Take Care of a Dog in an Apartment
Many apartment dwellers wish have a dog. While canine ownership requires serious considerations, dogs can be wonderful apartment companions. Research dog breeds extensively to determine a canine appropriate for your personal lifestyle and suitable for the small space of apartment living. Understand dog ownership before bringing a dog into an apartment: financial obligations, breed personality, dog health needs, pet commitment and responsibility. Once a suitable dog has been selected, follow the steps below to ensure healthy, happy cohabitation.
Instructions
1. Consult apartment landlord and lease agreement. Before bringing home a dog, ensure that canine ownership is allowed. Ask landlord specific questions regarding apartment breed restrictions, weight limits and "pet rent" fees. Sign a dog policy agreement.
2. Evaluate the commitment of dog ownership in apartment living. Owning a dog is a long-term, time-consuming responsibility that offers the great award of loving companionship. In small apartment spaces, understand that dogs require outdoor exercise, frequent walks, several bathroom breaks a day and appropriate training. Healthy, happy cohabitation is possible, but consideration of the steps required is important.
3. Adopt a dog. Complete excessive dog research, and look into apartment-friendly, low-to-medium energy breeds such as a pug, spaniel, dachshund, whippet or bulldog. Consider adopting a dog from a local humane society or shelter, as full-breed and mixes of all ages are available from dog rescues. Once approved, sweep the apartment for potential dog hazards to ensure the safety of your pet.
4. Ensure your dog has appropriate identification. Outfit your canine with a collar and name tag that communicates your name, phone number and address. Additionally, consider micro-chipping your pet-- this painless, inexpensive process takes minutes to complete at the veterinarian's office, and improves chances that your dog will be returned home should it run away or get lost.
5. Allow the dog plenty of daily exercise. While dog breeds have different energy levels, all dogs need an active lifestyle to promote health and happiness. Frequently walk leashed dog on apartment grounds and neighborhood areas. Find a local dog park and promote dog socialization and exercise in a safe, confined environment. Do not let your dog roam free about the apartment complex and courtyard areas. Additionally, give your dog time to play while at home-- provide plenty of play and chew toys that, while supervised, can help alleviate dog boredom and keep gums and teeth healthy.
6. Schedule regular veterinarian visits. Your dog should be up-to-date on all vaccinations, be spayed or neutered, hold a county license and be healthy. Regular veterinarian check-ups will help ensure a long and healthy life for your dog. Promote a clean shiny coat (with less shedding) with bi-monthly dog baths at a local grooming facility. Feed your dog nutritious food and allow it continuous access to fresh drinking water.
7. Train the dog on basic obedience skills. Complete a basic obedience class with your dog to help prevent poor canine behaviors and increase positive responses from your dog. Your dog should master bathroom training, walking on a leash and socialization, and respond to the commands "sit," "come," "down" and "no barking."
8. Consider crate-training your dog. Crates can help establish a consistent schedule and safe environment for an apartment-living dog. Additionally, many landlords appreciate crate-confining dogs when not in the apartment, as this helps prevent potential property destruction.
9. Introduce dog to apartment neighbors. While not all apartment dwellers will be dog-lovers, take the necessary steps to introduce your dog to close neighbors and other dogs that frequent the apartment area. Socializing your dog is an essential step in a high-traffic, crowded environment such as apartment complexes.
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