Imagine coming home to a wagging tail and joyful barks, your loyal companion awaiting your return. That is amazing, right? Now, you might be wondering, can your dog thrive in an apartment living?
Can you still provide a fulfilling and happy life for your dog? Of course. I’ve been living with Milo for the last 7 years. Even before I got him, my family and I raised dogs in an apartment. And they lived a happy life.
Of course, you need to make a few adjustments and some thoughtful planning. Yet, there is no reason why you and your furry friend cannot thrive in an apartment setting.
Let’s explore how you can create a comfortable and enriching environment for your dog.
Is There a Right Dog Breed for Apartment Living?
You can make the case that some dogs can function in an apartment setting more easily than others. But that is because certain dog breeds need more room to exercise. Now, I’ve seen people keeping an Anatolian Shepherd in an apartment. I’ve also seen Maltese dogs being miserable in apartments.
Another case in point. I own a Jack Russell. People will tell you these dogs cannot live in an apartment. Terrier dogs are famous for tearing apart everything. You know the saying, they chew on furniture, etc.
Now, while Milo loves when we go to our weekend house with a yard, he is happy in the apartment as well. If you provide enough enrichment, exercise, and stimulation, dogs can be happy in small spaces.
Here are some comparisons that you have to pay attention to when choosing an apartment puppy.
- Small breeds vs. large breeds. You might say that large dogs need more space. But a Great Dane will chill on the couch all day long. But, a Chihuahua might go crazy inside a small apartment. Size only matters when you need space to put a dog bed inside
- A more important factor is low-energy dogs vs. high-energy dogs. Most people living in an apartment want a puppy they can spend an hour per day with. That is fine. But if that is the case, do not get a high-energy breed like a Belgian Malinois or a Border Collie
- Next, we have the behavior factor or calm and adaptable breeds. Some breeds are generally calm and do not go crazy when someone rings on the door, or a bird flies by the window. Others will try to chase them away
- Last, but not least, let’s talk about barking vs. quiet breeds. Basenji does not bark at all. They are amazing for living in an apartment. Terrier breeds, without proper stimulation and training, will go berserk
How to Prepare Your Apartment for a Dog?
Now let’s talk about how you can create a comfortable living space for your pet. No matter if you live in a small apartment, or a large house, your dog needs his space.
Let’s go step-by-step.
- Start by creating a designated sleeping area. I recommend having the dog bed somewhere in the living room. Yet, it should be a bit “hidden”. You want your dog’s sleeping area to be a safe place where he can go when there are guests
- Next is the play area. Recently hallways have gained popularity as a great challenge for dogs. The hallway is a great option for some obstacle courses and shenanigans. I also recommend having a small area in the living room where you can play and train. Remember, training new tricks also falls into the play area
- And of course, a feeding station. Set boundaries and decide where you want your dog to eat. I know some people have a rule “No dog in the kitchen”. I have no problem having the feeding station in the kitchen. But I know people who put it in the hallway
Pet-Friendly Furniture
Me and my wife are moving to a new apartment. And of course, with that, we have to think about interior design and furniture. The first thing we decided early on is that we want our design to allow simpler and easier cleaning.
In other words, we chose elevated furniture so that we could have a robot vacuum do the cleaning for us. During the process of buying furniture, we paid attention to the materials. If you allow your dog bed on the sofa, get one that comes with washable material.
Look for upholstered pieces made of leather, distressed leather, or synthetic fibers. Stay away from wool, silk, and suede.
Creating a Routine For Your Puppy
If you want a clean apartment, your No.1 priority is to create a routine. Happy potty habits result in a clean apartment. You do not want your puppy to have accidents inside, right?
Well, from the first day, you get your dog, set boundaries. And start working on your routine. If you stick with your routine, I promise you there will be no peening and pooping inside.
How to create a routine? Well, you need to understand when puppies pop and pee. When they wake up from sleeping, they have to pee. After they finish their meal, they pop and pee.
So, when you have a small puppy, make sure to work your routine around sleeping/eating. When I got Milo, I took him out 10 to 15 minutes after giving him meals. Young puppies need to go potty more often. As your dog grows, you can increase the time between potty breaks.
Providing Physical Activity and Mental Stimulation
If you want to have a happy puppy in an apartment, you have to provide plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation. There is no other way around it. When we go out with Milo, people praise him as a “calm Jack Russell”. But I take him for a walk 3 times per day, plus we play games at home, and I give him interactive toys like food dispensers.
Remember, we talked at the beginning about high-energy and low-energy dogs. If you have a low-energy puppy, things are fine. This is one of the reasons why we call them apartment dogs. I am not saying you cannot have a high-energy dog like a Border Collie in an apartment. But you need to work him out.
The good news is that if you have a working breed like a German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, or similar, you can emphasize tricks. These dogs love to work and train. Your exercise routine can include teaching new tricks at home. That will provide plenty of mental stimulation.
Do not ignore indoor play and activities. Your dog will not be happy if you let him sleep all day long at home. Pay some attention to him!
The Importance of Socialization
Dogs are social animals. They love to meet new people and new animals. Even if you have a dog with a dominant, alpha personality who is reactive. You can still find ways to socialize him. Maybe your dog doesn’t love other pets. But he loves humans, right?
Or your puppy would rather spend time with children than with other dogs. Find your dog’s love and socialize him as much as possible.
Socialization should begin as early as you can. When I talk about socialization, I have to mention the broad aspect of it. I’ve seen plenty of pet parents mistake socialization with dogs playing together. That is one aspect of socialization.
Socialization includes:
- meeting new people
- experiencing different sounds
- experiencing different scents
- experiencing different surfaces and environments
- meeting children
- meeting elderly people
- playing with people
Final Words
Living in an apartment with a puppy can be a rewarding experience. Or, it can turn into a nightmare. I’ve seen plenty of people who give away their puppies after a while. All because they were not ready for the commitment of living in an apartment with a pet.
Hopefully, my article shed some light on what you can expect. And how to prepare yourself for that chapter of your life.
With the right approach and care, living with a dog is an incredible experience. I have more articles where I talk about indoor games to play with dogs, socialization, and training. Feel free to browse my blog and find more useful articles.
