Dogs Deserve Better receives many heartbreaking e-mails about chained dogs, and a neighbor/or concerned citizen would like to know what can be done. How can you rescue this dog?

Each situation is different, and at Dogs Deserve Better we've found that what works in one situation doesn't necessarily work in the next one. To date, we've succeeded in getting over 75 dogs off chains at the main headquarters since Dogs Deserve Better started in August 2002. And we estimate at least 300 other cases of reps and volunteers who've rescued chained dogs in other areas. We are always seeking those willing to foster and train a rescued chained dog, so that they may indeed go to a better life. If you're willing to foster, please visit the adoption page for a foster form.

Before you begin, read Tips from a Successful DDB Rep: How to Rescue a Dog This informative article written by one of DDB's most successful reps, Dawn Ashby, will help you to start your rescue effort off on the right foot.

Our first step is to send the handout letter along with a brochure, which you can get inexpensively from our store. We recommend you wait a couple weeks to see if the letter has worked on it's own. We estimate a success rate with the letter of 5-10%. We also can send the letter from the home office, if you'd prefer, just e-mail the address.

If nothing changes, it's time for further action. This takes a lot of courage! Gather up a folder with any information you can find—the flyer, the handout letter, articles printed from the internet and any brochures you have. Be sure to take a copy of this .pdf action form, which allows them to check off what service you will provide and will protect you and the organization legally. Take someone with you or tell someone where you are going. Inform the caretaker you're a representative of Dogs Deserve Better, and that you'd like to find out how you can help them with their chained dog or penned dog.

Asking them how you can HELP them is important, because it allows them to see you as an ally as opposed to the enemy. This question is also an open-ended one, meaning it doesn't allow for a simple 'no' answer. This then gives you the opportunity to give them the options available to them. These may include: help with housetraining, donating a crate for housetraining, fostering and finding the dog a new home, help with fencing, walking the dog daily, or fostering and housetraining the dog and returning him/her. We also can sometimes work out a deal where we pay to vet and spay/neuter the dog in exchange for them bringing him/her into the house and chaining or penning NO other dogs outside.

We offer funding help for most of these activities, and do so on a case by case basis as funds permit, so don't let a lack of funds stop you from trying to help the dog.

Try to remain as calm as possible, and gently speak from your heart about what you feel a dog needs, and why living chained or penned does not meet these needs. If you are met with aggression or defensiveness, leave the information, and most importantly a contact phone number, and leave the property.

One caretaker was belligerent, but called later when he'd had time to think. We had a good conversation and worked out an agreement. That was a big success! So please leave a number where they can reach you in case they rethink their position.

If you're determined to get the dog off chains or out of the pen no matter what, offering to buy the dog may work in some instances. It's worth a try, although I've heard of a caretaker who turned down an offer of $500. Be patient and "politely persistent" and don't give up. That was how we rescued Bo, the inspiration for Dogs Deserve Better, because Tammy wouldn't give up!

If you're successful, you may need to foster the dog. Fostering is very hard work. Chained dogs in most cases have not been housetrained, so a crate is almost a necessity in order to work with them. They may also have behavioural problems that need to be addressed. See Debby Dobson's article, Rehabilitating Chained or Confined Dogs for some insight into problem areas and how these areas can be worked with.

Being part of Dogs Deserve Better as opposed to 'just' a concerned citizen seems to lend some authority or clout. That's why we'd like to see area reps in all locations! If you need help with a dog, these area reps could go with you to speak to the caretakers. If there are none in your area, become a rep yourself and take a friend with you for safety. You may also identify yourself as working with Dogs Deserve Better, hand out a brochure to give weight to your statement.

If you need other ideas or need some encouragement, join our yahoo discussion group, (it's free!) and tell us your situation. We will all put our heads together to help you.