I was wondering though. Is it so bad to keep a dog in a mudroom during the day when you're not home? I know that people crate their dogs. I didn't see any real difference, save for a larger area. I am only talking about fully housebroken dogs. Since I know that the reason many won't "go" in their crates, is b/c they don't want to soil their small den area. I figured that, the mudroom being a safe, comfortable and warm/cool area. Normally he would be kept in the outdoor run that's fenced-in with shelter access. And when I am home, he'd be with me in the house