The gf and i would love a dog but we are waiting till we have a decent sized house and a garden. I wouldn't even entertain the idea of a dog in a flat, unless it was ground floor and had a garden and a back door. Even then i probably wouldn't as i wouldn't want to upset the neighbours.
Apartment Pooch
- Thread starter Lonewolf
- Start date
Soldato
- Joined
- 22 Jul 2014
- Posts
- 3,931
- Location
- Oxon
The difference is with puppies. It's less of an issue with older dogs.
The problem isn't with having a dog in a apartment (obviously you'd choose a small breed of dog), it's with leaving it for long periods of time alone at a time when it's development is critically important.
I wouldn't say that. I have a dog in a two bed flat. We're downstairs the neighbors are up.
Neighbors are FAR louder than me, my missus and the dog combined.
Soldato
- Joined
- 27 Apr 2013
- Posts
- 4,095
So that is where I am going wrong? I need to treat the missus worse? Duly noted!
Ditto, we'd love a dog but it just wouldn't be fair on it in our present living arrangements.
Many owners do leave a dog on it's own for a long period however (not that I'd recommend it). If you must have a dog now and not later down the line, then at least make sure you can make some arrangements for it to be looked after or walked during the day. A neighbour, dog walker, family etc...
If you speak to someone like the RSPCA they'll tell you the same I think.
Also, I know a few breeders who wouldn't let you have a dog in that situation (i.e. being left along in a flat).
Rot.
Our lab/collie cross is alone during the day. She is happy and healthy and a joy to be around. We lived for a few years in a flat, and she was the same then. Most dogs love routine, so will quickly become adapted to a lifestyle where you are absent for the same period each day.
Some dogs are more anxious than others, and I wouldn't like leaving a younger dog alone especially. And I'll accept that a flat isn't the ideal place for a dog. But your blanket statement is rubbish.
Last edited:
Echoing most of the above - Getting a dog when you live in an apartment is a pretty selfish thing to do.
Come up with a really good justification which includes how it is fair on the animal and I might change my mind. You won't.
The time away during the day isn't always a massive issue for some dogs but the lack of space, in particular a garden then can just go out into and run freely in, is.
Get something more suitable for keeping in an apartment. Like a hamster, or a reptile of some kind.
Come up with a really good justification which includes how it is fair on the animal and I might change my mind. You won't.
The time away during the day isn't always a massive issue for some dogs but the lack of space, in particular a garden then can just go out into and run freely in, is.
Get something more suitable for keeping in an apartment. Like a hamster, or a reptile of some kind.
so you leave your house door open for the dog to wonder in and out of while your at work?
so you leave your house door open for the dog to wonder in and out of while your at work?
That isn't what I said now was it.....
I don't currently have a dog as mine died a few years ago, but when I was at home the back door would be open for about 8 months of the year when weather allowed and he would help himself to the garden.
We have a Papillon and its perfect for apartment life. BUT... My other half works part time and from home so he's rarely left alone. That might change soon, though but he's an adult now and quite happy roaming around on his own. We also have a garden and a country park on our door step so he gets plenty of exercise.
edit: Need to add, we live in an older building that has stupidly thick walls so the neighbours didn't hear any crying(we asked) when the dog was a puppy which is inevitable. They need a lot of attention, especially during the first 6-12 months for training, socialising(to prevent barking etc).
edit: Need to add, we live in an older building that has stupidly thick walls so the neighbours didn't hear any crying(we asked) when the dog was a puppy which is inevitable. They need a lot of attention, especially during the first 6-12 months for training, socialising(to prevent barking etc).
Last edited:
This is key.
Run a dog ragged and he'll sleep the other 21 hours of the day anyway.
When our dog goes on Holiday (dog sitting at their house) they give the new arrivals upto 3 walks for the first couple of days this tires them out and they are less hassle for the rest of the week.
And we get back a
Indeed, dogs are pack animals.
See if c4 still has that program on od where they filmed dogs while their owners were out, it was extremely saddening and affected a wide variety of breeds. If not google separation anxiety.