Dogs who are chained run a much higher risk of biting and are more likely to be the dogs that run off and don't come back when called.
Why? Chaining a dog goes against its natural instincts. Dogs were not meant to be chained. Most become protective of the area around them and in some cases, down right mean, even to their owners. They feel confined, trapped and it drives them crazy. They are harder to train and some appear to be literally untrainable when really they are just going stir crazy. Most chained dogs will take off on you any chance they can get off the chain. And why not? Coming back means they have to go back on the chain and they want to enjoy the freedom if even for a little while. Not all dogs will be biters and runners if chained, but all dogs would be happier, with a better temperament, if they were not chained.
I am not talking about the occasional time when you need to tie your dog up for a little while.
I am talking about the Back Yard Dogs. The ones with the dog house and a chain. The ones that spend the majority of their time and life chained, sitting and waiting, with nothing else to do but wait and protect.
Other options: Invisible fences are great. You can not see them and the dog has some freedom to walk without dragging a chain behind them. They are relatively cheap compared to the above ground fence. A regular fence is another option. The bigger the area your dog has the happier he will be and in return, the happier you will be with your dog. Training. Take your dog to obedience classes or teach him yourself. Teach him to stay around the house. An outside kennel would be better than being chained, if the owners take the dog out every day to run free or for a walk and play. But in the end, it all depends on how much time you spend with your dog. If you do not have time to spend with your dog you probably should not have one.
Why? Chaining a dog goes against its natural instincts. Dogs were not meant to be chained. Most become protective of the area around them and in some cases, down right mean, even to their owners. They feel confined, trapped and it drives them crazy. They are harder to train and some appear to be literally untrainable when really they are just going stir crazy. Most chained dogs will take off on you any chance they can get off the chain. And why not? Coming back means they have to go back on the chain and they want to enjoy the freedom if even for a little while. Not all dogs will be biters and runners if chained, but all dogs would be happier, with a better temperament, if they were not chained.
I am not talking about the occasional time when you need to tie your dog up for a little while.
I am talking about the Back Yard Dogs. The ones with the dog house and a chain. The ones that spend the majority of their time and life chained, sitting and waiting, with nothing else to do but wait and protect.
Other options: Invisible fences are great. You can not see them and the dog has some freedom to walk without dragging a chain behind them. They are relatively cheap compared to the above ground fence. A regular fence is another option. The bigger the area your dog has the happier he will be and in return, the happier you will be with your dog. Training. Take your dog to obedience classes or teach him yourself. Teach him to stay around the house. An outside kennel would be better than being chained, if the owners take the dog out every day to run free or for a walk and play. But in the end, it all depends on how much time you spend with your dog. If you do not have time to spend with your dog you probably should not have one.
