Dogs are social creatures who need interaction with other animals and/or people. Keeping a dog on a chain can be extremely detrimental to a dog's health, well-being, and ability to properly socialize with humans.  An otherwise friendly dog, when kept chained for long periods of time, becomes bored, lonely, depressed, neurotic, and/or anxious. Many dog owners don't realize the emotional and psychological harm it inflicts.   Chained dogs often become aggressive. A tied dog, unable to flee, resorts to fighting, and may attack any unfamiliar animal or person who wanders into his or her territory.

Off the Chain works with dog owners to improve the situations for their dogs. Most owners are open to support, having chained their dogs outside because of an old way of thinking about pets that has been passed down to them, and a lack of education about what is appropriate today. In addition to building fences, we seek to educate dog owners in ways to take better care of their dogs. 

Says Lynn, a founding board member of Off the Chain: "The difference between a chained dog and an unchained dog is like night and day. A chained dog has this look in his eyes like he has given up. His head is lowered, like the life has been drained out of him. Once that chain is taken off and he can run free in his new fence, he is a different animal. He runs around, greeting all the volunteers who put up the fence, as if to say 'Thank you!' It's like he has come back to life. Always brings a tear to my eye at the end of a fence build."

Should you choose to support us in this effort, we would be most grateful. Click on the Donate link at the top of this page if you would like to contribute to our mission. Thank you so much!