Bad idea? [Apartment Dog]

never_mind

hi all -

I have wanted a dog for awhile now. Our situation is that we have an apartment and my OH works shift so is there during the day maybe 50-60% of the time. I work 9-5 Mon-Fri so I wouldn't be there until the evening.

Are we mad getting a dog by itself in an apartment where we both would be gone a bit during the day? I work close to home so when my OH is in work I could call in and give them company/feed them etc.

If you think that we would be eligible to adopt a dog what breed would suit this kind of set up?

Thanks

lawred2

Well I'd consider it mad and a bit self indulgent to boot. I wouldn't consider an apartment an appropriate home for a dog.

But then I presume there must be literally millions of dogs living happily in apartments so what do I know!?

It wouldn't be for me though.

never_mind

lawred2 wrote: »

Well I'd consider it mad and a bit self indulgent to boot. I wouldn't consider an apartment an appropriate home for a dog.

But then I presume there must be literally millions of dogs living happily in apartments so what do I know!?

It wouldn't be for me though.

Self-indulgent is a bit of a strong word here... we haven't made a decision we are just talking about it! Thanks for the advice all the same. And yep I know of a lot of small dogs in our block living quite happily it seems.

toadfly

As long as the dog is well exercised and obviously brought out to the toilet as required I dont see an issue. I would adopt an older dog though who would be used to some time alone. Wouldn't consider a pup though, that would be cruel and they would likely destroy the place.

Bichons are known to suffer from separation anxiety so would stay clear of them.

never_mind

toadfly wrote: »

As long as the dog is well exercised and obviously brought out to the toilet as required I dont see an issue. I would adopt an older dog though who would be used to some time alone. Wouldn't consider a pup though, that would be cruel and they would likely destroy the place.

Bichons are known to suffer from separation anxiety so would stay clear of them.

My OH likes pugs and french bulldogs but yes - we'd like an older dog that we could rescue/adopt. We are not looking to buy a pup that's for sure.

toadfly

never_mind wrote: »

My OH likes pugs and french bulldogs but yes - we'd like an older dog that we could rescue/adopt. We are not looking to buy a pup that's for sure.

When adopting a dog the rescue should have assessed them in a foster for weeks before them being rehomed so will be able to match you with the right dog. Also should be vaccinated and neutered, would steer clear of a rescue that doesnt do this as standard.

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This post has been deleted.

Tenigate

If you can commit to walking your dog for 15 mins twice a day (before work and in the evening), every day, you probably won't have a problem.

never_mind

Tenigate wrote: »

If you can commit to walking your dog for 15 mins twice a day (before work and in the evening), every day, you probably won't have a problem.

I run around 10k a day so this wouldn't be an issue!

never_mind

toadfly wrote: »

When adopting a dog the rescue should have assessed them in a foster for weeks before them being rehomed so will be able to match you with the right dog. Also should be vaccinated and neutered, would steer clear of a rescue that doesnt do this as standard.

I think this is sound advice - thanks a mil!

Bunnyslippers

I don't see a problem if all the dogs needs are met - there are tons of unwanted dogs needing homes so it's a great thing to rescue if you can!:) I wouldn't get a pug/bulldog or deformed faced dog if you intend on doing a lot of running though! A sight hound might be a good option as they love to trot along with you but then spend large amounts of time lounging around and there are tons of greyhounds needing a home!!:D

I had a dog in an apartment for a couple of years.

Here's some considerations.

First off do you have permission from your landlord and the management company? We had total support from ours.

Second, will you be commited to keeping the apartment and anything owned by the landlord in good nick? We didn't get a pup for exactly this reason. Too likely to destroy things. We got a dog of around one. She is double coated so we spent a huge amount of our time grooming her and hoovering everywhere and everything.

After that, you have to be sure the dog won't bark or cry endlessly when youre not there (and even when you are there). Khali rarely barks so we had no issues when we were there but we quickly discovered she would cry if we left her. Very bad separation anxiety. But that leads me onto my next point..

Do you have backup if you have to go away, work an extra long day etc. My mam was literally a five minute walk from us and whenever I was going somewhere that I couldn't take the dog with me she went to my mams for the day. Doggy day care works too. Also I got Khali from the pound so I knew nothing about her. If you get from a rescue using a foster then the foster family should be able to tell you how the dog behaves when left alone.

Because you don't have your own garden, walks are more important than ever. You can't skip one no matter what! I remember a couple of truly terrible days. Absolute torrential rain and having to put on full wet gear to bring the dog for her walks.

I don't buy into the idea that you can only have a small dog in an apartment. I find many small dogs, my own terrier included, can be quite yappy. A barking dog in an apartment block is inviting trouble. My girl is a husky mix. They aren't big Barker's. Once she got her exercise daily she just wanted to be with us inside. The apartment was perfect.

In fact the rescue I took my terrier from (he lived in the apartment for 4 months while we went through the final motions of buying our house) were more than happy to home to an apartment because "at least we know he won't be abandoned in a back garden all day everyday".

Finally, what will you do if your landlord changes his/her mind or the management company do? Or if you own your own apartment, what if your neighbours make complaints etc?

If youre renting, it's extremely difficult to find pet friendly homes. Rescues are full of dogs and cats that were handed in when their owners had to move. We knew we were buying a house but if it all went to s**t I knew I could 100% count on my mum.

never_mind

Deleted User wrote: »

I had a dog in an apartment for a couple of years.

Here's some considerations.

First off do you have permission from your landlord and the management company? We had total support from ours.

Second, will you be commited to keeping the apartment and anything owned by the landlord in good nick? We didn't get a pup for exactly this reason. Too likely to destroy things. We got a dog of around one. She is double coated so we spent a huge amount of our time grooming her and hoovering everywhere and everything.

After that, you have to be sure the dog won't bark or cry endlessly when youre not there (and even when you are there). Khali rarely barks so we had no issues when we were there but we quickly discovered she would cry if we left her. Very bad separation anxiety. But that leads me onto my next point..

Do you have backup if you have to go away, work an extra long day etc. My mam was literally a five minute walk from us and whenever I was going somewhere that I couldn't take the dog with me she went to my mams for the day. Doggy day care works too. Also I got Khali from the pound so I knew nothing about her. If you get from a rescue using a foster then the foster family should be able to tell you how the dog behaves when left alone.

Because you don't have your own garden, walks are more important than ever. You can't skip one no matter what! I remember a couple of truly terrible days. Absolute torrential rain and having to put on full wet gear to bring the dog for her walks.

I don't buy into the idea that you can only have a small dog in an apartment. I find many small dogs, my own terrier included, can be quite yappy. A barking dog in an apartment block is inviting trouble. My girl is a husky mix. They aren't big Barker's. Once she got her exercise daily she just wanted to be with us inside. The apartment was perfect.

In fact the rescue I took my terrier from (he lived in the apartment for 4 months while we went through the final motions of buying our house) were more than happy to home to an apartment because "at least we know he won't be abandoned in a back garden all day everyday".

Finally, what will you do if your landlord changes his/her mind or the management company do? Or if you own your own apartment, what if your neighbours make complaints etc?

If youre renting, it's extremely difficult to find pet friendly homes. Rescues are full of dogs and cats that were handed in when their owners had to move. We knew we were buying a house but if it all went to s**t I knew I could 100% count on my mum.

Really good advice here for those in rental properties - I am staying in my own house, though!

Ms Doubtfire1

never_mind wrote: »

toadfly wrote: »

When adopting a dog the rescue should have assessed them in a foster for weeks before them being rehomed so will be able to match you with the right dog. Also should be vaccinated and neutered, would steer clear of a rescue that doesnt do this as standard.

I think this is sound advice - thanks a mil!

get a greyhound...:-) best dogs for apartments.Lazy as *** and if it's raining they usually don't even WANT to go out.:-)

cocker5

never_mind wrote: »

Really good advice here for those in rental properties - I am staying in my own house, though!

you will still need to check with your property management company - regardless of ownership etc lots of apartments blocks have a policy wriitten in their contracts - no pets allowed

never_mind

cocker5 wrote: »

you will still need to check with your property management company - regardless of ownership etc lots of apartments blocks have a policy wriitten in their contracts - no pets allowed

Thanks a mil!!

Cuddlesworth

No because it severely limits your options in renting in future. Many landlords are against pets of any kind.

PoppedPopcorn

I live in an apartment and have a large breed dog
No issues at all!
My OH works shifts which is handy as if he's out I can pop home from work to see the dog.
Only annoying thing is the constant lead on and out to the toilet every hour or so but tbh you get use to it and it's either that or clean up pee off the floor haha.
Just make sure before getting a dog that someone will be about for them

Pseudorandom

I don't live in an apartment but I do live in a house where the dogs stay indoors all day when we're at work (9-5). Honestly, they seem fine. I often work from home and when I do they seem to pretty much sleep most of the day anyway so I have no guilt leaving them for the day. Would recommend greyhounds/lurchers also fwiw, love their walks but very happy to just snooze otherwise.

deadlybuzzman

We live in a tiny house that's actually smaller than alot of apartments I've lived in over the years.
We have a very high energy dog but every day she gets between 5-10 km walk in the forest or run on the beach or she's in doggy day care if neither of us are there.
Once a dog gets sufficient exercise the size of home doesn't matter as they'll probably do little more than lie about the place