Many individuals and small families choose to live in apartments and condominium units because of the smaller, more manageable spaces and, hopefully, better care and maintenance of the building on the part of their landlords and the condo developer or association.
However, for dog lovers, caring for a beloved pet in an apartment/condo can be challenging, especially since they have to consider their neighbors as well as maintain the condition of the unit that they are living in.
Let us take a look at some tips on how to take care of a dog in an apartment regardless of whether you live in a first floor or upstairs unit.
1) Find out if there are any existing pet clauses in your apartment contract.
If you want to avoid any future trouble with your landlords or neighbors, make it a point to review the contract you have signed.
Some apartments/condos strictly prohibit having pets of any kind in your unit because any damages caused may lower the value, not only of your unit but of the building itself. In this case, you may need to move to another apartment that allows dogs or other pets.
While some apartments/condos are pet-friendly, they impose certain rules not only to preserve the building and grounds, but also to prevent conflicts with neighbors. Make sure that you learn these rules carefully to avoid any problems.
It also helps to allot a certain amount of money for potential damages that may be caused by your dog if and when you ultimately decide to move out.
2) Choose a breed that can live and thrive in an apartment.
If you haven’t bought or adopted a dog yet, you need to consider choosing a breed that can live in the small spaces of an apartment. There is no truth to the belief that smaller dogs are the best dogs for apartments/condos.
For example, while Chihuahuas are small dogs, they may not be ideal for apartment living because of their restless energy and frequent barking for attention. Ideally, you should get a low energy dog, such as Spaniels, Terriers, or Bulldogs.
Large but low energy breeds include Great Danes and Dobermans. Medium energy dogs like Golden Retrievers can also live in apartments, but you need to take them out frequently for walks and to do their potty outside.
3) Consider behavior training for your dog
Let’s say that you already own a dog and you want to take them with you into your apartment/condo. The problem is the change of environment may prove stressful to your dog.
They might bark more frequently because of traffic or other unfamiliar noises in the environment. They may also shy away or, worse, become hostile toward other people in the apartment building.
In these cases, you need to have your dog go through behavior training. Expose them to their environment so that they become familiar with the noises that they hear outside. Introduce them to your neighbors.
If allowed, let your dog sniff them so that they know their smells (as well as the odors of the building itself).
4) Crate training is a must for apartment living
Crate training is very important especially if you will be leaving your dog in the apartment all day while you work or go to school. Crate training means that you allot a large cage, dog bed, carrier, or even a small space in your apartment where your dog can feel safe.
Lay a soft blanket or mat so your dog can lie down on it. Make sure that you provide your dog with chew toys and other favorites to keep it happy and distracted while you are gone.
5) Establish a routine for feeding and going potty
Because they are confined in a small space, your dog cannot just go out to answer the call of nature. For your dog to thrive and also to prevent “accidents” indoors, establish a routine for feeding and going potty.
Make sure that you feed your dog at the same time each day and then take them out for a walk to do their business. This causes your dog’s metabolism to change – giving it better bladder and bowel control – so that it follows the routine you have set.
If you are afraid of your dog peeing or pooping before the intended time, consider allotting a space in your apartment or the balcony for such purpose by laying newspapers or an easy-to-wash mat of false grass for your dog to use as an emergency bathroom.
6) Always take your dog out on walks
To reduce your dog’s restless energy, make it a point to take it out for 20- to 30-minute walks twice a day. You can scope out the areas around your apartment building to see if there are any parks or fields nearby for your dog to run around and play.
Make sure that your dog is properly outfitted in a harness and stretchy leash so it can have adequate leg room to run, but just enough resistance to give you control over its movements.
7) Hire a dog walker or a doggy daycare center
If because of a busy work schedule or for any other reason you find that you cannot care for your dog on certain days, consider hiring a dog walker to take your dog outside.
You can also ask help from your next-door neighbor to look in on your dog from time to time. Another option is to bring your dog to a doggy daycare center.
The advantage of these centers is that it will give your dog opportunities to play with other lovable canines.
8) Make sure that your dog has complete shots
It is important that your dog has complete immunization against known diseases, including rabies, Parvovirus, and heartworms, just to name a few.
This is not only to maintain your dog’s health, but also the safety of the people in your apartment building who may come in contact with your pet.
It should be mentioned that most pet-friendly apartments/condos require dogs to have completed their first round of shots and deworming.
You don’t need to be overwhelmed with the challenge of how to take care of a dog in an apartment. Just follow these tips and you and your dog are sure to live happily and peacefully in your apartment/condo.
