Tethered Dogs

Dogs that are continually chained suffer psychological damage from lack of social interaction and exercise, extreme temperatures, overturned water bowls, and tangled chains.  Often they receive sporadic feedings and inadequate veterinary care.  They must eat, sleep, and eliminate in one small area.  Moreover, chaining dogs by their collars can cause irreversible damage to the vital organs in their necks. 

Tethered dogs often become anxious and aggressive and will attack those that cross into their territory, including children.  Contrary to popular belief, chained dogs do not make good guard dogs. The best guard dogs are those that are treated well and live in a home, which is how police dogs are raised.  

Unchain Your Dog provides resources to save dogs from life on a chain, including tips on how to talk to owners, build fences, and pass anti-tethering laws.  

In Canada, K-9 Unchain Canada is working to eliminate unattended tethering of dogs in Canada.