Dog in a flat?

Piggywiggy

I don't think I would if I were you, where I can just open the door to let my dog out in to the garden when he needs the toilet you would have to take your dog out especially, in the middle of the night would be a big pain, and if it was a barker the neighbours probably wouldn't appreciate it, how about a cat?

krlyr

Piggywiggy wrote: »

I don't think I would if I were you, where I can just open the door to let my dog out in to the garden when he needs the toilet you would have to take your dog out especially, in the middle of the night would be a big pain, and if it was a barker the neighbours probably wouldn't appreciate it, how about a cat?

I recently had to take mine out on-lead to the local park for pee breaks (redecorating going on in the house made the garden out-of-bounds). OK, I wouldn't want to do it fulltime (especially not in the midst of winter!), but I actually found it quite a refreshing change, and not that much of a hassle. We did a morning pee break, OH did the daytime pee (which a walker may do in this instance), an after-work pee break and a before-bed pee break. They don't get a middle-of-the-night pee break even with me having a garden, unless they're ill - that's where it could potentially be an issue being in a 2nd floor flat, when they really need to 'go' they really need to 'go'!

Babbawah

I think keeping a dog in a flat is almost as sad as keeping a human in a flat.

Sadly, there are no laws against either.

GwylimT

Have you checked your lease? Some blocks don't allow pets.

We live in a flat with a dog and a cat, our last house was a back to back with no garden, you really don't need one to keep a dog.

On the days you can't get home at lunch you would need a dog sitter/walker.

trolleyrun

I have a dog and live in a flat, although it's a ground floor flat with a mini garden (which my dog refuses to wee in). I work, but I have measures in place, including 2 back up plans in case Plan A or B doesn't work out for some reason.

Having said that, I'm very lucky that my dog just goes to sleep when she's left home alone. She stays on my bed until I get home, apart from having a little snack and drink as and when she wants it. She doesn't bark, whinge or mess in the house. I know most other people say 4 hours max for a dog to be alone, but I sometimes leave mine for 6 hours without any problems. Before anyone gets "excited" about this, I have cameras monitoring her and if she was in any way distressed, I'd call in someone.

It is do-able to have a dog in a flat, but I wouldn't recommend a puppy. You'd need at least one (preferably 2) back up plan(s) in case of any unforeseen circumstances. Holiday plans is another. I make it easy, by only going where Pipsqueak can come with me. We come as a package. Nights out are rare and when they do happen, they're fairly short, as I don't want to leave her for very long. When I do have to leave her for any amount of time I make sure she has a very good long walk beforehand and we go for a good walk when I get back.

Lots to think of, and lots of research to do. I hope you find a solution that works for you.

elsien

Piggywiggy wrote: »

I don't think I would if I were you, where I can just open the door to let my dog out in to the garden when he needs the toilet you would have to take your dog out especially, in the middle of the night would be a big pain, and if it was a barker the neighbours probably wouldn't appreciate it, how about a cat?

I have had a dog in a flat with no garden, and although I'm now in a house Gitdog won't toilet in the yard so I put the lead on him and talk him for a walk when he needs to go. It's perfectly do-able and becomes part of the routine.
However mutt wasn't a barker and had my mum to call in, walk her and spent time playing with her while I was at work. That, for me, is more of an issue than the flat.

MookieSnuffles

We have our dog in our flat with us, we got him from a puppy. We had to get special permissions and come up with a detailed plan on care as well as how to deal with fouling, nuisance and noise. It was a lot of work and stress before we'd even got him home. We had to introduce him to all the neighbours, after making prior individual visits to them all explaining our intentions, read through our care plan, that we had permission and if they had any problems could them please tell us directly so they didn't suffer in silence and then snap ect ect.

We had to use our yearly allowance of holiday up one after the other, we puppy penned, crate trained and toilet trained during that time and we still had accidents, when we went back to work we were still getting him up in the middle of the night for toilet breaks and my hour and a half break from work was spent cycling home ten minutes in all weathers and then feeding, training and walking him, hubby was on a mix of early and late shifts so he was never on his own more than 4 hours (usually 3), he was left frozen kongs and puppy music and thoroughly nackered from training or walks before we left him and he still got into mischief, some of it still brings tears of laughter to our eyes now, other more serious things such as eating/chewing/swallowing small bits of his melamine dog bowl for shiggles meant an emergency trip to the vets and only metal bowls are allowed in our house now. We had family and friends on call with keys (another expense) so any problems we took him round someone's for the day or they came to ours.

It's influenced our work patterns, I now work nights and hubby days so there is only a small window where he's left on his own and he now has to get used to being awake some portions of the night for me to walk him then, which disrupts his lazy sleeping pattern.
He has to be walked not just let out the back for a wee, which I think is a good thing about having a dog in a flat, they've got no where else to go so you have to walk them. He treats the whole flat like a giant play ground or obstacle course, so I don't think he's missing out on space inside. About six months ago we could tell he was feeling like he'd "outgrown" his crate and he "felt" like he should be given the lounge/kitchen, so we trusted him with a baby gate across the door and it was the right move so far (though I still panic that he may chew something inappropriate) the only things he destroys are his own because he loves pulling stuffing out of toys and dog beds, but he's never done it to the couch, our cushions or sofa throw.

Having a young dog in a flat is one of the hardest things and is just like having a child with regards to provisions, timing and thought processes and especially in regard to finances. Could you cope with a toddler with four legs and fur in your flat?

That said, as much as he is the dirtiest, slobberiest, bum smelliest, body noisiest, weirdest boxer ever, and is one of the biggest priorities, concerns and vexations I have I love the little booger with all my heart and sacrificing my daylight hours is the least I would do for the little sod. I take one look at his Voldemorty wrinkled face and his kidney beaning body when I get home from work and I just melt.

My advice is if you honestly believe in your heart that you have the finances, tenacity, permission and the will power to do that important training and exercising before you leave, in the middle of the day and as soon as you come home then go for it, I'd probably recommend a rescue dog that's a bit older though, but if you think you might flake out after a couple of months or want to have lunch at work or do some overtime or have a social life straight from work then don't get a dog. Wait until you are in a new steady relationship, living with family or friends and share the burden and love, and in the mean time help out a friend or family member with their dog to get the feel for the after work side of it, or volunteer at a dog charity and get some hints and tips. That way you get the puppy loves with none of the expense.

Mookie
X

GlasweJen

We have a terrier and live in a private flat with communal gardens.

The dog goes to grannys/daycare during the day as her breed needs constant stimulation and a few minutes at lunch time wouldn't cut it. It's the expensive option but my OH had already considered and budgeted for this prior to getting the dog (and me moving in). She's so happy there that if I'm off work during the week but busy going out we still send her along to keep her routine going.

gettingready

neatheyc wrote: »

Was wondering if anyone lives in a flat and has a dog? I would love to get one, but live in a flat that's on the 2nd floor.

I had a dog when I was with my ex who stayed with me. Now that I am on my own, I would love to get one for the company.

However, if it barks all the time when I am out, I fear the neighbours would complain to the property management company.

Also, I work full time. Although could possibly pop home at lunch times every now and then.

I have a large GS in a 1st floor flat and I work full time.

No way you should get a dog in a flat when working full time and not having a regular dog walker to take the dog out every day in the middle of the day for an hour. That is what I pay (a lot) for.

Puppy pads? For a grown up dog? Instead of a proper toilet break in the middle of the day? Nope, sorry.

Cat seems like a much better option in your circumstances, you could find one in a rescue that is not allowed to go out and can/should be kept as a house cat.

Cats are cool. I know. I got 6 (with the dog)