Alternatives to Chaining or Tethering
Bringing the Dog Inside the Home
Chain Free Austin encourages citizens to bring dogs inside the home whenever possible. A dog that spends much of its time with the family is much more likely to get adequate attention, care, and socialization. Of course, all dogs need bathroom breaks and exercise time, so it is important that a family member, friend, or neighbor is able to take the dog out at designated times during the day. The dog may be taken out and exercised on a leash, as many apartment dwellers currently do. Or, if an adequate outdoor enclosure is available, the dog could be let out within the enclosure for exercise.
Click on this link to read some success stories of formerly chained dogs who were rehabilitated and incorporated into family life: Success Stories at DogsDeserveBetter.org
Providing a Fenced Enclosure
In some circumstances, it may not be possible to bring a formerly chained dog inside the home. In these cases, the family might choose to keep the dog in a secure and humane fenced enclosure.
A fenced enclosure should provide adequate space for roaming and exercise, and should allow additional room for the dog’s shelter, water bowl, and feeding dish. The enclosure area should be dry and kept clear of fecal matter. Shade should also be accessible, especially from the afternoon heat. The shelter should provide protection from precipitation and other weather elements.
Please visit our Fence Building page to read more about the fenced enclosure.
No matter where the dog is kept, the living space should be safe, clean, healthy, spacious, and humane. And since all dogs are social animals...all will need lots of love and attention, whether they live inside, outside, or both!
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"Our experience in enforcing the Animal Welfare Act has led us to conclude that continuous confinement of dogs by a tether is inhumane. A tether significantly restricts a dog's movement. A tether can also become tangled around or hooked on the dog's shelter structure or other objects, further restricting the dog's movement and potentially causing injury." - United States Department of Agriculture. |