If you live in an apartment, or will be moving to an apartment, then you might not be sure if you can have a dog in the apartment with you. If you will be renting, then you may face even more restrictions, as you will need permission to have a dog in your apartment. But presuming that all of the correct permissions are in place, or you own the apartment yourself, then keeping dogs in apartments is something that is definitely possible, and can work for both you and your dog. You just need to make sure that you are doing it in the right way.
One of the things that will make a difference is finding the right breed of dog, as you will need to give your dog the specific time and attention that it needs. There are some general things that all dogs need, but different breeds of dog will have different and some quite specific requirements. Small dog breeds of dogs have been known to live happily in apartments, and can adapt to city living really well. Even large breeds, like Labrador Retrievers can adapt to living in an apartment. You would just need to make sure that the apartment is large enough, and that dogs get enough exercise regularly. There are definitely some things to think about, so here are some considerations for getting a dog if you live in an apartment.
Size and temperament
It would seem obvious from a practical point of view that smaller dogs are going to cope better with living in an apartment. However, there are some larger breeds that are going to adapt really well. In fact, you could be more likely to struggle with a chihuahua in an apartment compared to a Labrador, because you need to think about temperament as well. Smaller and calmer breeds can work well in smaller space, but larger breeds, like Labrador retrievers can enjoy smaller spaces as long as their needs are met. Labs or a lab puppy are pretty playful, but they don’t bark as much as chihuahuas. So living in an apartment they lab could be a better option, even though they are larger. They will tend to be fairly chilled out and placid, especially if they get enough exercise. Most dogs are going to be calmer and settle down once they have done enough exercise and had those needs met.
Exercise
Talking of exercise and your dog or puppy having their needs met, you need to have a plan in place for them, if you are going to be living in an apartment. For example, if you are going to be out of the house at work, leaving them alone nearly all day, isn’t going to work well. A Labrador retriever is going to need a lot of exercise, and just taking them out before you go to work won’t be enough. It isn’t like you could just leave them in your yard in a kennel to run around, as you don’t have one. So you will need to have other plans in place for your dog or puppy. For example, will you have a friend or neighbor take out your dog for a walk each day, or you could hire a professional dog walker? You could also look for a dog nanny, that can come in each day, or one that you can drop off your dog with them each day. This means that their exact needs are taken care of, so it could be something to really think about, depending on your family circumstances and work requirements.
On a similar note, the size of your apartment is something that makes a difference, as well as where it is located. If you have a ground floor apartment, a couple of seconds away from a park, then it gives you plenty of options and means that you can quickly get your dog outdoors. If you are on a top floor and need to get down several flights of stairs, or have to wait for an elevator, then it can be stressful for your dog, especially when they need to get out quickly to go to the bathroom. Being close by to places that you can walk to, in order to take your dog for a run and to stretch their legs, is another thing that is something to consider. It will be helpful for you all if you have some go-to places close-by where you and your dog can just head to. So the location of your apartment, and what floor the apartment is on can make a really big difference.
Having a routine with your dog is important too, which can come from having a regular dog walker, for example. But having some set times for meals, drinks, and exercise can be so vital for your dog. This will help your dog go from puppy to dog, and they will learn the routine and learn when and where they can go and do their business. It is much better that they do that rather than choosing to go on our carpet. So take a lot of time to train your dog properly and get them in a routine, and it will make a massive difference. When your dog is well trained and knows what is coming next, they are less likely to be bored. And when they are less likely to be bored, they are less likely to be mischievous which isn’t a good mix in an apartment. If you have an apartment that is less open plan, then using things like baby gates can be a good idea to make certain rooms out of bounds; then you can at least contain them.
Dog-friendly apartment
There are a number of things that you can do to maximize how dog-friendly your apartment is. Ensuring that there is a lot of floor space is something that is very important. Some extra floor space or open plan living gives them some space to run around, so on really dull and wet days, the option to stay indoors a little longer can be helpful. Thinking about what you have in your apartment is a must too. If you have some good storage, then it means that there will be less ‘stuff’ laying around in the apartment. And when there is less around the apartment, it will mean that there is less than can be broken or knocked over. Even some of the best behaved dogs can knock things over by accident. So having less ‘stuff’ that could be knocked, will make it much easier. Keep anything valuable or delicate out of reach, because there will be occasions when your dog is home alone, and they are likely to move around the apartment. Protect them, and protect your stuff.
With enough playtime and enough exercise, having dogs in apartments can be something that can definitely happen. Dogs need to have a lot of time, regardless of their surroundings, but if you are in an apartment and want a dog, then you need to put in effort and time to make it work. Plan it out, and see what the best options for you would be. There are some breeds that seem to adapt to living in small spaces better than some others; there are always exceptions to the rules. Apartment dogs do need to get out each day, walk, run, exercise, and move. As long as this can happen, they will live a happy life, wherever they live.
