I think it's designed this way on purpose. It IS harder to keep a dog in a city flat than in the countryside. Just ask my Diego Lobo and his 4 pink/black big poodles. Like everything else - even his only child - he might claim they are an art project, but I happen to know that he waste half the day to just bring the dogs outside. And if it's a winter storm they might run inside again without even doing their business... I thin k he has decided to ignore their natural basic needs, except encouraging them to have a baby occasionally, to keep the art thing warm. Anyone looking for a pink poodle? Look no further!