Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week

Who hasn’t seen a dog chained to a dog house and wondered if the dog has ever had the pleasure of enjoying time indoors with its owner or family? Unfortunately, thousands of dogs all across the U.S. live chained, day in and day out, regardless of the weather or season. You may even have a neighbor dog, tethered to a tree, clothesline or a shed, barking until someone remembers to pour some kibble into his food dish.

Dogs are naturally social and physically active animals. The isolation they endure when continuously tethered creates dogs that are lonely, bored and anxious. Most of them eventually become territorial and aggressive. Research has shown that chained dogs are at a greater risk of biting people than dogs that don’t live a chained life. Ordinances that restrict chaining are beneficial to both dogs and people.

February 7 – 14, 2019 is National Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week. This Valentine’s week observance was created by the organization called Dogs Deserve Better.

Dogs Deserve Better is a national group that advocates for and rescues chained and penned dogs outside. Their goal is to provide a better life for abused, neglected and abandoned dogs, especially those chained or penned without human companionship.

The volunteers at Dogs Deserve Better work hard all year long to educate society to practice higher ethical and moral standards for the treatment of dogs.

Here are some of the activities that Dogs Deserve Better perform in their quest to improve the lives of chained or penned dogs.

• Meet with the caretakers of dogs that are chained or penned up outside to advocate for the dog and discuss alternatives open to them
• Provide fencing grants to those willing to bring their dog inside but can’t afford to put up a fence to keep their dog safe
• Award Hero Grants to assist individuals and non-profit rescues with the cost of routine vet care and spay/neuter costs for formerly penned or chained dogs

During Valentine’s week, volunteers sends handmade Valentine’s Day cards to the owners of continuously chained dogs. Each Valentine is signed from their dog and includes a brochure that explains why keeping a dog chained up all the time is a form of abuse. They include a coupon for dog food or treats. Their goal is to educate people (rather than accuse them of wrongdoing) so they will consider either bringing their dog in the house as a family member or find a better home for the dog.

The Valentine’s Day cards are created by school classrooms, Scout groups, church groups and other volunteer groups. Many organizations hold Valentine’s Day parties for this effort.

There are many ways interested individuals and groups can get involved in the effort to advocate for continuously chained or penned dogs.

• Get to know a dog’s owner if you are concerned about a chained dog. Here are tips on how to talk to an owner.
• Offer to walk a chained dog
• Organize fence building (or repairing) parties and ask local building supply stores to donate materials.
• Spaying and neutering will help dogs calm down and stay closer to home. Contact the Pikes Peak Humane Society at 719-302-8798 or SpayUSA at 800-248-SPAY (7729).
• Replace old collars with a new nylon collar. You should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and the dog’s neck. If you need a new hole to make it fit right, use a hammer and nail to create a hole.
• Ensure the dog has food and water every day. Dig a hole in the ground to place the water dish in so it won’t tip over. Farm supply stores sell rubber livestock bowls that won’t tip over. Make sure the dog’s water dish isn’t frozen over in cold weather.
• Do what you can to ensure the animal has warm shelter during the winter. If you can’t convince the owner to bring the dog in, offer to buy a doghouse if the dog doesn’t have one. See if you can fill the doghouse with hay or cedar from farm supply stores. Cover the door with a plastic flap, like a car mat or heavy blanket. Make sure the dog house is big enough for the dog to turn around in, but small enough that it traps body heat.
• Do what you can to provide shade for the dog in summer. Remember that dog houses get hot in the summer! You can stretch a tarp to create shade. Consider filling a kiddie pool with cold water to help the dog cool off.
• Give healthy chew bones (see article on FDA warning about bone treats) and project toys.
• Transport rescued dogs.
• Adopt rescued dogs (here are 8 things to consider before adopting a shelter dog.)
• Foster and help rehabilitate rescued dogs.
• Volunteer to walk chained dogs or dog-sit for a few hours, especially if the owner is an invalid or home-bound.
• Share brochures by putting them out in vets offices, restaurants, travel plazas, etc.
• Display posters in your office or hang them up in appropriate public places.
• Persuade billboard companies to donate time on a billboard.
• Hang flyers around town.
• Run a booth at a pet fair or other community event.
• Solicit donated public service announcements (PSAs) for radio and TV.
• Hand deliver information to owners of chained dogs.
• Show the Dogs Deserve Better video and give a short presentation to schools, churches, groups and lawmakers.
• Work to advocate and change laws.
• Don’t get discouraged. You may not be able to save all neglected dogs, but whatever you can do to help even one dog makes a difference.

*Note: If you see a dog that is starving or in trouble, call El Paso County Animal Law Enforcement at 719-302-8798. Colorado law requires that animals be provided with adequate food, drink and protection from the weather. (Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 19, Article 9, Part 2. Cruelty to Animals)

Here at Canine Campus we offer high-touch, personal care. We love dogs and consider them part of the Canine Campus family. Our team makes sure every dog enjoys a safe, happy and enjoyable time, whether it’s for daycare, grooming or overnight boarding. Boarding includes daycare, breakfast and lunch breaks. We offer Peek-a-Pooch cameras so you can watch your dog having fun. We encourage you to pass the word along to anyone you think might be interested in enrolling at Canine Campus.