will build the dog up as much as people think IMO. what builds the dog up is getting him off of it to exercise. The key reason why people do tether is because its cheaper than anything else . the only thing i can agree on is the move around on the tie-out system vs kennels, but people always fuck it up visually and stir shit up with the neighbors. for that reason alone if you live in the city i wouldn't recommend tethering unless you have a privacy fence, so a kennel would be best out there, but to each there own. im for tethering, but there is always a right and a wrong way to do it

 

all that info was also written for Huskies not that it matters, but not all pertains to our dogs.

 

While not all people know how to properly chain a dog,it's pretty simple to find out if they really want to.If a person wants to be a good dog owner they need to be willing to put some thought and effort into it. Lazy owners will neglect the dog regardless of chaining or a kennel,I agree with that.But those people are screw ups, regardless which they do. As far as the visual aspect,it's best to be out of view anyway.The people who are die hard anti-tethering people are impossible to please anyway.I don't worry about their opinion,because you just can't please him. There is definately a right way and a wrong way to do everything,to many people use the little Wal mart stakes and tiny chains for the tethering,and to many use little chain link light duty pens for the kennels.But as I said,those people are just going to screw up everything they do anyway.

 

yeah, i agree with you 100%.

 

when tethering a dog i like to do it near trees for shade . Especially if kennel is not wood and plastic it gets hot in it