I have two dogs I want to put on run lines until I can get a fence built. One is 50 lbs., one about 60 lbs.?

Question

Should I make special accommodations, as they are rather strong dogs (one is a puppy, but he's, if anything, at least as strong as his momma). Momma is a boxer and son is a boxer/mutt and is taller than she is. I have a large tree (with two opposite facing large trunk branches) about 40-45 feet from my raised porch and am considering running two lines angled to stanchions on the back and front of the porch (no access to stairs or obstacles). I don't think they can jump up onto the porch, as it is raised about 4 to 4.5 feet and I've never seen them try it in the past, although they can jump off the porch.

Do I need extra strong run lines and drop lines for safety, or are the standard dog run lines sufficient? The boxer's former owner had trouble keeping her tethered and she is used to taking off after wildlife. I take them out on leashes to walk currently, but I'm worried they're not getting enough exercise, and I can't let them run free. Any advice? First time trying this.

Answer 1

The lines are usually adequate. Its the clips at each end that tend to fail. Many people clip it to something instead of running it around something then clipping it back to the cable.

Consider an overhead line since it avoids tangling.

Or running the line around the base of the house which can provide more range without getting the circle effect. And since the dog can only go one direction from the run cable, it also doesnt tend to tangle.

You might want to double-collar them. A regular cloth collar and a constricting collar both. The cloth collar will keep the contricting one from continually choking the dog, but the constricting one will kick in if they try to slip out of the cloth one.

Also be sure to check with local laws. Some places have laws now which say that a dog may not be chained up for more than a set number of hours each day. Some places specify what type of collar you can use. And many specify things like how long it must be to the length of the dog, how much area it must provide, and access to food/water. The local pet store might know, local vets, spca, or you might be able to google it online but finding all of the fed, state, county, city rules can be hard to do.

Answer 2

There is a website, I think it is called "no chained dogs" or something like that , and they have diagrams about how to make a simple line that allows the dog a lot more range than simply tieing him to a tree. It looks like a clothesline hung high (probably a wire) and the dog's lead is looped around that so they have more freedom of movement. You have to be careful about things like fences and maybe the porch because you don't want the dog getting in a situation where they can hang themselves from the lead.

I am not a fan of any kind of chaining. My neighbor chains their dog and I worked out a deal to let them play in my yard when I am home. Extended chaining makes dogs neurotic and/or aggressive. Please get the fence installed as soon as possible.

Answer 3

Won't the wire used for run-lines work? Another option would be an electric type fence. It's much cheaper than regular chain length. My sister is just putting one in for her big dog and it's less than a hundred dollars.

Answer 4

Dog Cable Runner

Answer 5

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