Dog Community

tethering question

Posted : 6/6/2006 12:52:50 PM

I know there was a debate recently about having dogs tethered up in the backyard, but this is a separate question. Let me just say first that there is NO CHANCE I will ever tether Ben up in the backyard and leave him there.

However.....

SO and I are big fans of the good, old fashioned picnic, and we go on one every chance we get, in parks, fields etc. It will be a while before Ben has a 100% reliable recall, and I don't see that happening this summer. Is buying a tethering stake a reasonable option for use only when we go on a picnic and I need both hands free to eat? It's the only time I'd ever use it, and he'd have a lead long enough to run about and play.

Is this a fair and reasonable use of a stake, or should I be trying to think of other options?

TIA

hlb118

Posted : 6/6/2006 12:56:02 PM

Beau has 100% recall, and I still use a 20' or so cable to tie him in a public place. I think it's safer to have them tied when you're having an outing. If I was out in the woods with no other humans present, then Beau would be free to do what he wants, but that's a different story.

marlania

Posted : 6/6/2006 1:05:13 PM

Your idea sounds pretty reasonable to me. I use long leads when we bring the boys to the beach that way they have enough room to run around but are still within my control.

smilee1079

Posted : 6/6/2006 1:43:34 PM

I tether Zoe on the few instances that occurs. Also, next week while we are on vacation my parents, who don't have a fenced in yard, will watch Zoe. I am brining a 30 ft. cord so that Zoe can run around some still while my mom sits down and relaxes and watches.

Growing up my friends use a clothesline type thing from their back door across the whole backyard and attached up high to a tree at the other end. They had a rolling mechanism and extending leash type thing (or maybe just a really long one) so that their springer spaniel had roam of the entire yard but was still on leash sorta and free to play. The dog was an inside dog... this was just for play and potty.

Mic

Posted : 6/6/2006 2:02:16 PM

I tether my young dogs all of the time. Key is to supervise them. Go get a tie out and enjoy your picnic!

jeano

Posted : 6/6/2006 2:03:15 PM

That's what I do with Sofia. Otherwise she'd go a a'hunting and I'd lose her. Perfectly reasonable. But she'd pull a stake up in no time flat. She's either tethered to me or to the table or a tree, or if we are eating off the tailgate, to the truck.

Benedict

Posted : 6/6/2006 3:36:18 PM

Thanks all. I just didn't want to be one of those dog owners that is seen as being horrible when in fact I am being protective of Ben. I know the stigma that tethers have and wanted to confirm that there are specific occasions when it is justifiable. I'd hate to have my baby run off in a park - then I would kick myself for NOT tethering him.

Kate