Mowing a bumpy yard is no picnic. Our yard is amazing - I can really cruise over the part of the yard that was graded after the house was built. Here's what we did. We had a uni-loader (bobcat S185) when the house was built and when the time came to plant grass, we graded it the entire yard meticulously (about 3/4 of an acre that he was working). I must say that the loader operator that we had was very good and I really think most of the levelness was due to that. We then rented a soil conditioner attachment for the Bobcat and went over the lawn with that, stirring the soil a couple of inches. Before that, though, we had several dump truck loads of good dirt put on the front yard because we only had terrible, rock-hard clay. The loader spread all the good dirt out evenly. We then went through with garden rakes for a couple hours getting as much gravel out as possible and fine tuning anything that we could. Then we planted - put seed down, dragged a section of chain-link fence over it, rolled it with a small lawn roller (probably 60 gal. or so), but starter fertilizer down, and covered it with straw. And then watered it. :) No easy chore... It turned out amazing. Like I said the yard literally doesn't have any bumps to speak of. If you are planning on renovating completely the homework must be done correctly with the loader - that's the key. As for doing it with an established yard, I've heard that you can get compost and rake it in, but have never tried, and that sounds daunting to me.

I think this poor dog needs some stability, consistency and to be a part of a pack-- if even a pack of one. Clearly he has had a rough life and some bad encounters in the past. He was kept outside on a lead and perhaps/potentially abused. I think a big clue to the need to be a part of a pack is this statement in your first post "When he is at home with me and my three big dogs, he is such a snuggler and he loves to chase my dog who is chasing his ball, barking and herding my dog who is bigger than 5 of Chicos" The pack offers a lot to a dog-- guidelines, rules, protection, warmth, love. A pack is a family. Will you be keeping Chico? If so, the first thing I would do it read about and initiate a NILF program-- nothing in life is free. It begins setting the rules-- and establishes you as the alpha/rule maker/rewarder. This has been very effective in use with rescue dogs. I used a modified version of the program when I adopted my rottweiler as she had NO self control and had never been a house dog. I didnt have too many issues with aggression towards people but I did have issues with an insane food drive, possessive behavior (she thought she "owned" anything she found), pushy behavior especially around being the first to and out the door.. and well you get the picture. She was unruly. I was able to very quickly position myself as the alpha and quickly regain some order to the house. One of the "rules" I implemented remains a loving part of our pattern. I required that she sit still before being given her food dish-- initially, it was a "butt down" and once she was successful with that, I increased the time that she was required to sit before she got a food bowl. Eventually, as I established my role as alpha, she had to sit and wait for a kiss on the nose and the words "bon appetit" before eating. Even today, three years later, she will not eat if I do not kiss her nose and say bon appetit. One day I was soooooooo frustrated with her and I just brushed her nose and walked away (I know, very immature of me) and she sat there just looking at me until I said bon appetit LOL. This is just one example-- she had to learn the rules for going outside, for getting on the chair or sofa, for getting pets ands attention. The program starts requiring the dog to earn freedom to be loose in the house (I did not start here). It is so effective in not only establishing the rules, and you as rule maker-- but it builds TRUST. I think it is clear that Chico has no trust. When he trusts you-- to guide him, love him and protect him, he will then follow your lead in how to deal with strangers or unusual situations. Right now is an overly cautious, reluctant self protector-- take that load of responsibility off of him. There are lots of sites on the internet dealing with NILF. The best ones will focus on the bonding as well as establishing the rules. You may think it sounds extreme to start-- requiring the dog to be leashed to you in the home, for instance-- but it is really just so effective in establishing the trust and bond. People think giving the dog love and attention is what is important-- but that often brings about confusing and inconsistent messages (like unintentionally rewarding barks). Structure is every bit as important as love. You are a kind soul-- I wish you and chico many successes and a much happier home.

Awww, you guys really have my back. It is like knowing I have an invisible army waiting behind me ready to shoot if I falter. Things actually went better than I expected. He does know his stuff. The contractor they originally said they were going with (higher bid) didn't have a clue and that was apparent 10 minutes into our meeting with him. This guy actually does know what he is talking about in terms of old houses and getting the work done. Outsideplaying has it pegged. The other bidders made allowances for what they think will be found and how much it will cost, this guy is counting on the insurer ponying up for unforeseen costs. I will let the insurer know that we expect costs to be covered as they come up - don't care if it's them or him. He is their guy so they are backing him. I just want to take my time and figure out if I can work with him. He seems straight up and honest (for a contractor in the insurance business anyways) and I could see where we will already butt heads on where things should be done and how, but he didn't try to bs me about it - which gives me hope. Sorry for the major hijack - please return to regularly scheduled !@%$#

So glad to know that your exercising may have multiple benefits! I do a lot of yoga and credit it for no injury or fall during the numerous times I’ve twisted or slipped. My only gripe against Danskos that i wear to work is that you can turn your ankle when walking on gravel. Years ago my big ole lab smashed into my leg and broke my tibia. I now keep a sharp eye out for rough-housing dogs and a bend in my knees.