[duckdude4]

I have a dog that is full of energy ALL the time. And I have nieghbor boys that want to play baseball, football, basketball, ALL the time. With those two situations , I now have ran into an issue with the dog has figured out that he can jump out of the backyard. (have to love living in the city). My question is, what do you guys think about tying a dog up on a long rope. Will this hurt his drive. ie will he get the mind set that, oh i am on this line so there is not need for me to chase it. Or will it teach him to respect his boundaries. I plan on only putting him on the rope when I am not able to be in the yard, and we will continue to train on a regular basis. 4-5 times/week. Just curious I have mixed feelings about it. Just wondering what you guys think.

 

[Guest]

ropes and runners are generally not a good idea. first for safety. second for not providing a clear boundary, mentally, to the dog (creates anxiety). third, can actually "teach" pulling on the lead... fourth, can also teach aggression through the anxiety it creates.

My two options, were it my dog, would be...

First and best, and what I think "most" retriever folks do... Pour a concrete pad and put up a 10x10 (or whatever size) kennel that's 6' high or that's covered if need be. That's where he should be if you're not out there. Dog running loose in fenced yard for extended periods of time can create territorialism...

Two would be to somehow electrify the fence -- but since you're in the city, I'm guessing maybe the neighbor kids might zap themselves?

Third, and this is the ONLY time I recommend it, would be invisible fence IN CONJUNCTION with CURRENT fence. So dog can SEE the tangible fence boudary and learn to stay away from it. (the IF would be correcting the dog off the real fence). I actually would put this above #2... mainly for safety of neighborfolks.

-K

 

[achiro]

Get a crate and put the dog in it when you are not around. Letting a dog free range all the time does nothing but allow the dog to get himself into trouble. Putting a dog on a rope when you are not around does nothing but put the dog in a dangerous situation. If you care at all for your dog, don't be a dumbass, get a crate.

 

[jimandkristine]

I also live in the city for now. I had a jumper. Fixed that with a electric fence. Dont need to keep it on all the time after your dog learns it hurts to try and jump.
Just post warning signs so kids wont touch your fence.
Although cats can read....its awful funny to watch a cats reaction to that hot line! LOL

 

[Miriam Wade]

I would never tie out a dog. Far too many things that can go wrong & endanger the dog. I also don't like the electric fence or invisible fencing. If a dog figures out that invisible fencing means a quick zap, but after that he's free to go-some dogs will happily work around that. Invisible fencing also allows other dogs into your yard.

I'd build a kennel. Your dog will be safe & secure & you won't have to worry when you're not home.

M

 

[Guest]

I would never tie out a dog. Far too many things that can go wrong & endanger the dog. I also don't like the electric fence or invisible fencing. If a dog figures out that invisible fencing means a quick zap, but after that he's free to go-some dogs will happily work around that. Invisible fencing also allows other dogs into your yard.
(snip)M

He already has a literal fence... Which is why it can be kind of OK to use IF in this instance. It will work similar to electrifying the fence by causing the dog to be corrected off the physical boundary of the fence.

 

[ducksoup]

Build a proper dog run -- or kennel

 

[louisianadukdog]

Build a Kennel!!! Not that expensive!! Anything else and you are asking for trouble or harm for your dog. Build a Kennel!!!

Build a Kennel!!

 

[larrynogaj]

rope

JMO but I'm not a fan of ropes when a dog is unsupervised. There's just too many crazy things that can happen. None of them good.

 

[MRGD]

You could build a kennel like most are saying; that would be the most simple. You could of course build a privacy fence. That would keep your pesky neighbor kids from seeing you mow the yard in your Speedo.

 

[goosecaller]

kennel! :lol:

 

[Last Frontier Labs]

The reason so many folks are anti-rope/chain is that dogs chained or roped in the yard have been known to hang themselves and die.
A kennel run doesn't cost much money. Neither would an electric fence.
I have used both.

 

[MRGD]

As a kid we kept dogs on chains at different times. Some stayed a lot if they were in the habit of running off. Mom and Dad's philosophy was to keep them safe by keeping them on the chain. They were always long chains so they had lots of room to move around. We never had a dog injured, BUT we had only muts growing up. I am confident that there is some unwritten rule that muts understand chains and purebred future champions don't. Put a pedigreed dog on a long chain and he will have a leg hung up in it or get choked, for sure. Put him on a rope and he'll chew through it and jump the fence anyway. Good luck

 

[RailRoadRetrievers]

A buddy with pointers put one of his dogs on a chain tied to a concrete block to keep his female in the yard. She drug the block to the fence, hopped the fence and young herself. Now he don't have a well bred pointer no more.

If you care at all for your dog, don't be a dumbass, get a crate.

Get a crate!!!

 

[2tall]

Living in a restricted community that does not allow kennels or fences in the yard, we have managed a very workable solution using invisible fence. First and foremost, you need to understand its limitations. It does nothing to protect your dog from strays, dogs or people :roll: We have had both wander through randomly, and thank goodness my dog is friendly and NOT teritorial. Second, it is vital that you take the time to train the dog to the fence so he does not consider it an option to endure the pain to enjoy the gain. As a matter of fact it has worked really well that when he walks nicely at my side, we can "cross the line" together and he will be "safe" as long as he is with me. (He never made the connection between the fence collar and the sting). Third, never ever use the invisible fence as a baby sitter for the dog. Our dog gets plenty of exercise in training each day, twice a day and stays in the house when we are gone. Until about 9 months he stayed in his crate, but now he is fine with the run of the house.
But the IF is great for airing, brief outings in nasty weather, to go play with the cat, neighbor kids, etc. He can hang there while we are doing yard, car or boat work.
Ropes and stakes are for training puposes only! Supervised "time out" when pup gets over boisterous at the line.
FWIW, it works for me

 

[Terry Thomas]

Build a kennel. It will be cheaper than the Vet expense you'll have with a rope or the loss of your dog.

 

[duckdude4]

Kennel

I have appreciated all of the feed back. I had to use a chain for a quick fix. Someone is always at the house or checking on him when he is on the chain, and he is usually only on there for 30 minutes to a hour, then inside, HOwever, I purchased a kennel and hope to have it up within a week. Thanks