Dog Community

Seeking advice: Condo living and dogs.

Posted : 7/21/2006 8:41:59 PM

Hi Everyone,

I am hoping to get some advice before I make the decision to possibly adopt a dog.

My family used to have a black lab when I was younger so I do have some experiance with caring for a dog. However I have the following concerns.

I live in a condo, 1 bedroom about 700sqfeet and I have always told myself that I wouldn't want to have a dog confined to such a small place and I would only get a dog if I was living in the country. However I have always wanted to have a dog and it looks like I won't be living out in the country anytime soon(career choices prevent that). It seems that a lot of people do have dogs in condos and there are quite a few small breeds that seem to be suited for a smaller place. Does anyone have a dog in a condo that might be willing to share their experiances? Are there any specific breeds that are very well suited to living in a condo?

I also have a very big concern about a dog staying alone for the time that I am at work. I live alone and work full time so I would be away from about 9:30am till 6:30pm during the week. This is quite a long time, I couldn't live with myself if my pet would have to suffer that whole time. Does anyone have any experiances with this? As I said this is my biggest concern and if I can't find a good solution to it, I don't see that I would be able to have a dog because I would feel guilty everyday seeing him/her suffer.

Another question I have is how do people deal with going on vacation when they have a dog at home that requires everyday care? During the summer I spend a few weeks out in the backcountry camping, and dogs are no no there because of the threats from bears. Any experiances from this?

Thanks in advance,

Will

SaraD

Posted : 7/21/2006 8:51:11 PM

Hi Will. Welcome to the board. I recently lived in a second floor, 1200 sq. ft. apartment with my pekingese, Shanarra. She had to have her daily runs 2x a day, but otherwise she did great living in that apartment. There are many small breeds and small mix breeds that will do well with apartment life if they get enough exercise before and after you head off to work. I wish you luck in finding your perfect doggy match.

--Sara

jetty

Posted : 7/21/2006 9:42:15 PM

I personally do not think that a small space is an issue - it just means that you and your dog need to spend more time getting out and about! The only thing that would worry me about small living space is the zoomies and being too loud for neighbours but so long as you teach your dog what is expected, that shouldn't be an obstacle either (it just means you look into adopting an older dog or having someone dogsit or dog walk a puppy)... A friend of mine had to move with her 10 month old GSD into a 500sq ft apartment (after he was accustome to 1400sq ft) and she loves it because she spends so much more time actually walking her dog (instead of just letting him in the backyard) so their relationship has actually improved since the move! Another friend has her rhodesian ridgeback in a 500sq ft or less apartment during the school year... so long as he gets to the dog park everyday he's fine (and he is used to 100+ acres of space for the rest of the year)!

The length of time you are away from the dog is by far more important IMO. I am lucky in that I am still in University so I have some flexibility in my schedule (and was able to accomodate the housebreaking phase). I personally do not think its fair to have a puppy if you are going to crate it and be gone for 10+ hours... However, it can be done if you can come home or hire someone to break up the day. It is much fairer (easier and less expensive) to adopt an adult dog who isn't as high energy and of course, is already housebroken!

With regards to vacation, I do not take one unless both my cat and dog can come along. Some people board or leave their pets with friends, family, neighbours or their trainer. I find that the best way to meet other dog owners is by sticking with training class - you usually have more in common (ie you want a well behaved dog) and can form better and long-lasting friendships. Most of the people I have met in dog training courses work full-time so I will often walk their dog during the day with Dodger and if I have an evening class, they will often watch Dodger for me.

I think if you do your research and find the right dog for condo living - for instance a retired greyhound or adult bernese mountain dog - you can most certainly have a dog. Research is important because for instance my dog (American Foxhound) is described in breed standards as unsuitable for city living because they're highly active and vocal. My dog needs tons of exercise but is usually a couch potato indoors, He isn't vocal (partly natural and partly through training so is actually

erfect for city or apartment living! If I were you, I would check out your local shelter for an adult dog[

], perferably one that isn't too high energy like a husly or border collie - but there are always exceptions! Maybe visit a dog park or training school to get more opinions (most trainers will know of a dog that needs a home and what kind of home it needs). Good luck and I hope you find the perfect dog for you!

tina robinson

Posted : 7/22/2006 6:42:02 AM

My suggestion to you would be to find some breeds you are interested in, and then talk to some rescue organizations for older dogs. Ones that are from homes that are used to being alone during the day, perhaps a bonded pair, then they aren't alone. I have 2 shiba Inu that i live comfortably with in an apartment, they are very quiet and self sufficiant, look into them I like them, LOL.

lisa baker

Posted : 7/22/2006 6:48:36 AM

heck i used to have a great dane in a house about that same size. you just need to go to the doggy park and take lots of walks. i love walking my dogs so it was never an issue for me.

loveukaykay

Posted : 7/22/2006 3:54:13 PM

Hi Will, welcome!

I dont think the size of the dog should be of much concern because no matter what size they will need exercise. I do think your time at work would make having a puppy almost impossible. They need constant care while you potty train and teach them the basics, they also have a ton more energy and go through their stages. I would look into adopting a dog around 2 years old... but you will still need to potty train it. Are you planning to crate while you are gone or let him have free roam of the condo? I vote for free roam while others may prefer crating. Either way because you will be gone for so long you will need to crate him at first until he is reliably potty trained.

I suppose you will need to ask yourself if you are willing to devot the rest of your night (after work) to his needs. He (I keep saying he but I mean he/she) will need a long walk every day after being inside and probably sleeping.

There are lots of dogs at the shelter that would love to be your couch potato![

] I would just stay away from high energy working breeds like herding dogs, jack russels, weimies... then again if you go to the shelter your probably gonna end up wil a mix breed and dogs are surpisingly good at adjusting to our lifestyles. Just make sure you get him the exercise and attention he needs when you get home. You have the weekends available right? I would make the most of them and do all sorts of stuff with him, maybe go to a dog park or something just to get him out of the house and socialized a little and also to have some fun quality time with you.

If you go on vacation you can board him at the vet or a doggy boarding place.

Xerxes

Posted : 7/22/2006 6:50:53 PM

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I have a pharaoh hound in an condo. But we are out walking/running/dog parking probably 3-4 hours a day. Some sighthounds can live in an apartment, provided that they are given the opportunity to run daily. This doesn't mean that they will run, but that they are given the opportunity to do so.

I would suggest investigating a greyhound rescue. They are great apartment dogs and usually end up being great couch potatoes.

jjsmom06

Posted : 7/24/2006 5:40:25 PM

As a greyhound owner who has lived with 4 different ones in condo's I can say that for a large dogs they make great small space companions. They absolutely need several daily walks (I take mine out for a minimum of 1 1/2 hours worth of walking a day).

I work 8 hours a day and my routine is to take them on a 20-30 minute brisk walk in the morning  and when I leave for the day I give them several stuffed kong toys and leave the TV on for sound. When I return they are usually still pretty sleepy (major couch potatoes!) and then we have a 45 minute (or longer) walk at night. They have a couple other very short"potty" walks a day and once a week I try to take them to an enclosed ball field to run (MUST BE ALL THE WAY ENCLOSED). I don't take mine to dog parks. . . know of too many greyhounds who have been injured by other dogs and they have very thin skin that can tear easily.

The other nice things about greyhounds is that most don't bark so this is nice for your neighbors and most are incredibly easy to house train. They are also use to holding their bladder for extended periods of time.

My only suggestion is getting one that has a lower energy level.

As for vacations, the local greyhound rescue I volunteer with offers boarding services for a mere $15 a day. It is nice to keep them in a place with other greyhounds where you know the people really care about them and they will have people around most of the day.

If you are looking for a larger breed that does well with a condo, definately look into your local greyhound rescue.
Good luck!

Janet Bradley

Posted : 7/24/2006 5:49:18 PM

I have a 60 lb maremma sheepdog, which is like a Great Pyrenees (but smaller!) in a 750 sq ft apt. She does fine BUT we walk for 30-45 mins early in the morning and about an hour in the evenings as well as several shorter walks during the day and before bed. when inside she is definitely a couch potato and is content to chew on her bones or sleep or get attention. Her breed is supposed to bark a lot but she is not a big barker. I got her as an adult and she was already housetrained which was a big plus! I do not have a crate and she does fine with free reign. She has never had an accident and has never chewed anything other than her own toys. I realize I got incredibly lucky with this dog! I think if you make the committment to exercise and socialize with other dog and people you will do fine. I also take her everywhere with me on errands when possible. I went to the beach last month and she came along. It required more money and work to find a condo that allowed dogs but it was worth it and very do-able. I have not found a dog bark but I sometimes take her to an enclosed field in the morning to let her run. I think you are not limited to a small dog but could also consider a low energy big dog. Good luck!

jones

Posted : 7/24/2006 6:12:04 PM

Generally speaking I don't think there's any correlation between the size of your home and the "right" size of dog. I have a good sized apartment with a little cocker spaniel - but he doesn't run around the house all day! Like nearly every other dog on the planet, he mostly lays around the house sleeping or chewing and he gets his exercise outdoors. We play fetch indoors sometimes, but it's not like we have to, we just do it for fun. You wouldn't want to have a St Bernard in a studio apartment, I'd imagine, but a Lab in a condo should be just fine.