Any pet owner would prefer to live in a stand-alone home just to be able to provide a personal backyard for their fury babies, but not everyone can afford one. That does not mean you cannot get a pet when you live in an apartment. If you would love to get a dog, then preferably opt for a small-sized breed that does not need a lot of space, and its exercise requirement is minimal.
But if you happen to enjoy having large breed dogs like Mastiff or Retrievers and plan on getting one then it is still possible to live in an apartment. Even if you opt for a medium sized dog like Vizsla by getting one from vizsla puppies for sale , though it is easier than maintaining a large dog breed but you still have to learn a few tricks, as mentioned below.
- Carpet the Floor:
Dogs find it tough to walk and run on tiled or wooden floors as it can get slippery. Running on such a floor can cause injury, especially in large breeds that are prone to hip dysplasia. Carpeting the areas that you are going to let the dog use the most is the best way to give them a safe space to run around.
- Create a Relief Routine:
Dogs follow a schedule throughout the day. Adult dogs need to urinate at least every 5-6 hours. Hence, form a schedule such that you know when to take your dog down. Remember, they would want to go more when they wake up from a nap.
- Hire a Dog Walker:
If you have a busy day mostly and cannot really give your dog many outdoor workouts, then it is better to hire a dog walker who can walk your dog for an hour. Giving your dog enough workouts is essential, especially for large dog breeds. When the dog is tired, it will be calmer inside the apartment. Also, they will not get overweight and remain healthy.
- Sign Up for a Day-care:
If you have to work out for an entire day, then instead of leaving the dog in the apartment where he can get destructive due to lack of exercise, send them to a day-care where they get enough engagement. Your dog will learn to socialize with other dogs and humans, and the day will turn out to be fun and productive.
- Desensitize the Dog:
It is inevitable to avoid noises when you live in an apartment. The houses are closer; hence, if someone knocks on your neighbor’s door, it may alert your dog. If you plan on living in an apartment for a longer duration, better teach your dog to get adapted to such noises. Excessive barking is not appreciated by neighbors; hence you need to get your dog used to these noises and train the dog to not react to them. You can do this by introducing the dog to the mailmen, grocery guy, or courier guy who often come there so that your dog gets familiarized and does not consider them a threat.
- Aim for Lower Floors:
Any dog needs at least 4-5 trips to relieve itself. Taking them out every time can get tiring. Also, if you get busy with something, they will have to hold their pee for many hours, which may lead to UTIs in females and other issues. It is obviously easier to go down and come back if you are on the lower floors; hence, you will be encouraged to take them out more often.
- Add a Balcony Potty:
If you do not live on the lower floors, you will hopefully have a balcony where you can install an emergency potty. This can be easily created by using faux grass, where your dog can do its business if it suddenly feels the urge. This will also help on days when you are unwell and cannot go down. Also, if your dog learns to pee there, they will not hold their bladder for long hours if you cannot take them down timely.
- Visit a Dog Park on the Weekends:
Yes, you live in an apartment, and most apparent have rules which indicate you cannot let your dog go off the leash. Large breed dogs need to have enough open space, so take them to the nearest dog park as often as you can to give your dog enough off-leash time.
- Make Use of Puzzles:
When you cannot tire the dog physically, then you need to get creative and get them mentally tired. Using puzzle feeders is a great way to mentally tire them. It will keep them busy for a long time, and they will get tired by the end of it.
- Create a Play Area at Home:
Your dog will always want to play fetch, so creating a play area in the corner of the home, like the balcony or a long corridor, is a great way to burn some of their energy indoors.
- Be Careful with Their Nutrition:
Dogs that live most days indoors need fewer calories than a really active dog. If you feed your dog dry kibble, ensure you measure the quantity correctly and feed as per the guide for a dog with lower activity. It is very easy for dogs to get obese if they live in a small apartment due to a lack of physical exercise. Hence ensure you feed them right to keep their weight under check.
- Get a Long Leash:
If your dog is not allowed off-leash inside the apartment area, you can use a long leash so that your dog gets better mobility inside the complex. At least this way, the dog will get more activity while you take it for a walk. A long leash is also helpful when you take your dog outdoors in an area that is not fenced. They will get to explore the area, but you know that you are in control. If your dog is not trained to be off-leash safely yet, getting a long-leash is good.
The Bottom Line:
Yes, raising a large dog in a small apartment is tough, but it is not impossible. Due to urbanization, many families are shifting to smaller homes. Dogs mainly need love and care from their family members, and they can live happily in the smallest apartment without complaining.