None of my dogs are allowed outside when I am not home. I guess I figure if a kid shouldn't be left out there while I'm not home then the dogs shouldn't either they could both get in a lot of trouble if left unattended. Even though we have a privacy fence I still have to worry about things like hawks and even eagles. I heard a hawk and then heard it get one of the neighbors chickens that hang out in my yard. One lady in the area had to shoot a hawk to keep if from getting her Jack Russell puppy. So I guess even though I'm retired military I still have guard duty…....that's ok I love these dogs!!