Dogs and the garage?

Question
We just bought a new home, and we don't have a fence right now for the dogs and cats, so we put them in the garage in the day.  The garage is not air conditioned.  What can I do for them in the hot summer.  They ruined our other home, but using the restroom in the house, AND THAT IS NOT going to happen to this house.  I love my animals dearly, but I am so worried about them in the day.  Please Help ?

Answer
I hate to think of a dog and a cat in an unairconditioned garage all summer.  I am not sure about the cat, but there are good alternatives for the dog.  Other dogs may
not be as bad as the young Labs I am plagued with.  Still your house and dog
will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you are away.  The dog may be
happier in its den than loose in the house.  It relaxes, it feels safe in its
den.  It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving
its self.  Dogs that have been crated all along do very well.  Many of them
will rest in their crates even when the door is open.  I think the plastic
ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling.  They are harder for
dogs to open too.    Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with
something the dog can't pull in and chew.  Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys.  Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter.  Don't leave
anything in the crate the dog might chew up.  It will do fine without even any
bedding.  You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.  It would be best if you could give the dog a mid day break.  If you can't make it home, see if you can find a neighbor or a professional dog walker.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work.
Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate.  Praise it for going
in.  If you have been able to trust it with any bedding, put that in the crate.
Feed it in the crate.  This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding
time for more than one dog.

One of the best solutions to leaving the dog all day is doggy day care.  Instead of being left alone, maybe shut up, the dog has other dogs to play with all day.  

Perhaps some of the cat experts will have ideas for the cat.