We love our dogs and want to do everything with them, but often our pups don’t have enough self-control to stay safe unless they are on a leash. If you are going camping, on an extended outing, or if you just want to enjoy being outside but don’t have a fenced yard, a tie out system may be the best option for you so that your dog can have some freedom.
| Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|
Winner
| Aspen Petmate Easyturn Stake
| |
Best On A Budget
| Camco Spiral Anchor
| |
Best For Strong Pullers
| Boss Pet Prestige Dome Stake
| |
Best Semi Permanent Solution
| SUREswivel 360 Degree
|
Tie out stakes should never be used without supervision and always in conjunction with a back clip harness. When used properly, they can give your dog the freedom to enjoy the outdoors safely and burn off some energy without needing your participation.
Product Reviews
What Makes A Good Tie Out Stake
There is a good range of tie out stakes on the market, each with its own advantages, disadvantages, and best uses. Here are some things to keep in mind while you are shopping.
Includes cable
If you are buying a tie out stake, you will also need a cable. Ropes and chains can become tangled, frayed, or broken. For this reason, it is best to invest in a high-quality cable that is both chewproof and won’t get tangled easily.
Buying a tie out stake with the cable included can save you money and also ensure that the stake and cable work properly together.
Tangle-free
A tangled cable can reduce the distance that your dog has to run or it can even pull the stake out of the ground. Choose a tie out stake with an attachment point that allows for a 360-degree swivel, in order to avoid tangles.
Stays in the ground
A tie out stake that won’t stay in the ground is extremely dangerous. If you are trusting the stake to hold your dog in case of potential danger to your dog or others, a stake that comes out puts your dog and other people in jeopardy. Choose a stake that has been proven to hold up against the size and strength of your dog.
Does not bend
Stakes that bend may not come out of the ground but will not allow for proper swivel and will be much harder to put in the ground next time. If the stake is not properly sunk into the soil, it should not come as a surprise if it bends. It is essential to always sink your stake thoroughly, all the way into the ground.
Weight tested
While a dog’s weight is not the perfect indication of how hard she will pull, it can give you a very good idea of what strength of tie out stake you need. If you know that your dog is an especially strong or powerful puller for her size, keep that in mind when you are choosing the right tie out stake for your dog.
Some tie out stakes have been tested by the company and have a recommended weight limit, while others do not. If you have a larger or more powerful dog, only choose stakes that have been tested by the company for your dog’s size or strength.
Portability
You may have a permanent stake or trolley system set up at home if you don’t have a fenced yard, but if you would also like to travel with your dog to go on camping trips or outings, you may want a tie out stake that is more portable.
A highly portable tie out stake can keep your dog safe at the beach, on camping trips, or at picnics. You can keep a stake in your vehicle so that your dog can have some freedom anytime you need it. Choose stakes that are 12-inches long or shorter, for the best portability.
Product Reviews
#1 Aspen Petmate Easyturn Stake:
Best For Large Dogs On The Go
- Includes Cable: Yes
- Weight Limit: 100 pounds
- Length/Height: 20-foot cable, 18 inch stake
- Chew Proof: Yes
- Anti-Tangle Swivel: Yes
- Material: Galvanized steel coated with crack-resistant polyvinyl
- Portable: Yes
PROS:
- Padded wide grip handle
- Stake and tie out cable included
- Strong enough for dogs up to 100 pounds, but very light and comfortable
- Strong galvanized steel with a weather-resistant poly-vinyl coating
- Sturdy stake holds up in any sort of soil
CONS:
- Stake may be bent by very strong dogs
- Takes some effort to screw into hard or frozen ground
This convenient and lightweight tie out comes with the stake and the cable, so you have everything you need to tie your dog out safely. The padded wide grip handle makes it easy for you to anchor the stake deep into the ground. The bright color of the handle also makes the stake stand out, so no one will trip over it.
This sturdy stake and cable can safely hold dogs up to 100 pounds. Twenty feet of tie out cable is plenty of room for your dog to explore without getting into trouble. The galvanized steel cable with weather resistant poly-vinyl coating can hold up to wear and tear through the years, as well as resisting attempts by your dog to chew it.
The sturdy stake can hold up to pressure from any direction, in any kind of soil. You can take this stake with you on any camping trip and feel confident that you won’t have to worry about finding the right kind of soil to anchor your dog.
If you’d like, you can also clip the cable to another sturdy structure. The 360-degree swivel ring allows your dog to roam freely without ever becoming tangled.
#2 Camco Spiral Anchor:
Best Budget Option
- Includes Cable: No
- Weight Limit: Around 25 pounds
- Height/ Length: 12 inches
- Chew Proof: Yes
- Anti-Tangle: Yes
- Material: Solid steel
- Portable: Yes
PROS:
- Very affordable
- Discrete and easily transportable
- Solid steel construction
- 360-degree swivel ring to attach to tie out cable
CONS:
- Some people received a gold-colored stake, rather than the chrome pictured
- Small arrowhead handle is easy to trip over
This affordable stake is discrete but sturdy, great for whatever leash you want to use. The arrowhead design makes it easy to screw into the ground so that it remains firmly anchored, no matter which direction your dog pulls.
A 360-degree swivel ring can be attached to any leash or tie out cable and will prevent your dog from getting herself tangled. This light 12-inch stake is perfect for camping or hiking with your dog. It is portable enough that you can take it anywhere, stretching the opportunities for where you go with your dog. Solid steel construction is sure to last through years of abuse and hold up to some chewing by your dog.
#3 Intellileash Intelli-Stayk:
Best For Medium Sized Dogs
- Includes Cable: No
- Weight Limit: Up to 20 pounds
- Length/Height: 13”
- Chew Proof: No
- Anti-Tangle: Yes
- Material: Solid chrome plated steel and plastic
- Portable: Yes
PROS:
- Rust resistant
- Clip cable onto stake or ring
- Easy to anchor
- Resists being pulled out due to side-to-side motion
- 10-mm, solid, chrome-plated steel
CONS:
- The surface lock portion can be chewed
- Some people have trouble screwing it in
This innovative tie out stake is designed in a new way to eliminate the possibility of dogs pulling it out of the ground, no matter how hard they try. The secure surface lock stops any side-to-side movement, so that your dog will not be able to work herself free, resulting in super strong holding strength.
The raised platform onto which you clip your dog’s tie out cable resists tangling and stops the swivel from breaking, like other types of stakes might. The 2/5 inch, solid, chrome-plated steel will hold up to a lot of abuse from your dog.
Larger dogs can be hooked directly to the shaft under the easy twist handle, while a ring is available for hooking smaller dogs. This rust-resistant stake will hold up to years of abuse without breaking. The shaft is small enough to fit into the glove compartment of your car and is convenient to take with you on any camping trip or outing.
#4 Boss Pet Prestige Dome Stake:
Best For Large/Powerful Dogs
- Includes Cable: No
- Weight Limit: 125 pounds
- Length/Height: 21” into the ground
- Chew Proof: Yes
- Anti-Tangle: Yes
- Material: Solid forged steel
- Portable: Nearly two feet long, so less portable than others
PROS:
- Sturdy stake holds a lot of weight, thanks to the solid steel construction and 21-inch depth
- Bright yellow or orange color is easy to spot
- No handle to trip over
- Easy to install with a mallet
CONS:
- May be difficult to install and remove in hard ground
- May bend if not installed far enough into the ground
This convenient tie out stake is easy to secure in the ground, thanks to the straightforward ground piercing design. If you are sick of screwing stakes into the ground and would prefer to slam in your stake with a mallet, this is the choice for you.
This tie out stake is made from a single piece of solid, forged, heavy-duty steel, so you know it won’t bend or break.
The metal loop for hooking your leash is secured by a forged steel cap and allows for 360 degrees of movement. This stake comes in a bright yellow or orange color, which is easy to spot in the ground, making it less likely that you will stub your toe on it. Furthermore, because it does not have a handle, you are less likely to hook your foot in it and trip.
#5 SUREswivel 360 Degree:
Best Permanent/Semi-Permanent Installation
- Includes Cable: No
- Weight Limit: Holds up to 1000 lbs of pull force
- Length/Height: 3-inches high
- Chew Proof: Domed surface resists chewing, but plastic could be chewed
- Anti-Tangle: Yes, even with multiple dogs
- Material: Plastic and metal
- Portable: Yes
PROS:
- Holds up to 1000 pounds of force
- Easy to install with a standard hammer in any kind of ground
- Option to permanently install if desired
- 360-degree swivel that resists tangling, even with multiple dogs
- Small enough to be easy to transport
CONS:
- More likely to be pulled out of the wet ground, especially when pulled abruptly
- Requires a hammer to install
This stake has a clever design to keep your dog from being tangled or pulling out the stake, no matter how hard she pulls, how big she is, or how clever she is when pulling from different directions to dislodge a standard stake.
This stake is so secure because it utilizes six separate bolts to anchor the stake securely and deeply into the ground. The smoothly rounded hub sits flush against the ground and is unlikely to cause any trouble if you step on it.
The 360-degree swiveling hook rotates in the hub so that it will not be hung up on anything, even if your dog pulls erratically. You can even tether multiple dogs at once without worrying that they will become tangled.
This stake can also be attached to your truck bed or permanently installed in decking or another permanent structure in places where the ground is not suitable or where you would like a permanent tie out.
Considering how secure this stake is, it is surprisingly easy to remove. Simply wedge your hammer’s hook under the base and pull up gently. Once the hub is free, you will be able to pull each individual bolt up easily, making this a much easier stake to pull up than the kind that relies on a single, deeply-anchored stake.
Dog Tie Out Safety
A tie out for your dog can provide a lot more freedom and allow you to do more things with your dog than you otherwise would be able to. That said, dog tie out stakes come with dangers, as well. It is essential to be aware of the potential dangers of a dog tie out stake, so that you can keep your dog safe.
Getting tangled
Even if you are using a tie out with 360-degree rotation and a cable that will not kink, like chain does, it is still possible for your dog to become tangled. Your dog may get the cable wrapped around an obstacle that you are not even aware of, like a tree root. If your dog is trapped on an increasingly shorter line, she may panic and strangle herself.
Your dog may also get the cord wrapped around a paw or other body part. If your dog suddenly runs and tightens the cord, the body part that is wrapped may become injured. Your dog may also panic and get herself wrapped up further, causing injuries to limbs or strangulation.
If you have more than one dog tied out together, it is possible for the dogs to become tangled together and begin to fight each other.
Injury due to a sudden stop
If your dog runs to the end of the cable and stops abruptly, she can be severely injured. This is why dogs should always be tied out on a harness with a martingale collar. The harness provides a safe stopping grip on your dog and the martingale ensures that your dog can’t squeeze out of the harness.
Even if you are supervising your dog, you won’t be able to stop her from hitting the end of the line if she sees something she wants to chase. Small dogs or those with longer backs are especially susceptible to back and neck injury due to stopping abruptly, but any dog can be injured by hitting the end of the cable.
Using a cable that has a section of bungee cord can prevent your dog from hitting the full force of the cable.
Being stuck in the sun
Dogs can fall victim to heat stroke much quicker than you might imagine. Dogs can also be pretty bad at determining when they are getting too hot. They will keep playing, even though they are overheating.
It is your responsibility to watch your dog and be aware of how much time she is spending in the sun, especially if she is active. Make sure your dog is drinking plenty of water and make her take a rest in the shade, if she has been playing too hard for too long in the hot sun.
ALWAYS Supervise Your Dog on a Tie Out
Because of these and other risks, it is essential that you always monitor your dog when she is on a tie out. Your dog can fall victim to becoming tangled in the line, get injured by hitting the end of the line, or become overheated incredibly quickly.
Furthermore, your dog is vulnerable to attack by wild animals or other dogs when she is tied out without protection. It is your job to always make sure your best friend is safe when she is tied out.
Finally, dogs are only happy living with people and other animals. Being tied out alone can have severe detrimental psychological effects on your dog, leading to aggression, obsessive behaviors, and other problems.
Trolley System Vs Stake Tie Out
A trolley system is another way to provide your dog with freedom outdoors, while keeping her safe. Trollies work by running a cable from one point to another. Another cable is then connected from your dog’s harness to the trolley. This cable slides freely along the trolley cable, providing your dog with more controlled freedom over a certain area than a stake tie out.
A tie out allows your dog to move in a circle around a center point, where the stake is. A trolley, on the other hand, allows your dog to move a certain designated distance from the entire length of the line.
Trolleys are generally too challenging to set up on the go and may not be necessary when your dog has a large area. They are great for permanent setups at home or in spaces where your dog’s movements need to be limited to a rectangular area.
Trolleys can also be great when you are camping or on outings in which you are in places with lots of trees or obstacles where your dog would be hung up on a typical stake tie out system.