BigGameHoundsmen.com

has any one ever used a cable run/trolley vs a kennel witch is better

In the past I have had small kennels with concrete floors for long term confinement due to lack of space and a need for limited odors. I never really prefered it, but that was what was needed at the time and it works.
I have staked a lot of dogs out and I like a cable run a lot better than just a chain. I have pieces of cable about 100 plus feet long with driven stakes at both ends. And then a 10 to 15 foot chain that slides on it. Works great, make sure to have at least two swivels in the chain.
Now I have a larger pen for all the dogs which I like the best, kennels with concrete floors for putting pups, sick dogs, dogs in heat, etc into for shorter durations. And I have a couple of cable runs staked out that I use occasionally. All young dogs spend some time on them as a dog needs to be chain broke. Good place to put a strange or extra dog that is on the place. Or to put a male dog when all the females in the pen are in heat.
They all work, and each works very well for specific occasions.
Pat

We use the cable system. Dogs can run them and it works great until the dog breaks/wears out a cable/chain connector. Most dogs will get used to doing their buisness at the opposite end of their food bowl and thats a plus. But it also takes up a good bit of room.

do you have a picture of your cable run

We use both. At night they are in the kennel. During the day, and for feeding they are out on the runs. I do not use the store bought ones though. I buy a roll of 5/16 coated cable. My local hardware store has 250' spools for about $40. It is a must to use 2 swivels. One at the top of the lead, and one down by the snap. After learning the hard way. I always use the cable loops. To prevent the cable from kinking at the snap or link. I do not use any pulleys either. I just use a removable link. These will slide just fine on the cable. I will always place them so the nut is up. So gravity will help keep it in place. A drop of loctite as well. Double cable locks when going around the tree. Then a single a few feet away with a large fender washer in front. For a stop of the link. Sounds complicated so will get a few pics today for you. In the end what I build is cheaper then the store bought ones, and you can make them the size you want. No need to put a hook or eye bolt in the tree either. If it were not for all the critters in my area would keep them on them all the time. Just never know when a bear, or something might come strolling through at night here.

All my dogs are on cable. I have had them on chain,in kennel's, and concrete pads, and i like this set up the best. In the picture the dogs chain is on a pulley on a cable. This allows them to run around a bit. The white cord that you see is electric cattle fencer. Hanging from that is the electric cord and wrapped in chicken wire is deer scent. I do this right away as a pup. They hang down from all my runs. I hardly ever have to brake my young dogs off deer.

Man I wish I had trees at the house, id do something like that for my males....

I don't have trees for my dogs I use stakes. I make my own cables and buy heavy duty snaps and pulleys. It works ok but the pulleys ware out quicker with the dirt and grass.

Here are the pics of how I build them.

Slide end of lead. Normally use larger washers but was out on building this one.



Dog end of lead



Tree end of run



Just a pic of one of the runs. You can actually see 2 in the pic. I have 12 of these set up




If you are worried about damage to the trees from the cable. Just put a piece of garden hose on the cable. If you do not have any trees. I have built several for customers using 4x4's planted 3ft in the ground. I do not like them on the ground because of the amount of snow we get. Not only that it becomes a trip hazard when feeding, and cleaning the area.