Well, living on a farm I can tell you some of the things we do:

Our dogs are never, ever tied up, we live about 1/4 mile from the highway.

Our dogs never leave our yard, they are usually in sight unless they are chasing stuff in the woods.

Yes, more than likley they will be sprayed by a skunk , you just have to put up with it, (If you buy "Skunk Off" to wash your dog it helps a lot.)

No, when it rains outside it doesnt zap anything below it, just whatever tuches it.