Can my MIL get a (small) dog when she lives in a flat?

[HepburnKNotA]

She has NO garden, just a very small terrace.
It’s a conversion flat, London, first floor. Downstairs neighbour has small dog (but has the small garden).

She is near a park for walks.

I’m thinking more about the late-night wee situation. (The dog, not her!! )

Cat not an option, she hates them and just won’t do it.

We really really really feel a pet would help with her mental health (she is lonely/has no routine)

Can this possibly work??!!

Thanks so much everyone! Weareallsquare absolutely no need to apologise!! We are all huge dog lovers here so under no circumstances would we take on or let MIL take on a dog without thinking it all through. Thanks for the help!

Yes I do think Mil could offer a lovely home to a little dog and we are always on hand to help/support/dog-sit!

My mum has a rescue dog and no garden. It forces her out of the house several times a day. I am eternally grateful to her dog for that.

Greyhounds are perfect for flats. They need about 20 mins exercise a day and sleep the rest of the time.

I think I'd choose by temperament rather then by size of dog. Something relatively lazy that only needs a few short works would be better then a small dog that needs loads of entertaining.

no

I've always had dogs in a flat, even puppies. My boy has a long walk in the morning and a long one in the afternoon. I take him to the corner last thing at night. He's shows no interest whatsoever in going out in between his walks - they are long walks though. Personally I'd look at a terrier of some kind - Scottie, Westie maybe a miniature schnauzer. Toy breeds can often be yappy and high maintenance and hard to toilet train.

Thanks! She does love Scotties, that’s a great idea.

Have a look at a Frenchie or frenchie cross. We’ve got a Frenchie cross JRT and she’s as soft as shit, doesn’t need lots and lots of walking and is very even tempered.

I wouldn't advise a terrier for a first dog. They need a lot of exercise and can be quite noisy and stubborn.

Of course. I used to live in a flat with my dog and I started sleeping in comfy black leggings as pjs. First thing in the morning I got straight up put my jacket and shoes on and took her across the road to the grassy bit for a no1/2 then back home breakfast and properly dressed then out for little walks every three-four hours.

I’m not a dog owner, but all the small dogs I know tend to be big barkers, might that be a problem?

My friends have two small dogs in a flat. They are trained to go outside on multiple small walks a day, but also trained to use a littler tray if told to (I'm assuming if they need to to outside or walk times or in middle of night or whatever). I don't see a problem with a smaller dog.

I have hairless dogs and they hate going out in winter so are pass trained. You can get washable reusable puppy pads so night time weed aren't an issue. Also covers the odd day if she is sick and can't be walked. I can highly recommend chihuahua's and Chinese crested ( both hairless and powder puff) as the perfect lap dogs that enjoy walks but don't need masses of exercise. They just want cuddles and attention.

I’m not a dog owner, but all the small dogs I know tend to be big barkers, might that be a problem?

In my experience small dogs only bark because they don't get enough exercise and are treated like lapdogs when they're not. Dogs of all sizes need plenty of work, training and exercise to be calm and happy.

I know some fantastic small dogs who never bark, because they get two good walks a day and plenty of attention.