Tethering as a primary means of confining a dog is widely considered both inhumane and a public health risk, from agencies ranging from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the Humane Society of the United States.

When constantly connected to a rope or chain, a collar can injure a dog's neck. Tethering also forces a dog to eat, sleep and eliminate waste in a single confined area and adversely affects its disposition and socialization, often turning a friendly dog into an aggressive one.