Living with a dog in an apartment?

gloobag

Just looking for some opinions here. I recently moved into a new apartment on my own. Starting to feel like I could use some company and I've noticed that there are actually a few dogs living in the building already. Anyone here with any experience of living with a dog in an apartment?

My apartment is quite large and I've actually had dogs all my life, but never in an apartment. Last year I had to give up my beloved husky as my working situation changed and I wasn't able to give her the attention she needed. She lives with my parents now and is very happy and extremely spoiled But ever since then I've really missed the companionship that only a dog can bring.

When I noticed that there were plenty of dogs (and cats) living here, it got me thinking that maybe I could get myself a small dog (maybe a pug, always loved them). I could always take my husky back I guess, but this would most likely break my parents hearts as they've become quite attached to her, and also I know a husky definitely isn't suited to apartment life.

I work 9 to 5 everyday and only live 5mins drive from my workplace, so could come home for my breaks to hang out with the dog. I also have the opportunity to work from home fairly often. I would also have the option of dropping the dog off at my parents place in the morning so it could hang out with the husky for the day. Kyla (the husky) is very playful and very good with other dogs, so would probably be a good influence.

I always thought that a dog in an apartment was a no no, but after doing a lot of reading on this subject over the past few weeks, I have myself convinced that I can do it without too much hassle. Am I just kidding myself???

morganafay

A small dog would be fine in an apartment I think. Especially since it could go to your parents during the day or you could go home on your breaks. And as long as it got lots of walks.

ISDW

Dogs in an apartment are fine, as long as you are totally committed to them. You have to get up in the morning and take them out, and last thing at night. Obviously you have to walk them as well, but then all dogs should be walked, so to me, thats just part of dog ownership.

In a lot of continental european countries, and in the US dog ownership in apartments is par for the course. Even huskies have been known to live in apartments, but if yours is happy with your parents, then probably best to leave her there.

I'd rather someone have a dog in an apartment and take it out for its walks than someone have a dog in a house with a garden, and the dog is just left out in the garden all the time by itself.

gloobag

Well, having previously owned a husky, I'm well able for the (long) walks Walks definitely are not a problem for me

adser53

go for it, you seem to be in a better situation than most people who work and have dogs. it's not a big deal once you give them the excercise and commitment they need. The only difference in your case is that you cant just open the door to let the dog run out to the loo. A pug or a cavalier (both of which can be prone to health probs so find a good breeder) would be perfect for you IMO

bonphoenix

I live in a apartment and have a dog. Thankfully I have a large balcony that he can go loo on so that makes life so much easier. My dog loves the apartment, he does get garden time when I bring him up to my parents a few times a week but if I could not bring him up he would still be content, its all he has known since a pup. He gets lots walks and off lead runs in a nearby park to burn of energy then I give hime kongs to keep him busy.

Make sure you go for a breed that is not prone to barking as that could cause big problems with neighbours. I have a working cocker spaniel, I could count on one hand the ammount of times I have heard him bark. I did read before I got him that working cockers are very quite, something to do with scaring the birds away if they barked. My familys show cocker is extremly vocal so defo would not suit apartment living.

Good luck:)

dancingqueen

Hi OP

I live in an apartment, and too have a pup. She is a Yorkie.

She's very happy and I take her for millions of walks, she has so much energy! I have a balcony also.

It's perfectly acceptable to have a dog in an apartment. I wouldn't have a large one though - but that is just my opinion

Good luck with your search for a new furry friend!

Wisco

You might want to make sure it's ok with your landlord (if you're renting)- many generic rental contracts specifically say 'no pets'. Mine had ok'd me having a dog, but left it in the contract until I pointed it out. Even though your neighbors have dogs, they may be doing it in without consent.

gloobag

Wisco wrote: »

You might want to make sure it's ok with your landlord (if you're renting)- many generic rental contracts specifically say 'no pets'. Mine had ok'd me having a dog, but left it in the contract until I pointed it out. Even though your neighbors have dogs, they may be doing it in without consent.

Well I mentioned it to him before I moved in about what his pet policy was, as my girlfriend would be visiting fairly often and she takes her cat everywhere with her. He kinda mumbled his way around the question, but basically said that as long as they don't wreck the place he doesn't mind.

Vel

morganafay wrote: »

A small dog would be fine in an apartment I think. Especially since it could go to your parents during the day or you could go home on your breaks. And as long as it got lots of walks.

It doesn't necessarily come down to the size of a dog when choosing a dog to live in an apartment. I lived in one for 2 years with a largish lurcher and the kind of things that made it work where that he took to house training very well, wasn't prone to barking the apartment complex down and was a laid back chilled dog. There is many a small dog I know who wouldn't do well in an apartment due to being prone to barking etc.

Once a dog gets the required exercise and stimulation, there is no difference in my opinion in them staying in an apartment during the day when you are out and a house. My dog spent the hours we were away snoozing on the sofa.

The only pain was having to get up and dressed to go outside with him for toilet breaks. The was many the wet, windy early morning when I would have much preferred to just open a door and send him out to a garden!

People all over Europe and the States have been living in apartments with dogs for decades and its considered perfectly acceptable there but we are newer to apartment living and some people seem to think its cruel, which I never understand. They are usually the kind of people who leave their dogs outside all day on their own while they are at work and think that leaving your well exercised, socialised and contented dog asleep 'cooped up' inside on your sofa is cruel!

Just make sure you are allowed by the Management Company to have a dog as many don't allow it. We also had the added benefit of living in an own-door duplex, so never had to walk him through communal areas.

A good idea might be to foster for a rescue organisation with a view to adopting, that way you will be able to 'try out' a number of dogs and see which does best in your circumstances. No point going off to buy a puppy only to find 3/4 months down the line that it isn't suited to apartment living.

Vel

gloobag wrote: »

Well I mentioned it to him before I moved in about what his pet policy was, as my girlfriend would be visiting fairly often and she takes her cat everywhere with her. He kinda mumbled his way around the question, but basically said that as long as they don't wreck the place he doesn't mind.

But just also make sure it isn't against the Management Company rules too, which your kandlord as owner would have signed up to but may not be aware of.

Mezcita

Vel wrote: »

But just also make sure it isn't against the Management Company rules too, which your kandlord as owner would have signed up to but may not be aware of.

Exactly. You might also want to consider your neighbours.

kylith

It doesn't necessarily need to be a small dog for apartment life. A friend of mine had a mastiff in hers. Once they're well exercised dogs tend just to sleep for the day.

ISDW

Actually a greyhound would probably be perfect for apartment life, biggest couch potatoes going, just need a couple of 20 minute walks a day and they're happy. So not just small dogs. A friend of mine used to have a doberman in a first floor flat, luckily there was a big green right outside, but he still had to take the dog down there to go to the toilet. That dog was one of the best exercised dogs I've ever known, and a very, very happy boy.

gloobag

So, I've been trying to narrow down what breeds would be suitable for me in this living situation over the last week or so and so far have narrowed it down to: Pug, Miniature Dachshund and Miniature Schnauzer.

I find myself being drawn back to a Newfoundland again and again also. Honestly, that would probably be my number one choice if it wasn't for their hulking size. I just wouldn't feel right leaving something that huge in my apartment while I go off to work, even if it would only be until lunch time.

Out of the three small breeds I mentioned, I'm starting to lean more towards a Dachshund now, but I've been reading that they can be yappy little things and I don't want to upset any neighbors.

To be honest, I really do much prefer larger breed dogs. Hence why I went for a husky a couple of years ago. But I just can't shake the fear of coming home to an apartment that looks like King Kong just stepped on it.