Whether you live in the middle of a metropolis, or way back in the boonies, if you have dogs then you need to have some way to restrict their access to the outside world.
Though this may conjure up Orwellian images for some, the simple fact is that domesticated dogs are not well-equipped to face the dangers of the world at large.
Whether those dangers are angry human neighbors, traffic, chemical puddles in the street, or more natural threats such as bears, mountain lions, or rabid raccoons, a dog left to roam free is in serious danger.
Most pet owners choose one of several options to confine their dogs, but not all methods are equal.
One of the most common ways to contain a dog is with the use of a chain, attached from the dog's collar to an immovable object such as a tree.
This is a poor choice, for a variety of reasons.
The dog is not protected from outside threats, whether predators, the taunts of passing children, or severe weather conditions.
Also, if the dog is able to circle the object to which he is tethered, the chain will wrap around it, becoming progressively shorter.
Few dogs have the intelligence to unwind themselves, and this poses dangers far beyond mere discomfort.
A dog who has wrapped himself up in this manner may become unable to reach his food or water, or become trapped in a patch of intense sunlight.
Together, this is a recipe for a tragic case of heat stroke.
Even if plenty of shade is available when the dog is initially chained up, as the sun moves overhead, that may no longer be the case.
Other owners tether their dogs on a short line that hangs from a longer line suspended above the ground.
This avoids the problem of wrapping, and allows the dog more freedom of movement.
Still, the animal remains exposed and possibly threatened.
But, in most cases, a simple fenced yard is not sufficient to contain a dog that wants to get out.
The well-known digging abilities of dogs make fenced yards a mere inconvenience to escape from.
Dog crates are a popular alternative to these methods, especially for dogs that live in apartments or houses without yards.
Dog crates have a number of advantages over methods.
They are useful as a housebreaking aid, and ensure that the dog is completely protected from harassment by other creatures.
Almost as importantly, they protect the owner's property from any mischief the dog might otherwise get up to.
However, crates can be abused.
The so-called "den instinct" that many dog crate users refer to is, in fact, a myth, and dogs crated for more than 8 hours at a time suffer from isolation, boredom, and lack of exercise.
A crate should be more like a private bedroom than a prison cell- a place to go to for relaxation and privacy, not a permanent enclosure.
At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember about confining your dog is not to do so more than is necessary.
If you know that you will be home infrequently, and that your dog will spend most of his time alone and confined, then a dog may not be the right pet for you.
These are active, social, and intelligent animals that require interaction and exercise.
If you cannot provide both of these things in large quantities, we recommend you look into a pet snake, or a stylish pet rock.