Fencing vs. tie out for a dog

My parents have a dog that is chained all the time (well, on a run with that aircraft type steel cable). He came from a shelter, so we knew that putting him in some sort of chain-link fenced area would not be good for him. He's got a spot behind their house, next to the shed, with his dog house, and an area about 20'x40' that he can get to. They live in the country, so there isn't really any risk where he is that people could get to him and tease him (you can't even see him from the road). He can't be let loose (he takes off every time, and he's a pretty big dog, very intimidating, and not real friendly to other animals sometimes, so it's too big of a risk). He does come up on their porch every day during the summer, and if it's really cold he gets to sleep in the basement (he gets too hot upstairs with the woodstove). For him, it's a good setup and he's very happy.

Now, I have a German Shepherd that is never tied. And I mean never. She's rarely on a leash (only when there are lots of people around, or traffic). She's completely voice controlled. She doesn't go outside without us. We don't have a fenced yard, and live on a very busy road, but know that she will respond if we call her (she's chased neighborhood dogs and cats right to the very edge of our property, but will not leave the yard if we're out there, even to visit the neighbors!) For her, being tied OR fenced would be hard on her. She likes her freedom, but knows her limits.

So, basically, I think it really depends on the dog. Some dogs take well to being tied, others take well to being fenced, some take well to neither.

redneckpete.

What kind of dog do you have?
That would make a great deal of difference.

My 135 pound golden retriever is the one that learned he can run through the fence and keep going . Shake his head a little , but otherwise unaffected.

my two pitbulls soon followed him ,although they squeeled some as they went through.
sounded like something bite them on the tail. But they soon started going on thier own without the big dog leading.

My boxer would stand at the fence and whine. Not having the gonads to follow suit.

Till he saw they were after something too good to not take part then he's squeel like a stuck pig and follow along.


I had some good laughs watching them for the two months or so I tried the invisiable fence on my bunch. But it didn't work for my bunch.

I gave it to my daughter. It works well with her two Irish Setters.
She usually comes here, but occasionally babysits one of my dogs.
She and I both agreed to not have the system on when my dogs were there.
Because we are both afraid my dogs would teach her dogs to go through it too.

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WVPEACH (paula)

German Shepherds