I have had a family dog ever since I was born. I've been taking care of dogs since I was independent. I volunteered for an animal adoption program for 3 years and was the coordinator for incoming volunteers. My husband and I also fostered during that time. We ended up meeting a wonderful dog and fell in love, obviously becoming our new adopted "child"! We love dogs at my home! Our dog is always begging for play dates and does well with others. My children enjoy going for walks with him and we like to play fetch! We treat him like part of the family and not just a pet. I would treat your dog the same to the extent of snuggling up on the couch with a blanket every night! We never leave our dog outside for more than a couple of hours and never overnight!