[Fieldfare]

Hi- I'm thinking of getting a dog. Would be great to get your thoughts. Is it fair (and legal) to keep a dog on a long tether in front of a well built outside kennel for 8 hours? It will have the company of geese and chickens and sometimes sheep (but probably no people all day). In evenings will sleep downstairs in our house. If you think this is a possibility I'm looking to get a rescue dog- should I go for a pup or a suitable older dog? I also assume as outside I should go for a 'hairy and chunky' dog?

Your thoughts would be much appreciated- I've been mulling over this for some while!

Thanks,

[doganjo]

Hi- I'm thinking of getting a dog. Would be great to get your thoughts. Is it fair (and legal) to keep a dog on a long tether in front of a well built outside kennel for 8 hours? It will have the company of geese and chickens and sometimes sheep (but probably no people all day). In evenings will sleep downstairs in our house. If you think this is a possibility I'm looking to get a rescue dog- should I go for a pup or a suitable older dog? I also assume as outside I should go for a 'hairy and chunky' dog?

Your thoughts would be much appreciated- I've been mulling over this for some while!

Thanks,

If you came to me as a breeder and told me that was what you planned you 'd get not just a flea ion your ear but a thick ear into the bargain.  You are not fit to own a dog if it even occurred to you that is a good thing to do

[Black Raven]

Sorry to say I think it is a bit cruel. Dogs need company, and any rescue their salt would not let you have one. We won't allow any of our rescue dogs to go where they would  be chained up. It is a written part of our 'contract' with new owners that this should not happen.

[bigchicken]

Very harsh words. where is the diplomacy. would a simple  not a good idea not do

[doganjo]

Very harsh words. where is the diplomacy. would a simple  not a good idea not do

Sorry but where cruelty is concerned there can be no diplomacy.   I realise some people might keep a dog chained up like that but they are in the minority and the authorities would be onto it in a  flash if they were alerted.  I would certainly report it if I saw a dog chained up for long periods. 

In fact we sold a youngster to a falconer once years ago.  We were given all the right answers to our questions but I had a bad feeling about it.  We went there the following day, found her tied in the middle of a field with an upturned tea chest with straw in it, she was just lying there crying softly to herself  She was taken home straight away and his money thrown at him.  Sorry but this really makes me angry!

[calamityjane]

i have just got a delightful jackrussel  and my son has 2 collies but dogs are very sociable animals who dont like to be left alone its great having a dog in summer most people forget when its really windy wet n cold they need a walk even if us humans cant be bothered any dog i have had loves human company i take my dog and sons up to ponies alot i dont think its fair to leave a dog alone all day but thats my opinion holly has settled into our lives pretty well apart from the chasing hens but thats her terrier in her  you could build a enclosed kennel i suppose but they still need lots of attention walks etc

[lachlanandmarcus]

Keeping a dog alone - no, not ok
For eight hours a day - no, not ok
Tethered - err, you are joking? NOT ok


 

Suggest getting a cat instead.....

[Bionic]

Suggest getting a cat instead.....

But not a tethered cat 

[bigchicken]

Have been thinking about this over night and I have come to the conclusion that this post is a wind up its just so not right. If it is not then omg.

[doganjo]

I thought that too, but if you scroll through Fieldfare's previous posts they are fairly sensible.

[SallyintNorth]

Fieldfare, dogs are pack animals and whilst they will adapt to a human pack they are happier with other dogs for company.  Regularly being 8 hours during waking hours without other members of the pack would not be nice for a dog, no. 

Most rescue centres will not allow a dog to go to a home where it would be alone for longer than 4 hours, and I am pretty sure would not accept tethering for long periods either.

If you are wanting a dog for company and walks as well as guarding duties, a different approach might be to build a nice run and kennels in the yard you want guarded and get two dogs who would be company for each other when 'on duty'. 

Whatever you get, it will also need proper exercise and not just running around in it's (their) pen and between the yard and the house. 

Hope that helps
Sally x

[robert waddell]

when i was young it was common to see a farm dog tied up with access to either a kennel or shed (collies)  it was also common to see dogs tied up at scrapyards (Alsatians)  recently on the TV i saw collies tied up at a farm  and also dogs in runs  both were working collies
a single dog tied up  invariably ends up with behavioral problems as do dogs left on there own inside a house i would also think that a single dog caged up would also develop problems if left constantly on its own
a dog is what you make  it if you socialise your dog will also be sociable if trained  if you are at the back of beyond your dog will protect the pack ( you )
if you have never had a dog before it needs some serious thought what you want the dog for and if you would be able to look after it in this day and age of of petty complaints leading to battles
if it is for security you'd be better of with cameras and you don't need to feed them or exercise them
if it is for being a companion  as some has suggested get a cat no make that two cats they can adjust to being in a house 24/7 with amusements

[scandanavia]

hey you guys what ever happened to "be nice".
there are better ways to inform people of whats right or wrong than to shout at them!
ASKING a question ia good.......dont shoot them down!

Iam a frequent visitor to this site but I really would like a be nice policy!

Happy Christmas.

[doganjo]

hey you guys what ever happened to "be nice".
there are better ways to inform people of whats right or wrong than to shout at them!
ASKING a question ia good.......dont shoot them down!

Iam a frequent visitor to this site but I really would like a be nice policy!

Happy Christmas.

I WAS being nice!  believe me any cruelty to animals and I am NOT nice.  I did NOT shout!  THIS IS SHOUTING!  Anyone with any thought for the welfare of an animal would never even THINK of tying it up and leaving it unattended for hours on end. Anything could happen, at worst it could get the chain/rope tied round it's neck and die a horrible death, and at the very least, as Robert says, it would have behavioural problems.  I am really sorry if I came across as not nice, there are a great number of people on this forum who would dispute that I think.

[HappyHippy]

Annie - you're lovely  I certainly didn't think any of the replies were rude, more trying to stress what a bad idea it was 

Animal rehoming charities don't tend to rehome into the type of situation the OP is suggesting - there was someone on here not so long ago who wasn't allowed to re-home a dog because they worked part-time (even although there were other dogs on the premises for company)

I'd agree with everyone else, until such times as you'll be there more often, get a camera for security (or up your geese numbers AND get a gander  ) and get a couple of cats for company  I've got to point out at this point that I'm a 'dog' person (always have, always will be  ) but I really enjoy having my 2 wee kitties running riot - they're great fun