To think it's cruel to keep a dog in an upper floor flat with just a balcony

[Username64110]

..if you're not going to commit to regular walks.

The dog only has a small balcony to do its business on which then has to be cleaned daily so it's able to be used by the family too.

Surely it's better all round to take the dog for a walk round the block once a day, at least.

To clarify although it goes without saying, I don't mean the family are shitting on the balcony.. but they use it for fresh air.

Well yes a dog should get taken out once a day at least

They may still choose to do their business at home though

Of course they should walk the dog although sometimes I do foget
Its best for dogs to have a garden/yardspace at a minimum.
What breed is it? You may get away with a shih-tzu, less so a Husky.

YANBU. Poor dog needs regular walks. Not just for exercise but for mental simulation too. Also depends on the dog too. Having something small like a chihuahua or a breed known for being damn lazy (like greyhounds), flat life might not be so bad. Something like a husky or spaniel.. that is cruel.

It's a Staffordshire bull terrier mixed with something else, I'm not sure what. Aged 5-6

You have reminded me of a flat I lived in when working overseas years ago. The flat below had a huge alsatian which barked a lot and was kept on the the balcony. I felt so sorry for that dog.

All over the world, people have dogs, usually small ones, in flats and don't have this obsession with walking them and they seem to have pretty happy lives.

@HideousKinky

You have reminded me of a flat I lived in when working overseas years ago. The flat below had a huge alsatian which barked a lot and was kept on the the balcony. I felt so sorry for that dog.

That's so sad. Why on earth do people get dogs if they can't be bothered to look after them, it's beyond me

Why are you watching and monitoring them so closely is my first question.

@AnaofBroceliande

All over the world, people have dogs, usually small ones, in flats and don't have this obsession with walking them and they seem to have pretty happy lives.

But are they only happy because they've never known anything else?

If you kept a child couped up for years but made sure they were fed and loved they may well appear happy If they've never known anything else, but that doesn't make it right.

Dogs need exercise.

@Brazilianut

Why are you watching and monitoring them so closely is my first question.

I've got nothing better to do, clearly.

It sounds like my friends neighbour. She couldn’t work out why she kept finding a puddle in one corner of her balcony and then one night while sat outside with a glass of wine realised that the upstairs neighbour was letting the dog wee on the balcony and it was dripping through onto hers

She confronted them as well and they just could not comprehend why she was annoyed by having their dog’s wee onto her balcony

We have very small dog in an apartment. He does just fine but I take him out 4 times a day for a walk. He loves to lie in the sun, and follows the sunny spots around. He also loves to lie on the back of a couch in front of the window and survey the goings on 8 floors down. I think he feels big and strong from on high.

A neighbour did have a big dog for a bit, and was letting him use the balcony for his "business." It was indeed dripping onto the balcony below. There was a huge outcry and the dog was rehomed.

That does sound horrible for the dog. Are you sure they never go out with it though? Maybe they do very early or very late?

@Username64110

It's a Staffordshire bull terrier mixed with something else, I'm not sure what. Aged 5-6

I have a staffy aged 7, adopted him when he was 3. Yes of course the dog should be walked, our dog gets one small walk in the morning and a 5km walk in the evening.

I don't think the rest of your post about it being a flat is too significant though. We have a garden but my dog would die before spending time out there by himself, he'll only use the garden while we're out there which is only really during the summer. Would rather be snoozing on the couch beside us. I feel bad for dogs who are left locked out of the house for half the day.

A staffy would need at least 2 walks a day regardless of where it lives. It must have lots of pent up energy. It's sad. When he snaps at someone he'll get blamed. My dog gets 3 walks a day & we have decent sized garden.

Poor dog. We have a tiny Lhasa Apso who gets at least 2 walks a day. Staffie will be going mad unless it's very elderly.