if there really are coyotes in your area, i guess in effect your subdivision also has an unwritten 'no small dogs' policy as well.

Or cats!

Keep them inside except for walks on a leash

Small dogs are not safe outside alone with coyotes or Hawks. We are out in the country and I don't let my 100 lb dog out alone if the coyotes have been seen around as they travel in packs. We also have foxes...when the coyote population increases, there's less foxes. You do the math. Keep your small dogs on a leash.

yep seen vultures circle over my 50 lb up here too. i found just being out back with them did the trick. i can't imagine wanting to have a firepit in my doggie walk area either?

The dogs would NEVER be outside unattended no matter what. I just want some relaxed space that I can safely sit with them and enjoy some coffee or iced tea without having to leash them next to me. Also, in the frigid weather, I'd prefer to safely let them out while I stand by the door and wait for them. In our current home (we move in a month) we have a wonderful fenced in and safe yard and I still never leave the chihuahua alone for paranoid fears of possible random hawk. This new house will have an acre of land and I will miss my average sized, private, fenced in yard where I sit with my dogs outside all the time. :'(

Can you have a catio there?

My guess would be no as for the catio, though not 100% sure.

Not sure if you agree on an invisible fence around roofed pergola - which would work for the dogs re; hawks during the day, but I haven't read up about its safety. The attached article has some helpful general information around safety. Another idea, is if you are allowed a dog run and it will protect them from coyotes and hawks when you aren't outside with them.

http://birding.about.com/od/birdingbasics/a/Protect-Pets-From-Birds-Of-Prey.htm

If you can there are many great ideas to hang with your fur babies. Also screened in so less bugs and great even without the dogs.

i don't get how shocking the pups keeps the vultures out? I had an australian sheepdog, theodore, and he learned, that you only get shocked once, and then you are out.i tried out the shock collar and found it painful to the point of barbarism. Yeah, i am thinking you have to do like a chicken enclosure or a dog run to make it work.

And the electric fence keeps your pet inside the area, but doesn't keep the coyotes out.

Do you have a deck with space under? My husband made our cat the most wonderful spot. He fenced it all in (but not before he hauled in a beautiful white birch that had fallen in a storm so she could climb and scratch), made her a litter box (with sand from Toys R Us...can't have kitty peeing in dirty sand) and her access was a pet door in the basement window. Space was 12 x 18. Not bad for a rescue cat?

The collar is used during the day so that the dogs can remain with the owners within the roofed boundary and not have to go into a caged area, but since it sounds like it's not humane, what about a large enclosed deck with a roof, awning or pergola. his way, you and your pets can be in the same area, which is what I think you are aiming for.

I do like the awning/pergola idea a lot, it's what I'm trying to figure out design-wise I suppose. Dog runs are not allowed and I don't have a raised deck for space underneath unfortunately. I definitely don't want to go the route of electric collar because of trauma to a small dog's psyche and also the threat of invading animals penetrating that area. So now I'm on the hunt for attractive, yet not insanely pricey, family area to be shared with our dogs--something with pergola, trellis, tall plants possibly to block any gate look if need be. The trick is to find ideas that incorporate some grassy area that's covered instead of exclusively non-grass flooring. I lack design/landscaping/architectural skills.

I wouldn't mind hanging out with by buddies right here.

Are you allowed stone walls, raised planting or garden beds, trellises, living plant walls, hedges,...? Would you share a photo of the area you would use?

Yes, here is a photo. Thanks for any ideas!

We use a pole in the ground with a long 70' plastic covered chain attached. Our dog does not go out unless we are out. She is an 80 pound Shepherd. We have coyotes, hawks, etc.

I personally do not think it is a good idea or a safe idea to let dogs out without supervision. Kind of like letting a toddler out without supervision. It might be okay, but you never know.

Our neighbors let their dogs run in their fenced yard and they bark at me constantly whenever I am in my backyard. Annoys the heck out of me. And upsets my dog to no end.

you could build a low brick wall and then use a screen enclosure attached? kind of like a little puppy run?