I don't know what I would do without it... During the day while we humans are awake and can keep a constant watchful eye on head counts, they go and come as they please. And, the only time that I have it closed off is at night - Which during that time they have their own bathroom with access to a pee pad. With the rise is dog thefts, I just don't trust them being totally unsupervised - Even with a six foot privacy fence and chicken wire.