Do you have to have a fenced in back yard to adopt a dog? Or does a chain work for when just letting them out to do their business..

No you don't have to have a fence. My husband and I adopted a dog and we do not have a fence. We however take him on lots of walks and are currently working on off the leash training with him so we can take him to the dog park.

If you aren't taking the dog to the dog park or have a place for it to run and play that's big enough for a full run, you will need to take it on long walks or jog with it. A dog which isn't exercised properly with energy will be a problem child. If you don't have the ability to do any of these things, please consider adopting a low energy dog, or smaller dog that can play indoors. Or an older dog. Many dogs do very well with daily walks and tie outs for potty. I wouldn't do a chain, it tears up the grass and hurts like heck on the ankles.

You don't need a fenced yard.