Dog Community

Apartment complaints

Posted : 9/27/2006 11:53:06 AM

I currently live in an apartment with my puppy. He's a great dog because if we're inside then he's calm and wants to cuddle, and if we're outside then he wants to play and run. He's not destructive or anything. However, I feel bad because when I go to work he's all alone (well, with my rats--or in his mind, the little dogs in the cage who don't want to play with him) and he looks so sad when I grab my bag and head for the door.

I want to get him a friend, but I'm allergic to cats and I don't have the space for another dog. For the two of us it's fine, but it's just so small. I try to take him to a park and to play with my friend's dogs as much as possible, but the park is 40 minutes away and my friend's house is even further. The situation is also terrible because I'm only here for two years to get my Masters and then I'm (hopefully) getting as far away from here as possible, so I can't justify buying a house, and renting a house around here is really hard to do.

Has anyone else had similar problems? How have you dealt with it? Any other advice?

Julitza

Posted : 9/27/2006 12:05:08 PM

I understand 100%

I was living in a tiny apartment, on a busy road when I got Lizzie. It was such a hassle because i'd come home and she was so wound up, she wouldnt even eat her dinner.

What i'd do is just play really hard in the house, get some training in and always have stuffies available.

She'd play for about half an hour and then settle down by my feet...shes a good girl.

I say keep your eyes open for something better. I got myself a 3 room house with a large yard for only 15 bucks more than I was paying at the dump I was living in.

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 9/27/2006 3:10:57 PM

Could you maybe rent a house w/yard to share with a friend and their dog?

Joyce

Violetta Madej

Posted : 9/27/2006 4:58:36 PM

I wouldn't worry too much about it..as long as your dog doesn't have separation anxiety its fine...he's just missing you and is a little sad when you leave and that's ok...it won't be for too much longer hopefully, so in the meantime, I would just get him stuff that keeps him busy...keep the TV on before you leave home..or put on some nice music (not too loud! lol)..give him some nice safe toys he can play with..dogs love kongs stuffed with frozen peanut butter..it takes them a few hours to get through it.

Good luck

its good to know you're concerned about your furry friend.

What masters are you taking by the way? I'll be applying for mine in about a week hehe

Ruth

Posted : 9/27/2006 5:43:06 PM

I don't live in an apartment, but I do leave my dog alone when I go to work. He isn't sad to see me go b/c I give him a great treat when I leave! I fill a kong toy with kibble, plain yogurt, and sometimes banana, unsweetened applesauce and other healthy goodies, and freeze it overnight. He loves his doggie popsicles and they keep him constructively busy for a while after I leave as he tries to get the frozen yummies out of there. And he's eager to get me out of there so he can get his treat, so I don't feel as bad about leaving him.

jones

Posted : 9/27/2006 6:46:09 PM

If your dog isn't showing signs of anxiety I wouldn't worry about it. Dogs aren't like us... a well-adjusted happy dog might be sad to see you go but 5 minutes later he'll be sleeping or bird watching without a care in the world. I'm a renter too and it's definitely not a good time to get a second dog... just having one dog limits your options when it comes time to move. I'm sure I miss my dog more than he misses me. When I've come home early from work and surprised him I always find him snoozing away.

Katie M.

Posted : 9/27/2006 6:55:49 PM

When I lived in an apartment, I got a guinea pig as a friend for the dog. They would play through the cage (very cute). If your dog likes the rats, you might find a gp is a nice addition. They are sturdy and seem to be more dog-friendly than rabbits IME.

griffinej5

Posted : 9/27/2006 7:17:18 PM

ORIGINAL: mydogishalfgazelle

I currently live in an apartment with my puppy. He's a great dog because if we're inside then he's calm and wants to cuddle, and if we're outside then he wants to play and run. He's not destructive or anything. However, I feel bad because when I go to work he's all alone (well, with my rats--or in his mind, the little dogs in the cage who don't want to play with him) and he looks so sad when I grab my bag and head for the door.

I want to get him a friend, but I'm allergic to cats and I don't have the space for another dog. For the two of us it's fine, but it's just so small. I try to take him to a park and to play with my friend's dogs as much as possible, but the park is 40 minutes away and my friend's house is even further. The situation is also terrible because I'm only here for two years to get my Masters and then I'm (hopefully) getting as far away from here as possible, so I can't justify buying a house, and renting a house around here is really hard to do.

Has anyone else had similar problems? How have you dealt with it? Any other advice?

You know, if you'd just come back here, the situation wouldn't suck as much. There's also pretty much no chance of Max and I coming there, cause there are no good schools for me there.

Mallory

Posted : 9/27/2006 10:15:28 PM

ORIGINAL: griffinej5

You know, if you'd just come back here, the situation wouldn't suck as much. There's also pretty much no chance of Max and I coming there, cause there are no good schools for me there.

Haha, unfortunately it's the same for me up there! Apparently no one really wants to work with lizards in that area. Go figure.

Pit - I'm a Masters student in Biology studying reptile and amphibian evolution and reproductive biology... specifically, I work with geckos.

Thanks for all of your ideas. I think I'm going to try the frozen kong thing! And look for a new place, but it'll be hard because most of my friends don't have dogs and already live with other people anyway... plus this place is excessively cheap. It's a toss-up. Hopefully something good will come along soon though.

georgie4682

Posted : 9/27/2006 10:28:50 PM

You are in college so maybe this isn't the right way to go (cost may be too much), but what about sending your pup to doggy day camp a couple times a week. He'd get all his energy out and he'd be around dogs all day long. If there's one near you, you might want to check out their prices.

Xebby

Posted : 9/28/2006 12:46:56 AM

My dog has been my best study partner while in college but I do feel so sorry for her everytime I have to leave her alone. I leave the TV on for her while I have to go to class and I leave plenty of toys especialy interactive toys so she doesn't get board. I have one ball that despences treats as she rolls it and something similar to hide-a-squarrle that she loves. I also rent a house that has a yeard but she still stays inside while I'm gone. So far she hasn't caused any problems and as long as she has her toys and the TV set to Animal Planet I tell myselfs that everything will be alright leaving her home alone.

jeano

Posted : 9/28/2006 1:24:57 AM

Hang in there. If your place is cheap, save whatever extra that allows you to stash away for a down payment. Any amount, no matter how small, will be a help.

I've been renting in this town for almost four years and have yet to have a fenced yard. But in a month or two I will buy my own tiny house and I'll put in a fence so Sofia can play outside with me, and I can get another dog!

But I'm living the same thing you are right now. Tiny apartment, no fenced yard. Sofia is very happy as long as I have play sessions with her. She does get to go to work with me, but she stays happily at home when I do decide it's in her best interest to do so.

Sofia loves the Dog Food Game. That's where I take a handful of dog food (we get very small bites) and I toss and she catches them. I try to make it as exciting and fast as possible. She wants a session every night. [

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