Can you install a doggie door? Since you have a fence, you could put a doggie door into the laundry room or kitchen where there is no carpet for dirty feet.

We have a doggie door for our 40 lb mutt and we love it. (Medium sized door is fine for a 40 lb'er. Larger dogs can go through it, but not as fast.) I wouldn't have a dog unless he could come and go as he pleases.

Despite what people fear about squirrels, etc., coming in the house, it has never happened in 7 years. Some people don't want their cats outside, but I don't mind it. I think my cats are safer because they know they can come in the house whenever they are scared. In this case, my entire house is fenced in all the way around, but I've had houses with a doggie door + large pen and doggie door + fenced back yard.

My dog has a job because of the doggie door. He keeps people from coming in the gate when we're not home. He hears the gate from his position on the couch all day and runs out the doggie door and surprises a lot of people. (I have a beware of dog sign.) I really like that he can do that.

The only downsides are that my cats have occasionally brought in birds, and then there's the muddy feet. I put a gate across the kitchen when it's really wet. They can still get to their food/water and come in to be cooled off or warm up.

I'd get your little pooch a doggie door if I were you. Anyone with basic carpentry skills can install one (mine's not in the door, but in the wall beside the door, which we feel is better).

Karen