Tying your dog

Tethering or tying up a dog should only be done as an interim measure of control eg whilst you quickly do something else and whilst you remain present.

The ideal scenario is that you are there to supervise so that your dog does not become agitated, injured or accidentally hang himself in your absence. He also won’t feel the need to ‘chew’ his way off.

A tether should be connected to either a flat neck collar or harness and not be connected to a slip lead/chain. There should be nothing that he or the tether could potentially get caught on.

Of course there are handy circumstances in which you might tie up your dog. Perhaps you want to sip coffee with a friend at an outdoor café allowing dogs and you want to tether fido next to you. Or maybe you are out somewhere with your dog on leash and need to tether him whilst you attend to helping someone.

It is best to condition your dog rather than waiting until the moment arises. To begin with, whilst you are at home you can practice tying him up momentarily on his leash to say, a patio post. Give him a treat or praise him and quickly undo the tie up and move to another place to do the same thing. Over time you can build up the duration and practice this whilst you are out with him until you can tie your dog and he can remain relaxed instead of barking or snapping his neck trying to get off.

Another tip is to tie him whilst he eats (remaining present of course) and then untie him when he is finished. He’ll soon develop a positive association with being tethered. I love having a carabeena handy because I can attach and unattach the leash handle to a fixed point in seconds rather than fumbling with a knot.

Tied dogs left alone can easily become tangled or be subject to unwanted attention from people or other animals.

Leah & Angela OMeara Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)