The Trouble With Tie-Outs..

[areias]

Aww. I'm sure a harness would help a lot, just make sure he can't slip out of it.

My aunt owns my shepherds brother, he has a 50 foot tie out (on one of those trolley lines) across their yard. I watched him one time..he got tangled around a tree and himself. He stopped, looked at himself, stepped out of the line, studied the tree, and walked around until he was completely tangle free.

That's one smart dog.

[grybai]

I also don't have a yard but tie-outs are strictly forbidden in my city. Not that I would use it with Payson because I'm scared he would hurt himself (especially with his penchant for tangling himself in even 6 ft leashes). Unfortunately, Payson abhors going for walks around my neighborhood so I have to find creative means to give him exercised, including obstacle courses around the house and over the sofa, or else drive him to a different location.

By the way, have you ever considered an invisible fence?

[Jessika]

Yes, but invisible fences cost lots of money (money which I DO NOT have) and we're probably moving by December, anyway This isn't really our "house", we're renting a... well I don't want to call it an apartment, but its not even a house. I don't know WHAT to call it. But its not our property, we rent from our landlord. And we're probably going to move to a house with my fiancée's co-worker (huuuuuge house, 5br etc) and pay him rent or get an apartment.

[Jessika]

bump

[.sarah]

Yes, but invisible fences cost lots of money (money which I DO NOT have) and we're probably moving by December, anyway This isn't really our "house", we're renting a... well I don't want to call it an apartment, but its not even a house. I don't know WHAT to call it. But its not our property, we rent from our landlord. And we're probably going to move to a house with my fiancée's co-worker (huuuuuge house, 5br etc) and pay him rent or get an apartment.

Aww yay for a new house! That sounds huuuge, how big is the yard?

[king2005]

I never had problems with tie-outs (for camping only). I swear that dog had to be part human. He would study his area & avoid objects that he could get tangled in. If he got tangled he would study the object & always worked his way out..

At home he wasn't tied or fenced in.. he stayed in our yard & the neighbours yard.. They had a dog, so he was allowed over there & claimed it as his own. The landlord of the house could have caredless & when they moved away, new people moved in & they were told that a large black dog owned the yard (he was harmless) & to not shoo him away or feed him..

So that yard made our yard HUGE!! hehehe

[Kristenthemusher]

I'm not crazy about invisible fences. Dogs can learn to hear the beep, there's a moments pain, and then they're free!

For tangling, try using a 6' chain (they don't tighten up as bad when the dog is tangled), and put it on a tall post. I'd say 3' minimum if you're in a low snow area. This helps keep the chain off of the ground, and makes it harder for the dog to get tangled .

[Jessika]

Hey thanks Sarah -- I have no clue how big the yard is or if its even fenced (I doubt it is though, he has a dog but its just a little Pom or something similar) but I know that there is a yard and its bigger than the one we have now. The driveway alone is bigger than this house we're in now LOL

And thanks Kristen for the tips! Are you from dogster by any chance??

[Kristenthemusher]

Dogster and Dog Discussion .

[Jessika]

I knew it! Well, welcome here and enjoy!

[wolfie]

Heehee, silly Charlie.

Daphne does that too. She has a 75 ft (I think) trolly tie-out, and she usually ends up stuck around the tree at one end. We have a huge yard, but Daphne figured out how to get through the invisible fence, and my parents won't put up a real fence, because they say fences are too "ugly". *sigh*