Doesn't Man's Best Friend Deserve More than Life on a Chain?

Installing a Trolley System

Presented by: http://www.unchainyourdog.org/Trolley.htm

A trolley isn't the best solution for helping a chained dog! Please consider building a fence or bringing your dog inside. Dogs need to be able to run free. You wouldn’t want to live on a chain, and neither does your dog!

If your dog is a fence-jumper, there are alternatives to chaining your dog.

However, a trolley/dog run is better than a fixed chain. Your dog will be attached by a leash to a line like a clothesline. The leash is attached to the line by a rolling trolley. The dog can run back and forth the length of the line.

You can buy dog runs from Petsmart, Walmart and other pet and discount stores. Trolley kits include easy instructions. You can also buy the individual parts to a trolley (line, trolley, hooks for the posts/trees) at home improvement stores such as Home Depot or Lowe’s.

The Easiest Method

The easiest way is to run the trolley between two trees. If you don’t have two trees, you can easily sink posts into the ground and run the trolley between the posts. Or you can use a tree and one post.

Important!

Put the trolley in a place where your dog won’t get tangled up or be able to jump a fence.

If your dog jumps over a fence on his leash, he could be hung.

The trolley kit should include "stoppers" you can put anywhere on the line to stop the trolley. If you want the dog to stop four feet from one end of the line, put a stopper four feet from the end of the line. The trolley won’t be able to get past the stopper.

rope clampYou can buy extra stoppers at home improvement stores. Ask for rope clamps. Pick the size that works best for the size of your line. If the clamp is too big, it will slide around.

How to Set a Post

Materials:

* Strong wooden post. The post should be long enough to allow for about 1.5 feet under the ground, and 5-7 feet above ground. Ideally, the post should ne tall enough for someone to walk under the trolley line. The post needs to be several inches thick so it won't snap.

* One 40 lb. bag of concrete mix is plenty for one post. You can use quick-set.

* Stick or dowel.

* Water from a bucket or hose.

* Shovel or post-hole digger.

Instructions:

1. Dig a hole for the post. The post needs to be at least 1 1/2 or two feet underground.

2. Put a few rocks in the bottom of the hole, then set the post in the hole. It’s easiest if you have someone to hold the post in the center of the hole.

3. Pour about one-third of the concrete mix into the hole (pour it around the post). Pour about half a gallon of water into the hole and stir the concrete around with the stick.

4. Keep adding concrete mix and stirring in water in until the hole is filled with the concrete mix. Refer to the directions on the package.

5. Cover the concrete with the dirt from the hole you dug. Pile dirt or rocks around the bottom of the post to keep it in place while the concrete sets.

6. In 24 hours, you post should be set with regular concrete. With quick-set, your post will be ready in an hour.

Be sure the dog's house is placed where the dog can enter with enough leash to turn around inside the house. Do not allow too much leash to where the dog might wrap around the dog house. Also be sure the dog's water and food bowls are placed just where the dog can reach them but not go beyond where the dog might flip them over with the leash.