Managing your pups behavior indoors

Tether Training

The purpose of tethering is to confine your new dog an area near you where he/she will be safe and secure without causing problems in your home. The tether is a short plastic coated wire cable with a snap on one end and a loop on the other. It should be approximately 2 to 3 feet long. The short length of the tether is essential to prevent the dog from becoming tangled. The snap enables you to quickly attach the tether around any heavy furniture leg or through an eyebolt. It is plastic coated to prevent damage to the furniture. It can also be used in the car around seat belts. The cable is wire to prevent the dog from chewing through it. We suggest using several tether locations, one in the kitchen, in the living room, near the bed, and in the car.

When you bring your new dog or puppy home and have time to spend with him/her, the dog must be tethered near you or on a leash with you at all times. If you cannot supervise your dog, he/she should be in the crate or outside. The tether is used for training, not as a crutch.

The tether enables your dog to be in the house at all times. Never use the tether outside and do not use the tether if your dog is alone in the home. You don't need to be in the room but you must be at home. This will actually increase your dog's freedom. The dog will be able to go more places with you if you can place the dog knowing he/she will fell secure and not create a problem.

We recommend continued use of the tether and crate until the dog fully understands the new environment, with a gradual reduction thereafter.

Use of the tether allows for the following:

Bonding - Allowing the new dog to be with or near you is essential to creating a loving and secure relationship between you and your dog. If there is no place available to tether the dog, keep the dog with you at all times by holding the leash or securing it to your belt loop.

Security - Tethering gives the dog the security of knowing where he/she belongs and how to act, not only in your home but when you take the dog to a new environment.

Housebreaking - Dogs do not like to relieve themselves in their immediate area. Make sure you take your dog out on a routine basis and praise appropriate elimination. If elimination does not occur, return the dog to the crate for 15 to 30 minutes and then take out again.

Calming - Tethering calms the dog inside the home or car. The dog should be on the tether for a minimum of 30 minutes and can stay tethered for longer.

Destructive Chewing - Close tethering prevents the dog from destroying your possessions. Provide stationary toys such as Nyla-bones or Flossys. Do not use balls that might roll away and cause the dog to bark.

Socialization - By using the tether you are allowing your dog to be near you but not to be the center of attention 24 hours a day.

A dog who can be tethered without causing problems, possesses a skill that will be handy in many situations over his/her lifetime. Remember the dog's greatest joy in life is to be near you and to please you. ASPCA