[Drayken]

Only about 2 weeks before we bring a pup home. I am wondering, how do most of you play with your pups in the yard, who do not have fenced in yards? I NEVER plan to leave the pup tied outside, while not being out there with him/her. But was thinking of having a 20ft. light cable, so the pup would have 40ft of free moving space, while we played with him/her. (without fear of the dog running out to the road. (I plan to boundary train but that will take a while).

Would a cable be too heavy/restricting for a pup? Would it be better to go with a nylon lead? Do they make anything that is safer, so there is no sudden "end" of the line?

Lastly, I am just starting to read up on this part: are dog trolleys any good? I know I remember hearing about dogs hanging themselves, but again, I never plan to have the dog out there without us also. This is all more for "boundaries" than "confinement".

 

[sully]

I know those tie-outs that you stake into the ground can work for puppies.  They have those ones that have a spring and an anti-tangle swivel, it is supposed to have some "give" to it.  I've never used them myself but I know people who have.  The only suggestion I have is to use a harness instead of a collar, because they don't seem to remember (or care) that they are tied up and will run and chase like are free and this can result in serious neck/trachea damage.   As long as you supervise a tie-out, I think it could work for now.

 

[Newcastle]

Just be sure to check your local laws - more and more areas are restricting or even prohibiting tethering, whether the owner is present or not.

 

[Boxerpop]

When Donner was smaller we used a 50ft woven cloth lead that i picked up at the Country Max store. Works really good. I believe that they are called a training lead. You have to watch them as far as chewing on them. Puppy teeth are really sharp and can cut thru them in no time. We have since fenced in the yard. I wouldn't leave them unsupervised with the cloth line.

 

[Guest]

we have one of the things you screw in the groud and hook a leash or something to.  We have a really long thin cable.  It only gets used when my mother-in-law watches the dogs.  She doesn't have control at all on Binga and that is the only way she can be outside with her without me or my husband present.

We live in a secluded area, but our driveway comes out onto the service road, so we don't want to chance her running off.  Binga and Bear play off leash when me and the hubby are home because they know not to go anywhere.  They play and run and don't even attempt to run off.  Binga ran from the MIL once and it was scary, so no more free reign for her.

I think it works well because she still gets to play with Bear and we don't worry about her getting away from my MIL.  I hope we can get a fence soon.  But we live close to my husband's family and we aren't sure where to put it without it being in their way    :?

 

[mylittledeers]

Kelly forgot to mention that in addition to a 50' recall lead, Donner had a 40' dog trolley "run" and did great with it. Always supervised of course but he even learned to do boxer spins without getting tangled up. Blitzen on the other hand is freaked out by the noise the trolley wheel makes as it moves along and wouldn't move an inch!! So I guess the trolley depends on the dog. :lol:

 

[Majorsdad]

You could set up a cable run from one tree to another.  

Also, have you considered an invisible fence?  I had the same problem you're having, with my dog.  I wanted to play with him outside, and it was ok for the first couple weeks until i couldn't catch him anymore. lol.  Since then I put invisible fence in, because he can run the whole length of the yard in any direction when I throw a ball or whatever, and I don't have to worry about him running into the street, or chasing squirrels in the neighbors yard or anything.  

The only thing about the tie outs that screw into the ground are that boxers are strong enough to pull them out of the ground.  There was a lady at the dog park the other day with a 13 month old boxer, and he pulls theirs right out.

 

[sully]

You're not worried about your boxer running through an invisible fence?

I agree about the stake not being secure for an older dog, but for a very young puppy it should work temporarily.  In the long run it won't be the answer

 

[samsonsmom]

We used a 50 ft line for Angel to give her some running room before we had the fences put up, BUT, she was an adult, well sorta...Always supervised, and like Jennifer said, I would check your local laws just to be on the safe side..We live outside the city limits, so it wouldn't effect us, not that anyone out here would obey it anyways :roll:

 

[Drayken]

Thanks everyone. We live more in a rural area, and a culs-de-sac. No way I will leave the pup out there alone. Too many kids, and other dogs. (all friendly, but not taking any chances. Problem is, we have a good size corner property. We have a good size front yeard, but long, narrow back yard. (Back yard will be perfect for a dog trolley/run). The front yard has a nice stump from a removed tree, that is spaced just the right distance from two other trees, and the house, so less chance of getting tangled. I was thinking of putting a good size eye bolt in it, to attach the tie out.

I wish we could do a fence, but it would look horrible the way our yard is set up I plan to do an invisible fence, but not till next year, so the pup will be 1yr old.

 

[Kalyn]

I've read that invisible fences may not be effective for Boxers. I don't know from personal experience however. I'd do some research before making the investment.

I use a trolley with a 50' cable attached. It works well. You just have to be aware of the area he can cover. When I throw a ball, I always make certain it lands within his range.