Its purpose was to anchor the warrior in place when a last-ditch defence was called for, thus indicating an intention not to retreat even against overwhelming odds.
The leather of the rope was decorated with feathers and porcupine quills dyed bright colours.
Beadwork, although a common Native American form of decoration, was never used on dog ropes.
A warrior might also declare in advance, in order to demonstrate his bravery, that in the next battle he would use his dog rope regardless of the necessity.
When required, the dog rope warriors would insert their picket pins into the ground.
Once inserted, the warrior was obliged to restrict his movements to the distance allowed by the length of the dog rope and fight and die on that spot.
When no one showed interest in joining this proposed new society, he caused all the dogs to disappear, then all the buffalo, then himself.
Some warriors reported seeing a vision of Dog Soldiers at the man's camp but they were gone when they returned with their friends.
One of the newly enrolled Dog Soldiers, Crooked Neck, was criticised by his mother, Dying Woman, for being badly painted.
An owner of a dog rope could pass it on to a younger warrior, chosen by the society chiefs, but payment was expected.
He who wished to receive a dog rope piled up goods until the owner considered the payment to be sufficient.
Dancing then commenced to celebrate, starting with the seller leading the purchaser by the dog rope.
Although he never dismounted to use his dog rope, he made such an impression on the Cheyennes that they were still telling the story of his bravery at meetings into the 20th century.