How often do you check your hardware? [Archive]

Shon

12-20-2004, 02:24 PM

OK - What are we talking about? The hardware that is used to contain your dog(s).

Chain Run: Chain, swivel(s), o-rings, d-rings, lap links, collar, etc.
Cable Run: Cable, chain, cable clamps, pulley, collar, etc.
House: Windows, doors, etc. Basically, whatever ensures the safety of your dog and any animal that may be outside.
Kennel: Fence, locks, latches, rails, flooring (if not solid), etc.

Hope that helps :)

Jenn

12-21-2004, 03:13 PM

Well thank you Shon.
Guess I would have to go with Weekly / Monthly since my two are mostly spoiled house mutts. Their Kennel is looked at daily when we let them out. They have been very good lately at breaking stuff. :mad:

5555

12-21-2004, 03:40 PM

i glance over my equip every day as i feed water and clean up after them, but thouroughly go over all my equipment about every 3 months. i buy stainless chains, swivels, 2 1/2 orings, and have a mamouth tiedown that could hold a bear down. so i dont worry too much but still keep an eye out for defects in workmanship that sometimes dont show for months. and replace with stainless steel parts.
i have seen some people with old rusted up set ups that dont look like they would do the task required of them, and they have more yard accidents do to going cheap in an area where their is no excuse to go cheap. buy stainless chains (p.s. they dont need to be ridiculasly heavy either, just a good medium wieght stainless chain will work fine and stainless is alot stronger than normal and doesnt rust like normal chains) and never use snaps to attatch your dog to the chain, the springs that keep the snaps shut can and will rust out and leave your dog with an oppritunity to excape. use 2 1/2" WELDED stainless orings and slip their collar though it. they are only about 5 bucks at your local tractor supply and well worth the investment.

basically dont go cheap and get the proper supplies from the get go and keep your dogs area clean. if some jackass calls spca on u and the come and see ur dog is in a nice clean enviroment their isnt a whole lot they can do if u take proper care of your animals.

Whiskey Bay

12-21-2004, 05:51 PM

Marty

12-21-2004, 07:37 PM

I check my equip. daily as I am feeding ,watering,cleaning and walking them.It's pretty much a habit to check equiptment, because when your running a horse the last thing you want is for your bit or girth or something to malfunction.And I look at this the same way.

W/B that is the way it should be daily, their are way to many accidents happening with this breed and I would bet you one dollar to a doughnut
this is the #1 problem.

That is why I posted this pole, hopefully, it will help the new owners of this breed.

miakoda

12-21-2004, 09:12 PM

right on whiskey. & the thing about the girths? you only need to make that mistake once & you will never, ever, ever make that mistake again!;)

XxKonnectionsxX

12-22-2004, 06:35 AM

I check my equip. daily as I am feeding ,watering,cleaning and walking them.It's pretty much a habit to check equiptment, because when your running a horse the last thing you want is for your bit or girth or something to malfunction.And I look at this the same way.

If I had a yard full of dogs, I would check everything out everyday. I think thats the best habit. Hey whiskey bay, how many horses do you own? We have 5 with 2 on the way. We're hoping to produce some paints finally. We got a stud that we think will produce some decent babies.

miakoda

12-22-2004, 05:11 PM

I've got a straight Egyption Arabian for stud, X! I love the paint babies, too. Now if only I get my apbts & my horse to get along......naw, never gonna happen.;)

carson3535

12-23-2004, 07:30 AM

check every day are when ever I 'm out side I'll go around and give a good check> Don't want my dogs running off and don't want someone takeing my dogs

Unregistered

12-23-2004, 11:05 AM

I check daily on chains but do a thorough inspection weekly of everything else

Big River Kennels

12-27-2004, 03:43 PM

I check mine as well daily, I also check my dogs daily, I check their butts, genitals, legs, toes, nails, ears, eyes, coats, i love on em alittle while, then feed and water them, check my axels, chains s hooks, swivels, collars, o rings and I rake the dung and discard it. except when weather restricts. I would also like to state a point, those big time swivels, everyone wants a strong one, I hear about those big expensive ones, I even have used them a time or two, I now use swivels that cost about half of the price and are about as strong if not stronger than the big ones made in china or elsewhere. these swivels don't measure much more than 2-3 inches in length and are very reliable. I have never and I repeat never had a yard accident, that involved a maintainance problem or malfunction.

Classic

12-27-2004, 03:55 PM

I am not sure if there is a spot on this site to show newbies how a proper chain set up is done, but that would be a nice touch.

I have had dogs break heavy, unwelded o-rings too
so you can never be too secure in your set-up
check them frequently.

MOhillbilly

01-12-2005, 01:24 PM

when you secure your chain to the swivel coldshuts are the safest option.Laplinks strech.

Irish_Deciple

01-12-2005, 01:33 PM

same here.I glance over them daily, but thoroughly check them weekly.

nc_pitbulls

01-12-2005, 04:20 PM

same here. I Second That

dhcrew

01-31-2005, 04:57 PM

i check mine daily, twice daily actually when i feed everyone

Mudville_Monsta

01-31-2005, 05:57 PM

I check at least once a day when I feed them. Don't have equipment but still worried about what's around them.

TabDogs

02-07-2005, 12:13 PM

The chain set up i use is a swivel o-ring type combo in one. Kinda hard to explain but they slip through the collar and have a swivel bulit in. The axels are also made by a welder. The are about 2 feet long and have a peice that swivels around on them also, I attached a pic of the axel. I have NEVER had a yard accident using this setup. I think the 2 biggest mistakes in a chain setup are 1. using any sort of clamping device to secure the chain to the collar, such as a leash clamp, one of those clamps that has a swivel in them, or one of the weight lifting clamps. The latch will wear and eventually break, not only that but if a dog lays on the latch a certain way the latch will pop open. Most yard accidents i have heard about resulted in using the latches. #2 mistake is the type of anchor or axel you use. It needs to be strong and deep enough in the ground that it cant just be yanked up. A good car axle is probley the best choice far as durable and money wise,you can find a good car axle at your local junkyard, or used car parts place.Just make sure it is NOT rusted out. Or you can do what i have done, have a welder make you a good axle. The stakes you see at petsmart, walmart, etc..are NOT for bulldogs. PLEASE do not attempt this. Even if your good buddy of 6 years jonny whatshisname, tells you "oh shit i have used those for years never had a problem" HE is a quack. THEY DONT WORK. A bulldog will snap one of those stakes in half if he hits the end of his chain hard enough. Just a little advice hope this helps!

TooHotToTrot

02-07-2005, 09:12 PM

Helped me! I know I'm going to start checking my stuff daily now. I live in a rural area and I can just see something traipsing through our fence that surrounds our rather large yard and me not noticing. Time for daily yard walks! Thanks for the wake up call.

Unregistered

02-12-2005, 11:58 PM

Home of Cujo

02-13-2005, 05:45 PM

W/B that is the way it should be daily, their are way to many accidents happening with this breed and I would bet you one dollar to a doughnut
this is the #1 problem.

That is why I posted this pole, hopefully, it will help the new owners of this breed.
I would say that most all attacks are from dogs that their owners don't even care if their dogs run loose!

pitsRus

04-27-2005, 05:26 AM

I check my equip daily, make sure everything is in tip top shape.

GD2

04-29-2005, 01:43 PM

I Dont Have Any Hard Wear.

D.R KING

05-04-2005, 11:13 AM

I use mine daily, so I check it daily

SMILES

05-04-2005, 11:32 AM

I check mine about every week. this is how I do my chain set up.http://www.game-dog.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=2271&c=3&userid=2329W/B that is the way it should be daily, their are way to many accidents happening with this breed and I would bet you one dollar to a doughnut
this is the #1 problem.

That is why I posted this pole, hopefully, it will help the new owners of this breed.

PitbullLover

06-01-2005, 12:04 PM

My dogs are usually house dogs unless we go on our daily long walks. However if I do put them out on the run I make sure, daily, that the chain is secure, their collar is secure, and they have water and shade.

TxDogger

06-01-2005, 12:22 PM

I check mine daily when I feed.. I've had a yard accident or two and the out come has not been good.. So, I now check them everyday

My_Pit_Dixie

06-24-2005, 12:26 AM

I go over mine 2 times a day, now that I know what to use, I just wanted to add that most people in my area uses there trees instead of axels ( I'm not saying this is a good thing or bad) I just see alot of it here, If you do make sure you check the ground for roots, some types of trees are really bad for there roots to come to the surface. I have to agree with TabDogs about the stakes from walmart, petsmart,ect I have never seen those hold any kinda dog.

njchmin

06-24-2005, 12:39 AM

Most of the "accidents" that happen are from people who do not know how to properly raise and care for their Pit Bull, not to mention, most of the "accidents'" that happen are from pit bull MIXES. If they were pur bred there wouldn't be a problem...
Dont blame it all on the mixes. I have 2 half pits and they have nver caused any problems. It all depends on the dog.

misterdogman

06-24-2005, 02:31 AM

The hardware that is used to contain your dog(s).

Chain Run: Chain, swivel(s), o-rings, d-rings, lap links, collar, etc.
Cable Run: Cable, chain, cable clamps, pulley, collar, etc.
House: Windows, doors, etc. Basically, whatever ensures the safety of your dog and any animal that may be outside.
Kennel: Fence, locks, latches, rails, flooring (if not solid), etc.

Hope that helps :)Very detailed shon...I could learn something from you if you give so much detail in everything you talk about...lol... I check daily... use to be a little slack and go weekly or so but that changed real quick when Bambam got off his chain because those oval carabeaner type connecters always go loose on the nut that closes it. Well he got off and did something unmentionable to a 1 year OLD prospect MALE..so to prevent it I switched links to the coller so he dont murder my whole yard...ITS CHEAPER TO BUY GOOD PRODUCTS THAN TO BUY NEW DOGS YOU LOST DUE TO YOUR LACK OF MAINTENANCE...I LEARNED THE HARD WAY... HOPE YOU DON'T.

Marty

06-24-2005, 06:39 PM

Very detailed shon...I could learn something from you if you give so much detail in everything you talk about...lol... I check daily... use to be a little slack and go weekly or so but that changed real quick when Bambam got off his chain because those oval carabeaner type connecters always go loose on the nut that closes it. Well he got off and did something unmentionable to a 1 year OLD prospect MALE..so to prevent it I switched links to the coller so he dont murder my whole yard...ITS CHEAPER TO BUY GOOD PRODUCTS THAN TO BUY NEW DOGS YOU LOST DUE TO YOUR LACK OF MAINTENANCE...I LEARNED THE HARD WAY... HOPE YOU DON'T.This is a chain set up that we started using on grown dogs if its new you can wait 6 months to check it lol ;)
Notice the quarter in pic.

nappydawg

06-24-2005, 06:45 PM

that does look like it would last a lil while there marty

Unregistered

07-15-2005, 05:00 PM

This is a chain set up that we started using on grown dogs if its new you can wait 6 months to check it lol ;)
Notice the quarter in pic.
I think the biggest problem is ... everybody wants puppies, they're not prepared to take care of them, then they don't want them anymore, and they're running loose. Where I live, I can't even walk down my road for peoples dogs running out at me, but nobody seems to know who they belong to. Some people don't have enough sense to have a dog of any kind. I have a pit, a shepherd, and two other mix breed dogs. I keep mine up, I just wish other people would do the same.

Raw

08-11-2005, 11:50 PM

The key is qualiity and not economy.........You get what you pay for, in hardware and dogs. You can get something off the 99 cent menu and still be hungery or buy a 16oz New York Strip and be full for a day. I buy high grade steel log chains and cement them into buckets which I bury about 3-4 feet in the ground. This method has always worked for me and others who taught me the way of the world..................

SWAMPER

08-13-2005, 08:57 PM

...its Cheaper To Buy Good Products Than To Buy New Dogs You Lost Due To Your Lack Of Maintenance...i Learned The Hard Way... Hope You Don't

How True...................

Big Papa

08-19-2005, 12:46 PM

ahhh i'll have to say in the middle

LONGHORNS

10-19-2005, 12:24 AM

i check it daily

pulldoginks

10-19-2005, 09:51 AM

Daily right here

SEAL

10-19-2005, 10:10 AM

The bucket thing is a new idea do you have a pole coming out of the top of it or does the chain go straight into the ground and into the bucket?

chinasmom

11-08-2005, 06:29 PM

Checked daily or when I put her out. It, my chain, is hooked to a heavy spring so when she runs at something, hopefully it will give before it breaks.

J Henry

11-10-2005, 10:02 PM

I check them ever day.

lockjaw

11-16-2005, 02:53 PM

i bought some heavy duty rottweiler spring leash..lucky i had not made it out the gate.in two seconds the spring almost took my eye out..if you walk your dog outside..chain and a thick one..keep in mind weight pulling competition...there not a lot of collars or leashes that work.check everything everyday.

jadedangel

11-21-2005, 08:13 AM

I have just one dog now so I clean her kennel every day and bleach it weekly and

Vipertech

12-27-2005, 02:23 AM

Daily here, but a good inspection a couple times a week. Joel.

kjf85

12-27-2005, 02:07 PM

We check ours twice a day- When we put them out in the morning and at night.(Sometimes more) We feel that you can Never check it too much. It's people who don't have that mind set who make it hard for the rest of us. I feel that if you are going to have animals you have to be responsible about everything- including preventative maintenance.

Miss Conduct

12-27-2005, 03:04 PM

i glance everything over daily, anr really look at things on the weekends. Another thing to watch is collars. I came home to some nasty messes twice because of collars.
When in doubt, double collar it!!!

If someone has a pic for newb's how to properlly double collar a dog, post it, so we dont have any accidents lol.

Raw

01-03-2006, 07:52 PM

It depends on what kind of dirt you got around your place, there is alot of clay here so I don't have to worry about a pole. The clay settles nicely...........Some might want to use a pole......

mfrank465

03-11-2006, 11:45 AM

I thinks maintenece should be daily

MercedesMama

03-11-2006, 01:03 PM

I check their tie out and kennels daily. I've had a couple times where they have broken cheap tie outs and gotten loose. My fence I check weekly.They are mostly inside dogs.

Marty

03-11-2006, 06:29 PM

Ok, this is one of the things we look for, is wear on your hardware...
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c218/Marty2k6/linkwear2.jpg
This can also happen with your chain so be on the aleart ;)

b gonzales

03-12-2006, 09:23 PM

thats one old ass chain or well used son of a b!@h

Marty

03-13-2006, 06:20 PM

Very used, It layed around and rusted ;)

Mercepitdog

03-13-2006, 06:26 PM

Damn, I check mine hardware most of the time when I feed the dogs in the morning. My hardware aint all that old but you never can be to careful

SoColdsBaby

03-16-2006, 10:54 PM

I do Kennels and runs I also have a baby gate at both my house doors i have a three year old how likes to open doors. I check my kennels daily for holes. My kennel have pad locks that go on the doors. But, my girl mainly stays inside and is walked i use a hareness and a collar ad well as a double lead and a nylon leash if the collars breaks there is the hareness vice versa. I do this for her protecting cars don't know how to slow down on the back roads. I learnd this trick of my chows.

Marty

04-21-2006, 09:32 PM

Bump... I bought some new 3/8" rings today (they are weldless rings), and a 3/8 laplink, thought I'd share with ya, this is what we use around the axle ;)

gene_sanchez

04-25-2006, 12:44 PM

very good topic...if every owner checks there dogs equipment there'd be less chance of a pit getting out..and causing more bad press..

Attila

06-07-2006, 02:15 AM

I also check it daily.

Unregistered

06-15-2006, 11:24 AM

I thinks maintenece should be daily

NCPatchwork

06-15-2006, 10:02 PM

I try to look everytime I am outside feeding my female that is outdoors, just for my sake and her wellbeing.

xoxocheng

08-24-2006, 06:32 AM

aha,weekly...

lighta_match

11-30-2006, 02:57 PM

i need help with my acount, i cant do anything like post pics or anything.

mrsmickey351

11-30-2006, 05:25 PM

You are still awaiting activation. Be patient and someone will help you soon.i need help with my acount, i cant do anything like post pics or anything.

newbieturtlepits

11-30-2006, 05:49 PM

i put them out daily so i check it daily ....the pole is cemented deep in the ground very deep.. lots of cement .and still i check it.. knowing the dogs could get loose and jump fence and be gone .. well ,then gotta make sure it doesnt happen .. and if you aint got the time to do it on schedule ..then maybe having a dog tied up outside for sun and air isnt a good choice.. better to hand walk and jog and play... ive learned alot about containment with these dogs ,, i had it easy when i had other breeds.. but these guys bounce like a rubber ball and climb fences like cats climb trees...they make me think all the time about being one step ahead.. every time i think i got the yard secure .. something else comes to my attention... good thing that privacy fence isnt too far from getting up now... gonna be nice.... the electric collars worked some.. but pagan doesnt care about getting shocked at all ..shes wore out many a battery already and doesnt show a care about getting shocked when her hackles are up.. the others well they learned fast and i got alot more peace from it...thanks to all that replied to that and assured me it would be ok...its appreciated

chinasmom

11-30-2006, 06:05 PM

I haven't been a really good checker on that situation, but didn't take me long to find out how important it was. When I installed my chain set-up, I figured it was good for at least a year. Boy, was I wrong. My Blue Merle Pit Mix had completly devastated the thing from all the running back and forth he does. His latch broke ,and I can tell you it was a shock to see him greet me at the door one morning. Now I check the whole set-up out about once a month.

JoeFeezy

04-03-2007, 01:06 AM

I wish i would have checked mine alot more about two years ago. I lost ecko due to faulty clips on his chain.

dunlap

04-04-2007, 11:04 PM

I check mine daily some times twice a day. I guess I'm a bit "paranoid" but I'd rather be safe then sorry... Boudreaux is the main one to watch because he used to snap everything so I put a little "spring do la hicky" on it and it absorbs the shock. Annabelle is tricky and gets outta her collars all the time so I have to keep hers tighter than normal and therefore I'm always making sure it isnt "too tight"...

binker

05-28-2007, 12:43 PM

I check mine every day, a few minutes each day can save you alot of trouble.

MIKA

05-29-2007, 07:54 PM

I check my hardware daily. When I come in from work two dogs get turned in two seperate running pens for about an hour while I clean and check their chains and such. After i've chained em back up two more do the same thing while I do the same thing untill all 8 are done. Then I feed and water. My two youngest pups are in a 10x12x6 kennel (i'm gonna have to seperate them very soon) and I let them out for a couple of hours every evening while I scoop poop. My other pup is goin on a chain this week. I have a chain link fence around my yard with a divider and two 10x30x6 running pens and my pup kennel. My dogs stay chained unless i'm home.

chinasmom

07-01-2007, 12:50 AM

ghost 1

07-01-2007, 03:09 AM

Weekly. Rolo got of his chain last week, so I will be checking more often than that. Has anyone else had problems with the brass snaps. On his, where the part that snaps to the collars and the swivel just came apart. The snap sliped right through.

i checked mine just the other day i walked out and layed my arms on the fence and poww it shocked the fire smooth out of me,,,(electric fence) by accident,,, you talk about pep in your step,, escialally since its for cows and horses

Daveeatem77

09-28-2007, 10:50 AM

I must check mine Weekly . I live near a highly populated housing area with strict rules on dogs. I also have children and feel much more comfortable knowing that preventitve maintance can prevent accidents. My dogs are very overprotective of my kids and don't tolerate anyone coming near them

Ella

09-29-2007, 04:26 AM

I don't chain my dog (he's the only one living in my house and our country doesn't allow us to make tie outs, it's considered animal cruelty :rolleyes: ). Other hardware is checked daily, which doesn't mean anything. Last week a huge bullsnap broke because my dog hit the end of the leash... luckily I always have a backupstrap.