Apartment Living With Your Dog

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 38.4% of US households have dogs - and many of those households live in apartment buildings.

Apartment living poses challenges for dogs and their families, but there are things you can do to minimize the stress, both when moving in and for day-to-day living.

Find the Right Apartment
The first step is to find a dog-friendly apartment. Many apartments claim to be dog-friendly, but they could be better described as "dog-tolerant." To find a place where your canine companion will be welcome and happy, there are some important things to look for.

Start with the office. Is your dog allowed in the office? Do the staff members greet him? Do they have treats on hand? This is the first impression of whether or not the apartment is really dog-friendly.

Check the outdoor spaces. Are there bowls with fresh water in public areas? Are there convenient places for your dog to do his business? If you loved this information and you would like to receive additional details concerning australian working dogs kindly see our own web-page. Do they have poop-bag dispensers (in case you forget yours)? Are there places where dog overs "hang out" with their pets, to allow them to meet one another?

Walk through the building. Does your dog seem unusually nervous or stressed in hallways, stairs, or elevators? Dogs are very aware of sounds and smells that you can't even detect, and these things can be a source of stress for your dog.

If possible, talk to other dog owners in the building. Ask if they have encountered any problems.

Explore the neighborhood. Make sure there are good places to walk with your dog, and nearby parks. See if there are dog-friendly cafes and potential dog adopters/buyers in australia and globally. businesses nearby.

Locate the nearest emergency vet. Hopefully you'll never need to use it, but in an emergency, it's great to know that help is near at hand. Think about whether you will continue to take your dog to your existing vet for regular checkups and vaccinations, or find a new vet close to your new apartment. It's often worth an occassional drive to stick with a doctor who is familiar with your dog.

When considering an apartment, ask about breed restrictions. Some apartments place limits on the size of your dog, or may even prohibit certain breeds.

A few of the breeds that are often prohibited include: Pit bull terriers. Cane corsos, Rottweilers, Staffordshire terriers, Akitas, Mastiffs, Great Danes, Doberman pinschers. Fairly or unfairly, these breeds have a reputation for aggression. It is sometimes possible to overcome breed restrictions if you can demonstrate that your dog is a "good citizen" by providing evidence of obedience courses, or membership in a pet daycare facility.

The apartment management may also charge an extra deposit or cleaning fee, and there may be an addition to your monthly rent as well.

Find the Right Dog
If you don't already have a dog in your family, think about the kind of dog that will adjust well to apartment living.

In general, you'll want to find a breed with the following characteristics:

Small to medium size. Smaller dogs are often a better chose in the close confines of an apartment.

Barking. Breeds that like to bark or howl can be a nuisance for you and your neighbors.

Temperament. Choose a breed that is good with strangers. When living in an apartment, you'll frequently run into neighbors in hallways and public areas.

Exercise. Choose a breed that doesn't need to much exercise, and avoid very active breeds. Regular walks can help, but living in an apartment can be difficult with a very active breed.

Independence. If your dog will be left home alone during the day, be sure the breed does well without constant companionship.

Based on these criteria, some of the best breeds for apartment living include:


Australian Terrier

Basset Hound

Cairn Terrier

English Toy Spaniel

French Bulldog

Havanese

Italian Greyhound

Japanese Chin

Papillon

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Pug

Many smaller "designer breeds" are also good candidates for apartment living.

If you're not a dog expert, use an online dog breed selector to help find breeds that are well-suited apartment living. We recommend the breed selector at georgiapuppiesfromheaven.com. It uses over 40 factors to recommend the best breeds for you. The site also includes detailed breed profiles and photos for over 120 breeds.



Of course, every dog is unique! Many breed characteristics can be overcome with good training and socialization.

Get Off on the Right Paw
Help your dog to adapt to his new environment.


As much as possible, stick with established routines to minimize changes in your dog's life.

Keep old toys, blankets, and bedding. Your dog needs familiar things around to ease the transition to his new environment. This is especially important when you first move in!

Spend time on the floor! Leave traces of your scent throughout the apartment.

Walk your dog through public spaces and give him lots of encouragement and treats.

Make sure your dog has a "safe" place... a bed or a dog crate that is out of the flow of traffic, where they can escape if he is feeling stressed.

If at all possible, plan on spending a few days at home with your dog when you first move in, until they are accustomed to the new apartment.

Above all, give your dog as much time, attention, and affection as you can to help ease his stress.








Tips for apartment living with your dog provided by 1200 Lakeshore, a dog-friendly apartment in Oakland, California .