Here’s my secret: I bought this thing called a leash, and a few times a day I will attach the leash to my dog and we go outside together. Then (you might want to brace yourself for this), we go on a walk. Together. I know, you’re probably thinking, “But doesn’t this take away from her valuable TV-watching and butt-scratching time?” Yes, it does, but I decided that was a sacrifice I was willing to make to have a wonderful dog like Zelda in my life.

When I first got her, she didn’t have any house manners at all. This meant I actually had to supervise my dog and teach her what behaviors were appropriate. Oh, the horror of it!

Seriously, though, I really don’t get why you’d want to get a dog just so you could have it tied up outside all the time. That’s not fun for either of you.

And they’re saying it’s discrimination because they’re poor? I know tons of people with dogs who don’t have yards and they manage the same way I do. We steer our dogs towards appropriate things to chew, we give them plenty of exercise and stimulation so they mostly sleep when we’re not home, and we make sure we can take them outside when they need to go, even if it means coming home at lunch to walk them or not going out for drinks right after work. Yes, it’s a pain sometimes, but our dogs are worth it!

http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com
These wonderful folks will help anyone anywhere get their pets off the chain. They will help with fencing, shelter, bedding-whatever is needed. They will provide material for fencing and sometimes they will provide someone who will install the fence for you. If you prefer they happily provide how-to information. Fencing does not have to be expensive.

http://www.mothersagainstdogchaining.org/
Dogs are very loving animals who want to be part of a pack. YOU ARE THEIR PACK.They want nothing more than to be with you and your family. When they live chained outside, they do not have this love or family. They spend every minute of every day within a tiny, confined space. Many dogs then become aggressive, and can and do take this anger out on a child or adult.

http://www.unchainyourdog.org
To become well-adjusted companion animals, dogs should interact regularly with people and other animals, and should receive regular exercise.

It is an owner’s responsibility to properly restrain her dog, just as it is the owner’s responsibility to provide adequate attention and socialization. Placing an animal on a restraint to get fresh air can be acceptable if it is done for a short period. However, keeping an animal tethered for long periods is never acceptable.