[Castlemaid]

I have five acres - surroundings are heavily treed, very private - dog are never out unattended. Ever. People look at me like I'm crazy: "why don't you get an outside kennel and leave your dogs out? Why don't you get an area fenced in for them, with all that property, I would!!! Then the dogs can be outside during the day when you are at work?"

I could, but I won't. As others have said, too much stuff can happen. Bears will climb 6 foot high chain-ling fences to get to garbage or other sources of food. Moose can easily jump over four and five feet high fences. Mosquitoes and biting insects make their ears bloody and their eyes puffy - I see outside only dogs in this area - and they truly suffer from all the mosquitoes!

Plus, my two LOVE each other, and get along famously. But both are strong, confident dogs. The older with an edge of dominance, the younger a working-line with appropriate defensive aggression - what if one day when I'm not there they get in a fight? Dogs that have gotten along great for years can suddenly have a serious disagreement and start a fight. Not risking it. Ever.

Plus, this way I'm outside more, I enjoy winter activities more, and I'm off exploring walking trails and finding new swimming spots more . . . and the dogs get more involvement from me.

Better than a fenced yard!