Poor Maggie...I'm sure you know this, but you're extremely lucky she wasn't seriously injured. I'm not upset with you and I hope you don't take this the wrong way but why couldn't the dogs stay inside the house if nobody was home?? In my opinion, it's much safrer for them inside alone than it is outside. My dogs are never out alone when nobody is home. Also, instead of tie-outs, would it be possible for your family to put some sort of fence up just for Maggie and Autumn?