For the first three years of Hannah's life I took her out on a 15 - 20 foot leash to take care of her business. Morning, noon and night, any time she had to go, I was out there with her. For exercise I would put her on a 30' leash and let it drag on the ground. She could run after her kong and play just like she were free. If she started to go for the lot line, I was after her like a shot. With the line dragging on the ground, all I would have to do was to step on it to stop her. If she did manage to get out of the yard, I could get her before she got too far. No, it wasn't easy, no it wasn't ideal and I got more than one rope burn on my legs (which became infected) because I didn't jump out of the way of the dragging leash which would catch me as Hannah tore after her kong. Eventually we did get our yard fenced in and it has been the best money we ever spent, keeping other dogs out as well as keeping our dogs in. But in the process of taking Hannah out, it opened me up to the enjoyment of being outside in all kinds of weather and all times of the day. The routine of going out with my dog early in the morning and late at night turned out to be rather enjoyable instead of just a chore.