[aigel]

A kennel and / or a safe dog run may save your dog's life. Not every blockage can be surgically removed, sometimes they die on the table! Why don't you build a dog run? Sounds like your BJ is big enough to have a paved or concrete run. You can still enjoy the back yard when actively playing / supervising. Also, it can be inside the house where there aren't any rocks. Just make it a point to get the dog a couple hours playtime / walks / runs off leash every day and it will be fine. It will get you and your family out and if you have older kids, they will love going on a neighborhood walk by themselves.

My dogs are kenneled / in the dog run a lot if they aren't in the house. If I'd leave them in the back yard, it would be plowed in a few days just from running around and wrestling. I find that having your dog in the kennel actually focuses them more on you when they are with you. They are more receptive to training and following commands.

Just my two cents.

G