Tips for Living in an Apartment With Pets

Man's best friend: always loyal, always there and always easy to love. Over the years there has been much debate over whether keeping a dog in a smaller space like an apartment is healthy for dogs. Here are a few tips to make sure that your pet has the best of both worlds; the space of a home and the convenience of apartment living!

Taking Ownership

Dogs depend on their owners for almost all of their needs, so most dogs; regardless of the breed can thrive in an apartment environment, as long as their owner is dedicated towards providing their four-legged friend with all the comforts of a house with less space to work with. This includes ensuring that one's pet is well received in their community and with the neighbors. Before adopting or purchasing your pet, make sure that your apartment is dog friendly and if there is a pet deposit that is required by the building or landlord. Additionally, many buildings have limits as to the size of the dog, so if you are planning on adopting or purchasing a larger breed like a Great Dane, make sure that you building doesn't have a 20 lb. limit.

Once you've brought your new friend home and they are all settled in, one way to ensure that your pup is the best behaved on the block is to take them through the basics of obedience training. No one's asking that you become the Dog Whisperer, but some base line training with regards to barking and running off leash are essential to keeping your dog safe in an apartment, even if the space is pet-friendly.

The Great Outdoors

Dogs are like people in that they need fresh air. Your dog may not beg to be taken out if they are house-trained, but every dog needs time outside. Would YOU like it if you went from work to home, never stepping foot outside? Your dog feels the same way. Regardless if you've chosen a low energy or medium energy dog, they will need to be walked at least once a day, if not more. Dogs that

Local dog parks are a great place for your dog to socialize with other neighborhood dogs and get out some of that pent-up energy. More and more dog parks are popping up in urban centers and are typically fenced in, so your dog can run and play while you meet your neighbors! Taking an hour out of your day to make sure your dog gets enough time to exercise and play will make a world of difference for both you and your pet and will ensure a happy and harmonious relationship not only with your pet but with the rest of your neighborhood.