Dogs and apartments

STBX and I are going through a divorce. For a while, he wanted me to find Yogi a new home, but I wasn't for that. For now, I am living with my parents and STBX has Yogi at our house. But, when our house gets sold, I will be moving into a 2 bedroom apartment. The apartment that I'm moving into isn't much smaller than our house (we had a small ranch) but there is no yard, obviously. Yogi is about 50 pounds and has a lot of energy. I am taking Yogi with me, but I'm scared that I wont be able to give him the home he deserves because I will be in an apartment. Do any of you had larger dogs in apartments? I'm committed to walks, taking him to my parents in house in the summer so he can swim in their pool, and the dog park. Is that going to be enough for him? Or, should I try to find him a new home. It makes me so sad to even think about

Re: Dogs and apartments

no you don't need to find him a home - where we lived lots of people had dogs - you just have to walk them and get them enough exercise which you plan on doing - dogs adjust well - they like schedules and routines - so if you figure out a good schedule -get up walk the dog, come back home get ready for work, then mattering how long the dog goes needing to go out wither have a dog walker or lunch or take the dog for walk after work and before bed

it can be done - it may take a few adjustments and even if you don't need a dog walker every day - i reomend finding one and having there contact for emergencies -ie stuck at work late or other things - i have one and i have a house but my dog stays inside during the day

my dog is 18 months and he sleeps all day when i am gone - he does not even chew bones which he loves to do when i am home -

good luck you defiently have the right idea it will just take a little bit to get your routine going with him

Re: Dogs and apartments

Growing up we had a dog about that size in our tiny little 1 BR apartment. She was loved and walked regularly and it was fine. I know the feeling though- don't feel guilty! He'll just be happy to be with his family!

Re: Dogs and apartments

I have a 60lb lab in an apartment. Honestly, it just takes a little bit extra effort, but it's really not a big deal. She goes for an hour or so walk/run in the morning and then again in the evening. If I am home with her all day she may get another mid afternoon walk if I am trying to postpone work. She goes out about 2 times during the day if I'm home, but if I'm not she gets crated.

I'm expecting a a baby in April and I have no idea how the bathroom schedule is going to work with a little one. I'm totally not comfortable leaving the baby alone so I'm really working on getting her on some bathroom schedule. Right now she goes out on demand, but hopefully I can get her on a more regular bathroom schedule.

I would highly suggest a crate. I know it might be a little difficult if he isn't used to it, but I find that if she is roaming around the apartment she sees stuff out the windows and will bark, but if she is crated she tends to sleep and relax. I really really needed to make sure she wasn't a crazy barker because our walls are paper thin.

We take her to the dog park or the beach in the summer daily. Now she goes to the park around the house for some running off leash in the afternoon. We also take her to my parents house about once or twice a week where she can also run around off leash.

We have had her in the apartment since she was 8 weeks. She obviously doesn't know much difference, but she is just fine here. She's lean for a lab and gets a ton of exercise. She has never chewed or had any accidents (besides when she was getting trained).

The bottom line of this whole very long post is exercise. If he is tired I don't think it makes much of a difference where he lives. You'll get a routine and it will seem like you always lived this way. Hope this helps a bit.

ETA: spelling.

Message edited 11/9/2010 4:23:11 PM.

Re: Dogs and apartments

We had an 80lb it mix in our apartment before we bought our house. The apt wasn't huge but it was not small either. We went for long walks everyday afterwork and on the week ends we took him to the park and to my parents house to run in the yard. He was perfectly happy and content. you definitely do not need to find him a new home. It's a big commitment to go on walks every day and to go to the parks or somewhere for the dog to run around every weekend but as long as you are committed to it, it's worth it!

Re: Dogs and apartments

Thanks girls! This makes me feel so much better about being able to keep Yogi. He was my first baby, and I love him to pieces. He is very active so it made mer nervous, but I think I can handle the walks and taking him to the park/beach when its warmer outside. Also, my son loves him, so I know it would be good for all of us to keep him with us and not have to find him a new family.