Dog Community

Moving into an appartment.

Posted : 10/5/2010 11:17:18 PM

Currently I'm still living with my parents in their two-story house. We have a fairly big backyard and it seems very roomy for my two little Chihuahuas. Anyway, around the 17th I'm moving out .. and of course my babies are going with me. We're going to be moving into an appartment about an hour away.

I have a few things I'm concerned about. 1) Them using the bathroom in the house 2) Not having a yard and 3) barking.

As of now we put puppy pads by the door ..just in case they have to go during the night. We also put their water up. Most of the time they use them .. but sometimes Pedro has a bad habit of going on dirty clothes when they are left on the laundry room floor. Besides that, they do not actually go on the carpet. However, I'm still worried about it. The pet deposit is $300, plus a monthly fee of $10-20/per pet. I don't want our new appartment with nice, clean, BEIGE carpet to get ruined - or smell!

The not having a yard thing does suck, but I think we can manage. I think it will mostly be a pain more than anything - having to take them out EVERY single time ..where as now, we can let them go out and run and have fun anytime we want. I honestly kind of feel like I'm punishing them, they love to go out and just run or sit in the sun when it's warm out. .. As far as barking goes, it has got to STOP. They bark at the drop of a hat ..and last thing I want is to get moved and have neighbors complain. Has anyone tried those bark things on tv?

Any suggestions would be great. As stupid as it may sound ..I am very worried they will feel scared about being in a whole new place, far away from "home" with all new surroundings and no backyard. I want this transition to be as pleasant as possible for us both.

GoldensAreTheBest

Posted : 10/6/2010 12:44:32 AM

There are alternitves for having a yard you can always take your dogs to the park and let them run around there. As for the barking I'd never suggest using a bark collar you can try the bark off type thing I know we had one a few years ago when they were first coming out and you COULD hear the signal it sent off when the dog barks and it went off even when they were barking it was rather annoying so we stopped using it however it has been like four years now so maybe they are better I'm not sure.

redlegos

Posted : 10/6/2010 1:30:08 AM

Thanks.

Yeah, I didn't mean a bark collar.. just those things you see that you turn on and ultrasonic sounds that are suppose to help.(https://www.freebarkoff.com)

JackieG

Posted : 10/6/2010 5:31:34 AM

The last post by spiritdogs has some links that should be of help with the barking. I'd get started ASAP, since you're moving soon.

http://community.dog.com/forums/t/109846.aspx

calliecritturs

Posted : 10/6/2010 9:02:56 AM

Honestly you have a *LOT* of work to do before you move.

FIRST -- start taking them out **on leash** EVERY time. You can start in the yard and then continue off the property -- but if you don't teach them to elminate ON leash your life will be heck when you move because they're used to going in a contained area that is 'theirs' -- going on leash IS different in a big way. don't try to just walk them occasionally -- they will wait until they get to where they are used to going!!

Resist the impulse to turn around and head home when they DO go -- or they will catch on and not "go" because they know when they do go the walk is "over". (been there, done THAT and made that mistake *sigh* with prior dogs)

If they bark now they're gonna bark -- so again you have *much* training to do.

You may need to crate them while you are gone and it is NOT cruel. (again this is something I had to learn as well) -- but keeping them in a room away from windows where they can see (and hear) people just walking by, and a room where you can insulate them from outdoor sounds, keep on a radio/tv can really help reduce noise.

spiritdogs

Posted : 10/7/2010 5:16:11 PM

You can try a "Manners Minder" to teach them to go to a certain spot when they hear a noise, rather than continuing to bark. Explanation here:

http://landofpuregold.com/store/p-manners.htm