The temps range from the teens to the fortys. He has the run of the yard while I feed him and play with him. He chews everything so I put him in his pen during the day and at night when we go to bed. He has chewed parts of my air conditioning unit and water hose. He also digs. So you see I am trying to protect my property and my dog by having him in the pen (8X10). He has toys but seems to chew other things when he gets a chance. The carrier is huge and I made sure the attendant at the pet shop knew the breed of my dog before I bought it. He told me it was plenty big and allowed room for him to move around. I just want to keep him in it at night and when the weather is bad. I guess I will leave him in his pen and on real bad nights bring him in. He doesn't seem to be suffering any because he lives in a pen.

Originally posted by Sudilar:
Please take no offense to my questions. I have asked you some questions in my last post, but you haven't answered them yet. I wanted more info on your situation. It is good that you have a fenced in yard that Presley has access to. Does he have the run of the yard during the day or just his pen? How big is the pen, if he is confined to it? You say he is treated like part of the family? Good. He does need that people contact. Does he stay in his carrier all the time that he is in the house? Is this a carrier or a cage? (what size?)Dals are high energy dogs that need exercise. It is possible that being in your back yard all day will give him exercise. What are the temperature conditions in your area? Where I live, we get below freezing temps. You probably don't. Give us an idea of the temp range. We are trying to help you because we all love animals as you do. Give us some info and we'll try to help.

[This message has been edited by Sudilar (edited December 15, 2000).]