yard set-up

[CRG]

i am debating between chain set up and kennel runs. i would like some opions on which is better. i know runs will cost more but i have a hook up where i could get it done fairly cheap. i would like some tips or advice on which is better. i am looking at keeping between 10 to 12 dogs on my yard. thanks in advanced

[LA_Headhunters]

Either is fine as it really depends on the amount of space you have. If you use Runs I.e. pens you will need space in between them or some way to keep the dogs from fighting through the fence. They also take up less space then a Chain setup. But chain setups do add a little more as far as if the dogs is a good one that likes to work the chain. Either way you need make sure that the dogs are secure what ever you use.

[Bubba]

There is no better way to keep a bulldog safe and secured than a chain setup. At least in my opinion. These bulldogs can be a pain in the ass in a kennel run, they can climb it, if you buy the cheap chain link kind, they can chew thru it eventually...and in my opinion, and from what I have noticed with my own dogs, a bulldog ACTS better on a chain than they do in a kennel setup. And I believe that dogs on a chain get better interaction with their owners on a chain...

BB

[gator]

I can not say enough use 3/8 chain solid O rings on each end and you can sleep peacefully. Kennels just dont work out that well,I lost a dog one time in a kennel because he liked to think he could eat treated 2x6`s and that just dont do a dogs guts any good when they start chewing on it.There is no better way to keep a bulldog safe and secured than a chain setup. At least in my opinion. These bulldogs can be a pain in the ass in a kennel run, they can climb it, if you buy the cheap chain link kind, they can chew thru it eventually...and in my opinion, and from what I have noticed with my own dogs, a bulldog ACTS better on a chain than they do in a kennel setup. And I believe that dogs on a chain get better interaction with their owners on a chain...

BB

[no1special]

I like the chain set-ups best. My dogs seem to get more space to run around when on the chains rather than in kennel runs.

[INTERNET WARFARE]

I like the chain set-ups best. My dogs seem to get more space to run around when on the chains rather than in kennel runs.
I USE 3/8 ON MOST OF MY DOGS EXCEPT THE 1S THAT ARE ESCAPE ARTIST.I PUT THE OLDER STRONGER DOGS I MAY HUNT WITH ON A 1 INCH LOGGING CHAIN IT KEEPS THEM A LIL STRONGER I THINK AND THEY ARE ABOUT 20 FT LONG.I HAVE KENNELS BUT I JUST HAD A FEMALE (CHINAMAN/WILDSIDE)THAT I JUST BOUGHT JUMP UP AND OVER THE 6 FT KENNELS I HAVE AND SHE WAS GONE.WE FINALLY GOT HER BACK PEACE.......

[no1special]

I USE 3/8 ON MOST OF MY DOGS EXCEPT THE 1S THAT ARE ESCAPE ARTIST.I PUT THE OLDER STRONGER DOGS I MAY HUNT WITH ON A 1 INCH LOGGING CHAIN IT KEEPS THEM A LIL STRONGER I THINK AND THEY ARE ABOUT 20 FT LONG.I HAVE KENNELS BUT I JUST HAD A FEMALE (CHINAMAN/WILDSIDE)THAT I JUST BOUGHT JUMP UP AND OVER THE 6 FT KENNELS I HAVE AND SHE WAS GONE.WE FINALLY GOT HER BACK PEACE.......
I hear ya. The chains that I use for mine are actually tow chains with the hooks cut off. They are pretty heavy chains. One of my dogs has a lock from the chain to his collar cause he's been known to bust the different types of hooks...including the bull snaps.

[3BK]

One thing I noticed that is good when your dog is on a chain... it's easier to keep their weight! That's what I noticed. It keeps'em fit and they get some kind of exercise coz the chain is heavy that's why their muscles are maintained easily. So when you work them pits, they are in better shape than those on cages. Specially those highly active ones on my chain, damn! they got nice lean muscles even if i don't work them everyday. And yes, they do act better and they get more socialization and active time with their owners better!;)

[no1special]

One thing I noticed that is good when your dog is on a chain... it's easier to keep their weight! That's what I noticed. It keeps'em fit and they get some kind of exercise coz the chain is heavy that's why their muscles are maintained easily. So when you work them pits, they are in better shape than those on cages. Specially those highly active ones on my chain, damn! they got nice lean muscles even if i don't work them everyday. And yes, they do act better and they get more socialization and active time with their owners better!;)
Ain't that the truth. My dog that's the house dog is around 15 pounds over weight! My dogs in the yard I've got to constantly adjust their food cause there's some days when they look WAY UNDER weight. (I've got 4 dogs total...2 fixed and 2 not).

[BigTex]

JMO....but i cant see ANY REASON at all to use a chain bigger than 3/8"....maybe some of you dont really know how big the chains are and are guessing or what??.....but a 1" chain is HUGE....and would do more damage to your dogs joints and bones than it would help....5/16" is fine....i got 1 3/8" chain and its really a little bit 2 big...if your worried about your dogs breaking the chains....then buy the high grade high test chain....it will last 5x longer than regular galvanized and is far less likely to break.....sure its more expensive in the short run......but over the years it will save you alot of time and money and maybe even a couple dogs....another thing......on prospects and adults for your own sake....stay away from ALL snaps....they just aint meant to hold a grown bulldog....pups sure they are ok.....but grown dogs need a solid one piece swivel and heavy duty quicklinks tightened with pliers or a 3/8"+ coldshut.....alot of people say they have seen them pull loose....well if you do it right.....and beat it through and then mushroom the head out.....theres no possible way it will be pulled loose.....your chain will break or your axle will come up first.....i have all high test heat tempered chains, buried axels, 7/16" coldshuts, 3/8 one piece swivels and 2 2 1/2" stainless steel o-rings ran through the collar.....and i still check all the chains every couple weeks......better safe than sorry.....and i would rather spend an extra $10 and get good quality materials than take a chance of loosing a couple $1,000+ dogs

[BigTex]

oh yeah.....kennels serve a purpse also......i got 2 of them...i got 7 chains and 2 kennels.....my healthy dogs that are old enough go on a chain.....and sick dogs, hurt dogs, and bitches in heat go in a kennel.....

[GYD]

You have to also think, some dogs won't do well in a kennel. Have a bitch who would do everything in her will to get out, and that's stressful on her and myself! She does great on the chain, she doesn't feel "enclosed", she has more room and she gets lot's of attention and excersise!

I myself only keep pups and/or young dogs in the kennel, and that's it.

Helps me sleep at night knowing my dogs are secure and safe! Just my thoughts anyways.

[PADogman]

When is good a time to start a dog out on the chain.If you start them out to early will that lead to hip problems later on.

[Bubba]

When is good a time to start a dog out on the chain.If you start them out to early will that lead to hip problems later on.I put them on chains when they just can't stay in a kennel with their littermates any longer...and that will differ from litter to litter...
I have had them on light chains as early as 10wks old cause they would tear into there bro/sis...and I haven't seen any damage...make sure you use a light chain for a puppy.
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[Bubba]

I hear ya. The chains that I use for mine are actually tow chains with the hooks cut off. They are pretty heavy chains. One of my dogs has a lock from the chain to his collar cause he's been known to bust the different types of hooks...including the bull snaps.I know this has already been said...but NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER use bullsnaps!!! Even on pups...
I had one chain with a bullsnap on my yard, and my and a buddy were just talking about how I had been lazy and not changed it...well...the next morning when I went out to feed guess what, the little bitch that was on that chain busted off....luckily, she is ok, but it coulda been a whole lot worse and lost me a one of a kind bitch.
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[no1special]

I know this has already been said...but NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER use bullsnaps!!! Even on pups...
I had one chain with a bullsnap on my yard, and my and a buddy were just talking about how I had been lazy and not changed it...well...the next morning when I went out to feed guess what, the little bitch that was on that chain busted off....luckily, she is ok, but it coulda been a whole lot worse and lost me a one of a kind bitch.
BB
Ooo...that's scary. Thanks for the warning!!

[GYD]

Yeah, we haven't set a "age" for when we change them over. We always use real light chains for pups, not only for the joint issue but because they are just getting use to the chain set-up. Think probably the youngest we have put one out there was about 12 wks and that was because she was getting beside herself in the kennel all alone. When we put her on the chain she was in heaven, as she was right next to the big dogs. She hated the kennel even as a pup! LOL

[BDK]

i use bullsnaps on my dogs with no problem to date they last a long time and hold up very well but dif people have dif thoughts on the subject to each their own

[Bubba]

i use bullsnaps on my dogs with no problem to date they last a long time and hold up very well but dif people have dif thoughts on the subject to each their ownThe bullsnaps I have used, were SUPPOSEDLY good quality...NEVER again will I ever use a bullsnap, nor will I ever recommend a bullsnap. About 2.5yrs ago I had a bitch get off and get into a male on my yard, he killed her. Just this past weekend, I had one dog, a small bitch about 25lbs and about 11mos old get off...luckily I got her before she could get hurt. Both instances, the same thing happened, the swivel end of the bullsnap broke. NEVER EVER again...
BB

[BigTex]

ya know BBK some people are just to stubborn to listen....smart people learn from their mistakes....really smart people learn from other mistakes....boondock....when i first started getting dogs i used a couple "high quality" bullsnaps and they wore out twice as fast as any one piece swivel i have used....and were NOT as strong and secure as the swivels from the get go....better safe than sorry.....i recognized those bullsnaps for what they were early on(accidents waiting to happen).....and switched over to a very safe and long lasting setup....unless you got good dogs to waste and money to throw away.....i reccomend you do the same.....and while i havent had dogs for a LONG time i havent had a kennel accident yet

[Bubba]

ya know BBK some people are just to stubborn to listen....smart people learn from their mistakes....really smart people learn from other mistakes....boondock....when i first started getting dogs i used a couple "high quality" bullsnaps and they wore out twice as fast as any one piece swivel i have used....and were NOT as strong and secure as the swivels from the get go....better safe than sorry.....i recognized those bullsnaps for what they were early on(accidents waiting to happen).....and switched over to a very safe and long lasting setup....unless you got good dogs to waste and money to throw away.....i reccomend you do the same.....and while i havent had dogs for a LONG time i havent had a kennel accident yetYou know the saying, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make em drink lol.
Bullsnaps may be working now...but please believe, they are pieces of shit lol. I know I don't plan on losing another dog to a accident because I was too stubborn to switch out them bull snaps, thank God I don't have any more thats for sure...
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[MMK]

i use bullsnaps on my dogs with no problem to date they last a long time and hold up very well but dif people have dif thoughts on the subject to each their own
one problem with snaps i noticed is that the springs that keep the snap closed will rust and break and no longer keep closed and u will have a loose dog. the best thing is 2-2 1/2 stainless welded orings with the collar fed through the oring.
MMK

[J M A N]

I prefer chains because the dogs can work themselves on it. I have chains and kennels but prefer the chains because a dog won't put on weight the way they will in a kennel. Also with kennels, you almost always have to have a cover of somesort to prevent a jumper. Use what your space will allow.

[korrey]

Where is a good place to get the orings, swivels and coldshuts??? Is all this available at Home depot or Menards?? Excuse the newbie question, but I want to do it right the first time. Thanks

[young pit man]

i go to a feed store here witch is were i get my chain set ups they cost me around 15.00 a set up but it is no better way to keep your pit safe i keep all my dogs on chains and if you have a good blood line you dont wont to losse money

[Marty]

i go to a feed store here witch is were i get my chain set ups they cost me around 15.00 a set up but it is no better way to keep your pit safe i keep all my dogs on chains and if you have a good blood line you dont wont to losse moneyHere is the best setup for your dogs safety, that we have been able to come up with.
The collar should be 2in and heavyduty ;)

[SFK]

Hey Marty, what are ya'll using for the axel ring. It looks like a weight donut for a baseball bat.

[Marty]

Hey Marty, what are ya'll using for the axel ring. It looks like a weight donut for a baseball bat.It is a 3/4 weldless ring, we found the chain will wear out if its wraped around the axel with a lap link. ;)