I am just curious if anyone if anyone still puts their dogs out on a chain, and if it is legal. I know where I live, it is illegal to keep dogs outside on a chain.

I'd never do that. People around here do it all of the time, so I'm guessing it is still legal, or else they just dont enforce it. I feel so bad for the dogs that I see that look like that's basically all they do is lay by their pen on a chain. It's heartbreaking.

They really don't have a law against chains in this area, as I have seen some people still using them. I feel that a better alternative, is using the "Wire Cable" system, so the dogs will have more freedom, and less of a chance to get tangled up. You just need to make sure, that the cable is strong enough to hold your dog, or you will be chasing them down the road......

No...I would never use a chain. That seems too harsh for my own taste.

I could never use a chain as well. Could you see a Dachshund on a chain?

I think that a chain is just cruel. I am always worried that my dog might have to run from something, and they won't be able to get away. That, and I hate people who get a dog, and then just make it live outside on a chain. I live the idea of either using a real fence or an electric fence, although my little dogs couldn't wear the heavy collar. As far as legality goes, I think it is just illegal to not provide them with water and shelter in hot or cold weather.

No I don't use a chain but some of the people that lives around me uses a chain.

No I don't use a chain as I think they should be supervised as much as possible. Rather than chain them outside spend quality time with them. Take them for a walk which must be more beneficial to them.

I don't know if chaining a dog is illegal here. I know a couple of dogs who gets chained outside their house. The dogs are both shih tzus. They are both adorable and I don't know why their owners chain them. I will never chain my dogs! Everyday, my dog and I visit the shih tzus.

I think that using chain on your dog is a bit harsh. Think about how would your dog feel. Maybe using chain will make them more agressive.I've seen the effect of chains on dog. I've heard that in some countries it's perfectly okay to use chains.

Nope , not in to chaining dogs but plenty of people are which I think is a disgrace in this day and age.

[Dakota]

Yikes!! I can see that a lot of you are against/don't agree with using chains. I can assure you though, there is a difference in just chaining an chaining responsibly.
I have 8 dogs, 5 of which are on chains. The chains are 6ft long connected to a wooden post with a swivel so they can go 360 degrees around the post. The dogs are spaced far enough apart so they can't tangle but close enough so they can play/interact with their neighbors. They each have their own dog house/water bucket/food bowl. This whole yard is fenced in to keep the dogs in and wild animals/small children/strays out. I feed, water, and scoop poop 2x daily everyday. I also play with the dogs, and let them free run around in the yard on the days that i don't hook them up to my sled or bike and run them.
My dogs are on chains because they are sled dogs. They prefer to be outside rather than inside. Some of you might think these things:
Why don't you just kennel them??
When i think about kennels they would really be more of a hassel than a benefit for the dogs. In the winter, which happens 6 months out of the year here, I would have 8 doors to dig out of the ice and snow. If I can't get to the dogs to feed, water, clean up after them, or in an emergency then what good are they?? I am at a much better peace of mind knowing that if there is an emergency, that I can get to the dogs quickly with the set up that i have. Also with the set up that i have the dogs actually have MORE room on their chain than they would in a standard size kennel.
Why don't you just keep them in the house?
haha Well you try keeping 8 dogs, not to mention 5 sled dogs in the house and tell me how it works. I can assure you that it wouldn't. My dogs would all rather be outside rather than inside. I am not going to force them to live in the house when they don't want to. Two of my dogs kill cats as well so that wouldn't work as I have 2 cats in the house.
Why don't you just put them all in the big pen, loose??
When you have 8 dogs, chances are they are not all going to get along. Three of my dogs absolutely do not get along when I am not out there supervising them. If they were all loose in the pen, they would fight and possibly get hurt. Having them on chains, if I have to leave the house for a while, I know that nobody is going to argue with each other or get hurt.
Also, sled dogs are escape artists. If I didn't have them on chains they would be up and over the fence in no time, wandering around on the high-way and through the woods. This of course is not safe.
So what I am trying to say is dogs who are on chains and have the proper care, love attention exercise then they can live long, happy, well rounded lives. I know a LOT more sled dogs who are well exercised and loved than pet dogs.
Of course there are going to be the people who put their dog on a chain and leave it there but that does not mean that all people who chain their dogs are abusing/neglecting them. Just like with pet owners, some pet owners abuse/neglect their dogs but that doesn't mean all pet owners do the same thing right?
So I say again, there is a difference in chaining and chaining responsibly.
I hope I have explained myself in a understandable way and not sounded rude or anything. I am open to any questions on why I do what I do!! I will answer them to the best of my ability!!

[The13thBlackCat]

Dakota,
I completely agree with you. Chains, when used properly, can be safe and helpful. My Aunt and Uncle used to have a team of sled dogs each, plus alternates... 14 dogs. And like you they had a wonderful set up outside, in a well kept, well sheltered, fenced area so that each dog had it's own space, away from those they did not get along with, and close to those that they did. I have never seen a happier bunch of dogs (save my two, but I may be partial )
Also, my bosses dogs are chained at night. They are both working ranch dogs and have the urge to work livestock 24/7. To train them not to chase livestock unless told could potentially ruin them. Consequently, if they are not chained up, and no one is there no watch them, they chase the animals. Case in point, two days ago, one of them was out at dusk decided to chase one of the riding horses. Poor thing was kicked in the face by a steel horseshoe and cut almost all they way to her eye. She is ok, but had she been chained, this would ave never happened.
The same two also have the tendancy to be very protective when it comes to cayotes. If they weren't chained, they would be out fighting with cayotes and possibly getting hurt. Fencing them in would require a rediculously high fence and one of them has the habit of digging under fences.
I personally don't use chains as my new puppy is kennal trained and my husbands cattle dog is house broke near to the point of bomb proof. But if there was a reason for her not to be inside, she too would have to be chained because she (like my bosses dogs) would be working anything thats not another dog and has four legs. If she were to chase something that she wasn't told to, not only might she get hurt, but my husband and I may be out of a job.
These days to many idiots use chains and they get a bad name because of it. Not everyone uses them cruelly, and used properly a chain can be a perfectly exceptable way to keep a dog safe and near home.

[Lunareclipse]

This post is 5 years old, but I'm not again using chains. If I didn't, my dogs would be running the neighborhood. I only use them if I'm out in the yard and I'm busy and can't keep an eye on everyone. Buster and Porter need chains because they can chew through everything else.

[Dakota]

Lunareclipes: I know that this was an old post but I just wanted to share my views on the subject. I just joined back in late November so I am still new here.

T13thBC: Thats so cool that your aunt and uncle had sled dogs!!

[fairydogmother]

Like Luna I also have a dog who is a "Chewmanator" and before we completely fenced in our entire back yard I would have to use a tie out cable when I let her out to potty or else she would climb over the fence llike a barking cat. It is not such a big problem now because she has a bigger yard to run and play in now and doesnt' feel the need to break out as often.

[PersistantPuppy]

No, i would never use a chain. Its pointless.....why get a dog then chain it up all day? Especially little dogs

[reeskujo]

I have no problem with chains...My issue is with people who chain them 24/7...It's cruel,can make dogs aggressive not to mention it's illegal in most states...In Ill and MO dogs can only be tied out for 2hrs at a time!

[xtopdawg386x]

Well i have 16 APBT and i do put them on chains . How ever the only time there on the chain is when i pull them out of there pin's to clean them . The reason i dont use the cable's i have had several of them snap from the dogs trying to get loose . Generally the dogs spend aprox . 1 -2 hours on the chains while I clean the pins .Unless it is day time then i allow them to run free while i clean the pins but most of the time it's about dark or dark when i get time to clean them just makes it easier to chain them instead of having to round them up when im done cleaning .

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by PersistantPuppy

No, i would never use a chain. Its pointless.....why get a dog then chain it up all day? Especially little dogs

Well it isn't pointless when you leave your dogs in your house and they tear it up and chew things and try to eat your cats. haha If I had my dogs in the house I would be fixing and repairing things every week. I would probably have to get new furniture every month as well. They just have to much energy and they just plain don't like to be inside. They are chained 24/7 but I spend a lot of my day with them. I knew I was going to have to make that sacrafice when I decided to chain them. Its not really a sacrafice for me though as I love to be outside.
People can do the same thing with a pen too; leave the dog out in it 24/7 with no attention. Heck, dogs are even neglected in their own house! It doesn't really matter what the tool is, it matters how you use it.
However, I don't agree with people just going out to get a dog then bringing it home and chaining it up 24/7 with out any attention or exercise. Thats just plain silly and there is no point to that.
Now I can't imagine a small dog on a chain. I am having this picture in my head of a Chihuahua on a chain. Do they even make chains small enough for a Chihuahua??