question about dog poo from new owner

[newbie2018]

Hello,
So I'm seriously considering getting a dog and doing my research into it. Never ever had one so this is all new to me.

I live in a one bed flat with a medium sized roof terrace. I have a question which I feel is a bit stupid but I'm genuinely non-plussed so here I go....

Should I let my dog out to pee and poo on the terrace and if I do am I meant to let him go anywhere on it or should I dedicate a certain place for him to do his business? Also would I then pick up and bag the poo to throw away? I think in my naivety I assumed dogs dug a hole, pooed and then covered it over but I'm thinking that's not the case from what I've seen. Also my terrace is made of slabs. i do have a hose on it so could hose it down.

Grateful for any advice/enlightenment!

As long as you can commit to lots of exercise and mental stimulation I think it’s fine. It will be harder on you than on the dog! There will be time’s you’ll wish for a secure garden to chuck them in - no lie ins, or nights when you can’t face another walk. But remember a lot of people responding don’t live in London, so it’s a different dog-owning reality. That day care sounds good.

My dog is a downstairs only dog, so it’s no different to a flat in terms of space she has at home, and we have a garden but she’s stubborn about peeing in it, so we have the same sort of walk schedule as if we lived in a flat!

Concerns for me would be you need a calm dog in the house- because if you live above anyone, or in close proximity, then you don’t want an energetic thumpy barky dog for your neighbours sake as much as anything.

Have you been to Discover Dogs? That’s a great place to find out what might suit you. Have you looked at Border Terriers or perhaps a toy poodle if you like poodle crosses?

I work full time and when I am in the office mine goes to daycare. Whilst it isn't for every dog mine loves going.

There are some things to consider though. My dog has been unwell and accident prone so much that I have had to work at home for several weeks at a time as he was too ill or on restricted exercise that he couldn't go to daycare. My work is flexible so I could work around it but do have a think on what you would do in a similar situation when you had to work.

Daycare costs but I assume you have factored those costs in already.

My dog suddenly became quite barky when he hit his teenage months. I am in a detached house so it isn't much of a problem but you may find people complain being in a flat.

The rest of the issues is normal dog ownership stuff e.g. having to plan in advance if you want to go anywhere for more than a few hours. No wandering around after work as you need to get home for the dog etc.

Thanks viques that's really helpful. Not sure where I said I can't stomach dog poo or slobber or sick. I just asked what people did with their dog poo in their garden and best practice for someone like me.

Yes because work is very flexible and I often work from home and can even take him into the office Im not worried about periods where I'll have to be in. I think for my own peace of mind and because it looks like it will be beneficial for the dog as well to mix with lots of other dogs and humans I'm going to go with day care a couple
Of times a week

newbie I know you didn't mention those things, but you are by your own admission a bit naive when it comes to dog ownership, and I think it would be no bad thing to acquaint yourselves with the less savoury and more physical aspects of having a dog before you get one. Too many dogs end up being rehomed because owners can't cope with looking after them properly/ find the whole thing too much work. I'm not saying that is you, you are researching, but I think some practical experience would be useful too.

Disclaimer , I am not currently a dog owner, though I would love to have one , but know I am not in a position to treat a dog as I know it should be treated and deserves to be treated so just look longingly at the little faces on the Dogs Trust site.

If people are honest I think we'd all say we went on a massive learning curve when we got a dog!

I grew up with dogs and thought I knew a good amount about them. HA! PestDog sent me on a very steep learning curve - behaviour being the biggest aspect, but also the little things like the news that rawhide is no longer considered safe and today's discovery that he was totally unprotected against lungworm because I'd only been using Drontal People who have been following general dog chat for a few months will know I acquired him in a non standard fashion and so didn't do any reading whatsoever in advance (there wasn't really an advance as such). However, no matter how much reading I had done I would still have been on a steep learning curve! I suspect it's a bit like having a newborn baby in that regard...

Nonetheless, it's always good to learn as much as you can in advance - Discover Dogs is good for seeing breeds, but consider trying local rehoming organisations (All Dogs Matter is local and has a good reputation for instance), talking to them about what you're looking for in a dog and seeing what they have available - the problem with events like Discover Dogs is that you're never going to discover that little rescue mutt at your local rehoming organisation that would be perfect for you!

Borrow My Doggy is good for testing out a bit of dog ownership, especially if you can borrow a dog of similar breed. Volunteering with rescues. You could even consider fostering for All Dogs Matter as a sort of short term commitment dog ownership.

Pressed send too soon!

... and while you're doing the above you can be researching breeds, and keeping an eye out for your own perfect dog

The fact that you seem to be asking lots of questions, shows you are responsible and are taking ownership seriously before you commit.

I have just got my first dog, she is an 8 year old rescue and I love her to bits. These are the things that have taken me by surprise.

A few pooing accidents inside, causing stains in our carpets. This was because we were not fully in tune with her feeding and bowel habit when she first came.
She is a very nervous and reactive dog so we have to take her out when the cleaner is here,
We have to make sure she is secure before we open the door.
She barks at cats and birds in the garden, so in a flat you might want to be aware of neighbours complaints.
We are not houseproud but, my God, does she make a lot of work. Her toys are everywhere and the amount of hair she sheds could make a new dog.then the dirt from paws and tummy
She has cost quite a bit,
We paid a lot for a trainer, as she was so nervous on pavements, lunging at traffic and jumping at people.
We bought lots of toys as she is a chewer, lots of different harnesses and leads until we found the right one,
Books on training and caring for a dog, vets bills for worming, flea treatment and injections.
Calming medicine, diarreah medicine.
Then her food, bedding And blankets
She cannot be in a room with a door shut. She sleeps on my bed.

For me, none of these things are negative, just things I was not fully aware of before I got her. I could post a list 10 times as long for all her positives.

I hope this helps.

Newbie - please let us know if you do get a dog and how you get on. ...It sounds as though you've lots of good ideas and are doing the right research.

OP, My cockapoo is very sociable with people and dogs, cuddly and is lovely! Good with children and picks up commands/training very easily, especially as they're so food driven. But yes he is energetic so needs long walks or loads of play/training/being with you doing things during the day so that he doesn't get bored sitting at home. Also if you keep their hair long in winter their feet and tummy get very muddy after walks and need to be washed /wiped after walks (unless you don't mind paw prints everywhere!)

I agree with another poster earlier who said that living in a flat doesn't necessarily mean you are depriving your dog of activity. If you regularly take them on walks and include them in your day routine then it can work for you. It worked for us and being in London the dog got used to all sorts of signs/ sounds/ experiences/ travel in public transport etc.

As another suggestion if you're worried about a dog in a flat, Cavapoos are also supposed to be very similar to cockapoo just a little calmer and smaller .

The problem with getting a dog that will be exercised by a dog walker or day care for a large part of the week is that you are not there at the crucial about-to-pee-on-the-carpet moment to train where the correct pee/poo place is. I'd say you'd need at least 6 weeks at home with an adult dog watching them like a hawk before they're leavable. Can you take that much annual leave?

I have a Yorkshire Terrier and she is the most adorable little dog. She would be a perfect pet for you in a flat. She is about 7kg so not too small, loves walks but is quite happy to use a cat flap into the garden. Maybe an idea for your roof terrace?

Op l do think its possible to have a happy dog in your situation, BUT as someone who has always had dogs, getting the right breed is key to this working.

Rather than choosing the breed you fancy, choose the breed that will fit best into your curcumstances. You do have some restrictions.

Forget cockapoos they are VERY energetic and not suited to a flat and terrace, nor are springers, these dogs need 1.5 hours off lead running am and similar pm. Read up on gundog and working breeds and AVOID.

think about greyhounds, need a quick sprint twice a day and will happily curl up with you for the rest of the day.

also Cavalier King Charles spaniel, basset hound, Pekingese, Lhasa Apso are dogs that adapt well to modest exercise, and no big space to roam in.

being a first time dog owner you don't want a difficult to train breed either so avoid French Bulldogs.

My advice is to spend lots of time reading up on the needs of each possible breed, and the trainability.

Really good advice from dragon.

And yes to working breeds being very high energy. I have a working line retriever. He is seven and half and people mistake him for a 2 year old all the time. I thought he’d be a ploddy old man now - he isn’t. He still needs a lot of exercise and off lead running at that, and he is still highly energetic, bouncy and excitable.

We are in a city but with a largeish house, a garden and easy access to beach, woods and moors. It’s just about enough for him.

I do think a cavalier would be a great dog for you. I quite fancy one myself - all the ones I have met have been real personalities. Lovely characters.

@Devilishpyjamas

Yes, they are so lovely! This is my little man:

OP, if you do want to get a Cavalier, if you find a good breeder who screens the parents for genetic conditions then the health problems are less of an issue (although still worth taking into account - although most lapdogs have health issues of one kind or another, but the risk of heart disease and syringomelia in Cavs is particularly scary).

Oops, that was a pretty garbled message! I'll blame it on said Cavalier on my lap preventing me from getting to my cup of coffee...

Gorgeous - I’m in love (& I’ve always been a big dog dog lover - cavaliers have won me over with their personalities)

I don't get the angst with dogs and flats.
I live in a smallish flat. I work from home but if I am out the dog has free reign of the flat apart from the bathroom.
Because we have no garden she is taken out for two long walks a day in the woods near us on top of toilet breaks.

We are surrounded by dogs in terraces or small semi detached who are shut in one room all time when the owner is at work and if not they are in the tiny yard barking all day.

It's a standard joke here about all the dog owners we never see out all unless the weather is amazing.

The house next door has a saffie and two bull mastiff shut in a yard all day.

Our whippet in a garden less flat has a much better standard of live than them!

Yes, I don't get the angst about flats either - mine has 2 bedrooms, large living room, large kitchen, large landing area and facilities. My dog is just medium-sized so doesn't take up that much room - why does she need the run of a house (I'm bigger that her and the flat is really roomy for me)???
Haffdonga - I disagree. I've had adult rescue dogs and they have not needed housetraining. I think it unlikely a rescue adult will need much housetraining if any. My current one just wee'd on the floor once in the first night because she didn't like to wake me - that's all.

Our puppy weed on the patio until he was big enough to get down the garden stairs and in summer it STANK and I was forever bleaching the patio (which also stank).