Scott,
Where are your parents living right now? I think you said they sold the place in Chicago and are on the lake?
I cheated this morning. The dog needed to go potty and I stayed inside. (It's been so dry in the house even with the fish tank she's been drinking a lot of water.) She didn't go far or was out there very long. She kept looking back at me as if she was afraid I was going to leave her out there.
Even a spitzbreed dog has its limitations!