"If we can't have the dogs chained to the tree, what's the point of having them?"

Sorry forgot! For those who think this law was passed because a bunch of people were concerned about the "mental abuse" of dogs or agreed with you that having a dog live outside 27/7 is cruel - I have my money on the fact that it was saddly more a noise issue.

[][] Jean, are you serious?  Are you telling us that there really are people who have yet to figure out that Alaska is a state??

Joyce

ORIGINAL: ron2

I think that saying started in the Paleolithic Era.

 
I'll ask my dad, he'd know.  [sm=biggrin.gif]

Has anyone happened to noticed that this topic is well off its rocker? []

I decided to catch up after a few days and yes, it's off its rocker in some respects.  []

However, I think that denise_m had a good point on reading all these points of view.  Those that think of their dog on the level of their children, do not believe leaving them outside 24/7 alone is a good thing.  Those people that think of their dog as a piece of property or rather, definitely below the level of children, have no qualms about leaving them outside 24/7.

The point that I would like to make is that dogs, cats, horses, ducks, etc are living creatures that deserve respect and humane treatment.  Horses would not fit in a house very well, certainly not my house, too small!  But they receive a sheltered barn, hay, water, grazing land.  Those are requirements for horses and most people that know and love their horse, keep their horse with other horses because they too are herd animals.  They feel safest in a herd of some kind.  I don't know that many people that have only a horse and no other animals around for companionship.  I'm sure there are some out there but I don't know any.

Some people do keep ducks inside.  I don't have ducks, never will but I would imagine they'd be happier outside where they could use their wings and swim in a pond. 

I could go on but yes, all animals and their habits/instincts should be taken into consideration when housing/providing for them.  We are their caretakers and as such should provide the best we can give them.  If we can't, then maybe we shouldn't have them to begin with.

vraiment means something along the lines of "right?"  As in, "this is a fork, right?"   "C'est une forchette, vraiment?"  I think it's more formal though... I may be completely off base too but I think that's it.    (fork is the only utensil I can remember from French class 13 years ago!)

I don't want to argue... but why if a dog is "chained to a tree" does that mean it's not being cared for, neglected or mistreated?

[
 
Dogs are pack animals.  Being seperated from the pack is cruel to them. 

Did you guys know that everyone in Oregon drives a Subaru or an Explorer, wears rubber boots nine months a year and wears Birkenstocks the balance of the time?[] I do wear Birks, but no longer have a Subaru (it was DH's!) and have never had an Exlporer!

When I was a kid, we had a house dog and an outside dog.  Both were intact males, so they fought if together. The outside dog was my dad's work dog and was with him every night for a minimum of nine hours. The rest of the time, he was chained for the safety of the other dogs in the area. He was fine with kids and people.  Would we do it this way if this were happening today?  OF COURSE NOT. Both dogs would be neutered and kept together, crated if need be. Times change and so do people's ideas of what is appropriate for animal care.Gypsy isn't tied outside alone EVER. The only time she IS tied is when we are out in the front yard doing yard work. She is perfectly happy to lie in the sun or the shade and watch us.  She also gets to talk with all the people who walk by.

Maybe someone will say I am abusing my pup but I will admit that when I am at work Lizzie is tied. She has a good size enclosure but I am very fearful of her escaping (she still fits through the bars of the gate). She has plenty of water and food, and I place her crate outside. She has shade and my mom is constantly checking up on her.

ORIGINAL: fuzzy_dogs_mom

[][] Jean, are you serious? Are you telling us that there really are people who have yet to figure out that Alaska is a state??

Joyce

It's true of both New Mexico and Alaska. I'll start a new thread....

ORIGINAL: thedoc617

 
We Texans ride horses to school/work and go to the "saloon" every friday...[8|] Ya'll know what I'm talking about!

yeehaw.

I want to tie him to a tree all day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANd what's the differnec in chaining a dog to a "tree" and chaining a dog to the porch,or a turn out post or attaching the dog to a runner (which could be between two trees

 
There's no difference.  Such dogs can still be attacked by loose dogs or coyotes, they can still be taunted by bratty children, they can be stolen (ever hear of bolt cutters?), and the sun can move, casting the tree's shadow away from the area the dog is limited to.  The dog can tip his water bowl over a half hour after his owner leaves for work, and not get access to water again until 5:30.  Maybe fine on a 60 degree day with a stiff breeze, but not exactly fair on a ninety degree scorcher.  A thunderstorm can come up - I don't know about you, but I would not want my dog tied to a tree in that situation.  I could go on, but I doubt I would change your mind, mehpenn.  The only thing I can say is do what you think is right and live with the consequences.