the birds live in the aviary all year round,i just renew the conifers twice a year,it was -14 at xmas an i didnt lose a one,theyre hardy little feckers,you can go in the aviary in the morning at -10 an break the ice on their water dish an as soon as its broke theyre in it avin a bath as for the dogs,no probs mate,they soon get used,last year my bullx was asleep in the sun lay against the aviary and my goldie hen was pulling hair off her for nesting