"or even worse chaining them up". would people PLEASE stop making others feel like scum for tying their dogs up??? I am soo SICK of this attitude. If YOU dont like tying, then DONT tie.
If the dog is in a safe place, has good shelter, access to shade/water in summer, good length of chain, and not left in a mud puddle or something, what is the issue?? Not everyone can have their dog in the house at ALL times. Geesh. Same thing with kennels. I think people have seen horror stories with owners tying their dogs up on 3 foot chains to a pole with no access to water, etc. Those are just that. Horror stories with idiots who should not own a stuffed dog, much less a live one. That is the fault of the PEOPLE in situations like that, NOT chaining.
Listen, use what ever works for you on containing your dog. The main things to me are, is the dog safe? Is the dog secure and wont get loose etc? Does the dog have shelter if it rains? Does the dog have shade if it is hot and sunny? Is the footing the dog on okay? (meaning, no mud, etc) Is the space the dog has to move around in okay? And people, what do you think your dog does all day when you arent home? You think they do jumping jacks and jog around? No, they lay around, maybe chew a toy, sleep, get up, stretch, maybe walk around a bit, lay around some more, sleep, chew a toy, scratch, etc. I mean, i watch my dogs when I "am' home, and thats all they do when im not playing with them. What do you think they do when im not there??? So, why is it such a big deal if they are sleeping and chewing on your couch.. or in a kennel, or tied up, as long as they are safe and secure and comfy??
In my life time, i have kept dogs all three ways. Kenneled, tied, and in the house. And i have seen other people who have done all three things..or done just one..etc. You know what I found?
As long as the things i talked about were being met ( dog is secure/access to water/shelter/decent amount of room/etc..etc...)
the main thing was the TIME you made for your dog, and what you did with your dog. When i lived at home as a kid, we kept our dogs tied. Parents worked, i was in school. But, I swear i had the smartest, most active dogs on the street. You know why? I would make the time for them. After I did homework, i would take them out and be gone for HOURS. To parks, walks, etc. I was lucky I had two dog crazy older friends that lived near by. We would go out to fields and train our dogs, run them, go hiking through woods, etc. I joined training classes, etc. My parents had to go looking for me at times i was out with those dogs.
But yet, i would see dogs that were in the house. Oh yes, they were house dogs. But, they didnt get to do HALF the things my dogs did. Why? The owners just didnt take the time.
Now, dont say im the exception. No, im not. See folks should know better than that. The horror stories are what makes me the news. Or, your neighbor down the street who maybe ties his dog to a pole and leaves him out in the rain is easy for you to see. BUT..dont assume all people who tie their dogs or kennel their dogs, do nothing but leave them tied and kenneled all day in the rain/snow/sun with no water, and never do anything with them other than throw them food once in a while. THAT IS NOT TRUE, AND IT'S INSULTING AS ****!
I guess my point is this. Just like training, we ALL can have differences of opinion on how to house our dogs. In training, some say use only positive methods. Some say use compulsion. some say use a mixture of both. Some say use a clicker. Some say clickers are stupid. Some say pinch collars are cruel. Others say use them. some say Ecollars are cruel. Others say use them.
Thing is, all these methods can be good at certain times and for certain situations, and have their place depending on YOUR situation and YOUR dog. And to put people down because they use one of them, to me is wrong.
Just like how you house your dog. Now, for me, inside and outside works for me. I have kennels, and my dogs spend time both in my home, and kennels, kennel when im not home. Im not a flaming idiot, so yes my yard is fenced, locked, and fairly secure against other animals and thieves. So are my kennels, which are not on bare ground, and are covered and locked. So, a combination of in the house, and kenneling works just fine for ME..for ME..thank you very much. So, i dont need anyone telling me what a bad owner i am because i do this. Not saying anyone is, im just making a point.
If it works for you and your dogs, be it having them in the house tied/kenneled/part time house, etc...that's all that matters.
Sorry to rant on, but that just fries my butt a bit because i've actually seen people ripped apart for tying, and now they have some laws trying to get passsed in places where you cant tie your dog over a certain amount of time. People, I KNOW there have been folks who have done stupid things in regards to chaining. ****, there have been people who do stupid things in regards to EVERY aspect of dogs, are you kidding me? But, you let stuff like this go..where does it end?? Soon , they are going to tell you you cant kennel either.
Dogs are our friends, companions, etc. We love them like family. But, they are NOT human, and dont need totally human type living conditions. Im surprised with all this human intervention and coddling and foo foo-ing off dogs in terms of everything from housing, breeding,, etc..etc..etc..etc... that dogs arent a shell of what they used to be.
Oh but wait, they are.
