Some Chi's are pretty small, only weigh 2 or 3 pounds, but I think the owner needs to take a bit of responsibility for this. I go out with my little dog to make sure no predators get her. Out here there are birds of prey, coyote, bobcat, mountain lion, raccoon. All of those could hurt or kill a small dog. I don't take the risk. She has a small enclosed (on all sides) yard she can go out doggie door to go to the bathroom. I reccomend that kind of set up to anyone with small dogs. It's just a dog kennel along the side of the house with a corrugated metal roof.