Unchain Your Dog

If you are here because you currently keep your dog chained or penned, we applaud your efforts to give him/her a better life! Browse the articles section for tips on housetraining and fencing. If you need help, contact us at info@dogsdeservebetternova.com. We will help you.

If you have received information in the mail, we appreciate the time you took to visit our website. Your address was provided to us by a fellow animal lover who would like to see your dog have a better life.

Victoria Stilwell, host of Animal Planet's "It's Me or the Dog," writes about

 the dangers of chaining dogs.

 

Dog Whisperer, Ceser Milan, talks about the dangers of chaining dogs.

The Facts About Chaining Dogs
Written by The Humane Society of the United States.

The Ultimate Goal in Using a Crate
Joan Sinden helps educate how and when to use a crate to housetrain your dog. This is particularly useful for those bringing adult dogs into the home that have lived chained outside.

Rehabilitating Chained or Confined Dogs
One of the most important articles you will find here was written by Debby Dobson exclusively for our organization. Our thanks go out to her. This article addresses the potential for behavioral problems due to lack of socialization in chained or penned dogs. Debby speaks to this challenge, and provides insight into some of these issues.

How a Crate Can Save Your Sanity and Save Your Dog's Life
Tammy S. Grimes tells the tale of her first crate-training experience, what she learned, and how you can put that to use to bring your dog into the home.

Can't Fence Me In? Alternatives to Traditional Fences
Dori Gilbert explains options to traditional fences and considerations to make when choosing which is right for your dog.

A Humane Answer for Dogs that Climb Over Fences
Written by Clova Abrahamson, this article explains a system she has devised to heighten a fence without starting over and incurring a ton of expense.

Outside Dogs
By Dr. Dennis Fetko, Ph.D.

Managing Your Stress and Your Pets
Stan Popovich writes about stress management techniques that will save the relationship with your pets.

"Can We Help You Keep Your Pet?" Crate Training

YouTube Video: From Chained Dog to Trained Dog
A neglected, chained dog reaches his potential as the healthy, obedient, and socialized dog he was meant to be with help from AEAR (Animal Education and Rescue).

Poem: Do I Go Home Today?
My family brought me home cradled in their arms.
They cuddled me and smiled at me and said I was full of charm.
They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys.
I sure do love my family, especially the girls and boys.
The children loved to feed me, they gave me special treats.
They even let me sleep with them - all snuggled in the sheets.
I used to go for walks, often several times a day.
They even fought to hold the leash, I'm very proud to say.
These are the things I'll not forget - a cherished memory.
I now live in the shelter-without my family.
They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe.
But I didn't know the difference between the old ones and the new.
The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug.
So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug.
They said that I was out of control, and would have to live outside.
This I did not understand, although I tried and tried.
The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn't time.
I wish that I could change things, I wish I knew my crime.
My life became so lonely, in the backyard, on a chain.
I barked and barked all day long to keep from going insane.
So they brought me to the shelter but were embarrassed to say why,
They said I caused an allergy, and then they each kissed me goodbye.
If I'd only had some classes, as a little pup.
I wouldn't have been so hard to handle when I was all grown up.
"You only have one day left." I heard the worker say.
Does that mean I have a second chance?
Do I go Home today?

(Author Unknown)
 

A Dog's Purpose
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as thought Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.
Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.  We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up. "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
(Author Unknown)
 

Poem: Baggage
Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed,
All nicely tucked in my warm new bed.

I'd like to open my baggage lest I forget,
There is so much to carry - So much to regret.

Hmm . . . Yes there it is, right on the top.
Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss;
And there by my leash hides Fear and Shame.

As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave -
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.

I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,
But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me.

Will you add to my baggage?
Will you help me unpack?

Or will you just look at my things and take me right back?
Do you have the time to help me unpack?

To put away my baggage, to never repack?
I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see,
But I do come with baggage -
Will you still want me?
(Author Unknown)