Dog in an apartment

em_z

Hi everyone.
I'm thinking about getting a small dog from a rescue, but I live in an apartment and would just like to hear people's opinions on this.

I've had pets all my life, except when I was in Uni. After Uni I bought my first house, money was tight, so I had some pet rats. My rats have been gone for a couple of years and I really would like another pet, preferably a dog. I live in an apartment with a small balcony. I work 4 days a week, and one of these days I work from home. The dog would be on its own from 8.50am to 5pm when I'm at work, though I would be prepared to come back from work at lunchtime or get a dog walker.

I don't think it's right for cats to live in apartments, I'm not keen on rabbits and rats only tend to live around 2 years. I love dogs and still miss my childhood dog who died in 2006. I used to volunteer at a local dogs home, and know they are happy to rehouse certain suitable dogs to apartments. I would be happy to rescue an older dog rather than a puppy/young animal. I just feel that I could offer a dog a really good home with lots of love and care. Perhaps I'm just over thinking things as I've been debating this for a year?

I would really like to hear people's views on this.

Dunroamin

I've had dogs when living in flats before. If you can get home at lunchtime or pay for a dog walker on some days, the dog should be fine.

Go for it!

Froglet

I'm pretty certain that if you asked any dog which it would prefer,life in a kennel with no home comforts,even with the best a kennel worker could give,or one to one love and attention ,walks and fun and games,even though it' would be on it's own for a few hours,it would choose the latter!

Just hope you can find a rescue centre willing to let you rehome one,some are pretty rigid in their criteria.Though it does sound as if the place you used to volunteer at would be happy to.

Hillbilly1

We used to have dogs in a flat. I just bought PJs with plain bottoms so I could pop a hoodie on and then take them out first and last thing in comfort, and not look mental!

It can work - just be honest and they won't rehome you a dog that would like to have free access to a garden.

Person_one

I have two (small) dogs in a one bed flat with no balcony. Its been fine, for the most part, although there are times I really wish I could just open the door to let them out for a wee rather than having to go out in the cold or the snow! If you have a balcony, maybe you could look at creating a little garden type area they could use as a toilet? I saw Victoria Stilwell do that on one of her US programmes.

If you want to rehome a rescue dog, would you consider a bonded pair? Its a huge weight off my mind knowing that mine have each other for company when I'm not there, and they're completely devoted to each other.

Another issue with rescue dogs would be reactivity. A very reactive dog couldn't live happily in a flat, and you'd probably end up with complaints and angry neighbours. There are more noises from all around than in most houses, and the neighbours will be able to hear any barking more clearly.

Some rescues wil say no initially, the one my dogs came from did, but keep them talking and convince them how much you'll love those dogs and how you'll take them out to the countryside for off-lead runs, and take them to training classes, and hire a dog walker, and get up at 7am on Sunday mornings and be so persuasive they can't say no!

UKTigerlily

I have a rescue Staffie x in a flat & have had her for 4yrs & it's not a problem at all. I'm on the ground floor so it takes seconds for her to go to the loo, she's not a barker so no problems with the neighbours. I think a very active dog - a young or working type like say a Springer or Collie - may have problems but mine is like a Greyhound, couch potato!

gettingready

I have a large GS girl and 4 cats in a 2 bed , 1st floor flat - work full time and have a dog walker for Zara for an hour mid day Mon-Fri.

Zara will be 7 yo this August and a couch potato when I am at work - we have lots of open green spaces where we live so gets nice lovely walks.

I know a lot of people who have dogs and gardens and they do not walk outside as much as dogs living in flats - living in a flat one has to get out with a dog so it is normally a proper walk. There is no option to "let dog out to garden for a pee".

All depends on the dog's temperament too...

em_z

Wow! I wasn't expecting such positive responses. Thanks for sharing your experiences & opinions.

I would consider a bonded pair, as you say person_one, they would keep each other company. I definitely would ask for a non-reactive dog. I think the dog's home allows people to foster their potential dog before making the final decision about adopting, as some dogs behave v differently in kennels to a home environment. This sounds like it would be a good plan.

Just wondering, for those of you who have rescues: how did you choose your dog, or did your dog choose you? I've never adopted a rescue dog before.
Thanks again

UKTigerlily

For me I called up & spoke to someone about what I did & didn't want in a dog ie medium sized or smaller due to being in a small place, no pups as i've no private garden & am not home enough to house train while young etc & as I needed one good with cats they suggested the dog I got.

I didn't look around as I went to meet the one suggested, after all they knew the dogs better than me & she was a perfect match, I think she was made for me as I even bumped into her previous owner's Sister by chance a month later & she said she never comes over to my village but had that day.

I would be 100% honest about what you do & don't want, for me the main things were it had to be good with cats, fairly quiet as in a flat & not a Pup. Keep an open mind, for example many say I won't have a Staffie or x or y but try to take each dog as an individual as many don't fit the general breed description - i'd ruled Staffs out as I thought they'd be too bouncy & energetic & barky for my place but mine is probably 3/4 Staff & is perfect, she rarely ever barks & only when playing.

Person_one

em_z wrote: »

Just wondering, for those of you who have rescues: how did you choose your dog, or did your dog choose you? I've never adopted a rescue dog before.
Thanks again

It was a bit trickier for me than for most, as I'm allergic to most dogs and non-shedding breeds don't come into rescue as often as others and tend to get snapped up quickly when they do unless they are older or have 'issues'.

What I did was to bookmark the websites of dozens of rescues all over the country and then check them all every other day or so to see if any suitable dogs had come in. There were a few false starts and it took a couple of months, but when I saw mine posted I knew instantly they needed to come and live with me so I phoned the rescue straightaway and practically begged!

It does feel as though they were always meant to end up here, currently one is lying flat out on his back asleep on the couch and the other is happily chewing his stag bar, can't imagine having any others!

Good luck in your search, be patient, don't get disheartened if it doesn't go smoothly.

This is a good place to start: https://www.dogpages.org.uk

19lottie82

My friends got a rescue dog which they leave in the flat while they work (a dog walker comes at lunchtime) and it has actually destroyed the whole place! Eaten their sofas. Ripped up the carpet. Chewed the door. If they leave it alone for more than 20 minutes (seriously) it pees everywhere.

They have spent loads on training, behaviourists, plug ins, herbal calming remedys and nothing works.

The vet says it's seperation anxiety, which is common in rescue dogs.

I'm not saying that this will happen but you need to realise that it might. Some dogs jsut need company and aren't suited to being left alone all day.