Small dogs are a big item right now. I have a lhasa mix and in GA I didn't mind leaving him out because my daughter had two big dogs everyone was afraid of. Lots of noise.
Here there is no way for anyone to get into the back yard and he only stays out long enough to potty now. I think he misses his yard mates. Even though he doesn't want anything to do with other dogs he was use to them.
Sadly its today's world.
The only other thing I can think of besides some fool stealing your Pom if it was a small one and you have hawks or owls.I had a hawk try to go for a chi I was fostering.