[MyFairLacy]

I keep seeing breeders and rescues always mention a fenced-in yard. I do have a VERY small backyard (I live in a townhouse) that is fenced in and lined with bricks. Lacy hardly ever goes out there and neither do I unless I'm grilling something...I mostly put those bricks in in case she accidentally ran out the back door (which she always tries to do) so she couldn't get out of the fence. But she's NEVER EVER allowed out there unless I'm standing out there with her. She wouldn't potty out there anyway since the yard is too small. I always put her harness & leash on her and walk her around my complex in the grassy areas to potty.

I understand asking if someone has a fenced in yard or not but isn't it safer to walk a dog on a harness and leash than to let it go out in a fenced-in backyard unattended? I've seen a lot of stories about dogs getting stolen out of their backyard or getting out somehow. Even if the owner is out there with the dog, what if part of the fence is damaged that has gone unnoticed or an animal dug underneath the fence leaving room for the dog to escape? What if something toxic was thrown into the yard and the dog goes over to it. With my dog being on a leash, she's never 4 feet away from me.

So why is it that some breeders and rescues will not sell to a family just because they don't have a fenced-in backyard? As long as the owner is responsible and states that they always take their dogs out on a harness and leash, isn't that good enough? I think I'm one of the most responsible dog owners I know & my dog is treated like royalty...so it doesn't seem right that I would be denied because I don't take my dog out in a fenced-in backyard.