Your tips on having a dog in a flat

[Burpalot]

DP and I would dearly love a dog but are not in a position to move home at the moment. He had dogs throughout childhood as his family still have them. My parents have a dog (so we're not completely naive).

We live in a good size two bed modern flat. Open plan living area. No garden but a large balcony. DP WFH full time, and I imagine I'll be WFH more once this is over.

Theres a canal path right outside the flat and a park 10 mins walk away. Big country parks and national trust places a short drive.

I'm looking for tips really if you've had a dog in a flat/apartment. What works? What doesn't? What should we bear in mind that we perhaps may not have thought of? Thank you

[Potterspotter]

Why does an ‘active’ dog need a small patch of garden? I agree about the potty training although that’s mostly just a question of the difficulty for the owner but an active dog needs outside exercise and company, not a backdoor to a garden.

[SheldonSaysSo1]

I would never have a dog in the flat. Someone I know has one through no fault of their own and she has adapted very well.
For this dog it was a better option than the conditions she lived in before and she is so loved. However, she is walked three times a day (despite not being an active breed) to allow for toileting, plus an early morning quick trip too. The first thing they have to do is get up and dressed to take the dog to the toilet rather than just open the back door. The same in the evening and when unwell.
I couldn't imagine having to do that every 20 minutes when toilet training and all through the night.
The only thing that might work is adopting an older dog (one who isn't too active) that would have a much better life loved with you than in a kennel.

[ParisInTheSpringtime]

Absolutely agree @Potterspotter about daycare. Perfectly acceptable.

[Potterspotter]

I vehemently disagree that there is a problem with daycare either, as long as the daycare is good, and the dog is happy it’s a great idea. My retriever had a charmed life and was very happy. He went to doggy daycare throughout his happy long life and later had a dog walker when he preferred a slower potter about.

Dog shares are a wonderful idea too, I wish they were easier to arrange as it shares the costs and the joy.

[vanillandhoney]

Day care should just be for the odd day. Not fair on the dog.

I totally disagree.

There is nothing wrong with regular daycare. A good daycare takes a limited amount of dogs, and has a good routine of exercise, play and sleep, just as if the dog was at home.

Dogs shouldn't come home from daycare so tired they can barely keep their eyes open. Our local one is excellent (I've used her when we've gone on holiday as she does boarding too) - she takes a small number of dogs, takes them on two walks a day (split into groups depending on breed and personality), and has set "down time" sessions throughout the day. She also includes basic obedience and training in her walks and when she does feeding etc.

Why is it seen as perfectly acceptable to have a child that goes to full-time nursery, but it's expected that people are home 24/7 for their dogs? As long as the dog is well cared for and happy, it doesn't matter where that happens. Mine (in normal times) goes to my in-laws when I can't take him to work with me and he absolutely loves his second home.

[NoMorePoliticsPlease]

@ouch321
Your choice of breed is not a good one. Large dogs and need working to be healthy. Day care should just be for the odd day. Not fair on the dog.

[OliveToboogie]

I am greyhound fan also. Adopted one last year. Love of my life now. Greyhounds are very quiet and gentle. After a 20 mins walk its home to snooze on the sofa till dinner time. Very clean they lick their fur like cats. Deffo fit into flat living.

[Potterspotter]

I used to take mine out 4-5 times per day, early morning, just before bed evening, mid morning, mid pm/lunch and dinner time. He would need one really decent walk of at least an hour every day.

Yes my neighbours did mysteriously buy a plug in air freshener when we moved in! I used to hoover the communal stairs from time to time (I was the only one) to get rid of mud and fur.

Mine didn’t bark much - only when he was bored or lonely, so make sure you can avoid that. If you don’t get a puppy, you’ll know what sort of bark level you are getting into.

Communal stair use is rarely completely fair - kids for example also cause much more wear and tear, biking enthusiasts trail mud in etc.

[terrigrey]

Check your lease first.
Other people in your building might not appreciate you getting a dog.

The smell & extra dirt from a dog travels to the communal area (my best friend lives in a flat with communal area, her neighbour has a dog and the communal area stinks of dog) I have a dog myself and I have go the least sensitive nose - so it really must stink to 'normal' people.

You need a breed which doesn't bark much or is very active during the day.
I personally don't think it's a great idea, more for the neighbours than the dog.
My dog barks at the postie, likes indoor ball games and yelping with excitement when visitors arrive, I'm in a house so these things don't affect anyone else (apart from the poor postie).

[vanillandhoney]

Assuming you're allowed a dog, you have a couple of things to consider.

Mine didn't give much indication at all that he needed to go at first, so be prepared for lots of accidents on your carpets at first, especially if you can't easily plonk him out the back door!

Also please please make sure your balcony is safe. Mine could easily jump over a balcony given the inclination - he can leap over our 6ft garden wall from standing - luckily our neighbour is quite happy to pick him up and return him again

The other consideration is stairs - puppies shouldn't really go up/down stairs until they're fully grown, so large breeds probably aren't a good idea, neither are delicate breeds like dachshunds. Make sure you have a breed you can carry up the stairs at it's adult weight if necessary (thinking vet visits/injuries etc).

Otherwise it shouldn't be any different to a house - good luck! Except maybe don't get a breed known for being vocal as you have neighbours above and below to consider!

[ouch321]

@Potter

Aw, sorry to hear.

Yes I have a lift luckily. Might you be able to tell me a little more about your experiences? Eg Did it bother your neighbour at all in terms of barking?

How often did you have to run downstairs for a bathroom break? The building does have a communal courtyard out back which I suppose we could use for that purpose. No grass, just shrubbery area and picnic tables.

Not too bothered about day care costs. I think it highly unlikely I'll ever have children given my age and life situation so I guess I'm free to spend cash on daycare for a dog rather than nursery fees.

[Burpalot]

Thanks all! Lots of food for thought. We're on the first floor but because of how the block is arranged it'd be ground floor entrance to the canal and down minimal stairs or in the lift to the car.

[twinboymumma]

I live in a 2 bed flat with two cavalier spaniels. Plenty of room for us all. The only tricky part was when they were puppies and not being able to just let them out in the garden while toilet training. Ideally get dogs that don't need too much exercise as they can't run around outside like others that have garden space.

[HunterAngel]

I’ve had a greyhound in my ground floor flat for five years now. No garden but a park right outside the front door.

Definitely check the lease, there will be a clause in there about pets. Mine says pets allowed unless causing nuisance to neighbouring flats.

Do think carefully about the breed, larger dogs tend to need more exercise. I definitely wouldn’t recommend a working breed. Greyhounds are pretty easy to take care off (yes I’m biased!). They actually only require about twenty minutes exercise a day and are quite clean. I housetrained my girl in one day.

Downside is they do chase. Squirrels, cats, birds, small fluffy dogs. And they are strong. A greyhound can go from 0 to 40 in about three strides so be sure you have the strength to hold them back, they don’t have great homing sense so get lost easily. And they can get over a 6foot fence if sufficiently motivated so a secure balcony is a must!

[Potterspotter]

I had a retriever @ouch321 in a flat - the doggy day care is vital, as long as you're fully signed up to the cost of that, they're wonderful dogs. I miss mine terribly. I'm hoping you've got a lift - an old arthritic retriever and 3 floors would be too difficult. It's easy to say I could've PTS my retriever a year before he did go but that's easier to say at the outset than when you've had them for N years.

[Potterspotter]

the carrying size is spot on too - we had a big dog, we had a sling but it was a struggle towards the end with arthritis. DDog died of an unrelated condition after making it to an amazing age but the last year or so would've been nicer if we could've carried him up and down stairs.

[ouch321]

Nothing helpful to add but I've always wanted a golden retriever. Am 3rd floor flat, no balcony or garden.

My boss is saying people can WFH a bit more when things go back as it's worked out ok during Corona.

So I was thinking day care for 3 days and work at home 2 days.

Anyone had a golden in a similar situation?

Is it at all feasible?

[tabulahrasa]

Oh and I assume you’re upstairs? If so... I’d suggest a size you can carry, because otherwise you’re kind of limiting life expectancy to how well they can get up and down stairs.

[tabulahrasa]

Get a housetrained one, housetraining a puppy without being able to just go out into the garden is a pain...and usually takes a lot longer.

Will you actually have free time to take it out if you’re WFH? Because it’d need more walks than a dog with a garden, not for exercise so much as toileting.

[AwrightDoreenTakeAFuckinDayOff]

Just a quick thing about your balcony. Please make it safe.

The dog I care for jumped a 5ft fence yesterday without a blink. In all the years I’ve walked her she has walked round a stick rather than hop over it.

I have never known her jump. Ever.

So expect the worst balcony wise.

[Veterinari]

Hi OP

Not really much different to owning a dog in a house except they tend to get more walks!

I'd recommend not getting a puppy as toilet training will be challenging. You can use the balcony of course but once the dog learns to go there you risk it being a lifetime habit and if you enjoy your balcony you might not want it smelling like a dog toilet.

Older dogs are easier to train in this respect than puppies, so that's something to consider. I'd suggest a rescue but sadly lots of shelters have weird ideas about dogs in flats so that might not work, but might be worth investigating rehoming an adult dog. Try many tears rescue.

Re noise and neighbours, if your flat is decently constructed this is not much different to living in a terrace

Have a think about nearby walks and safe nighttime toilet spots - do you have somewhere nearby? Also be prepared for dog walks in all weather.

I'd suggest something like a greyhound. Big dogs but they curl up small, are quiet, are happy to potter about and with shortish walks

I'd avoid breeds prone to reactivity or bred for guarding just because you don't want a dog that barks at every noise. My dog quickly learned the neighbours noises and only barks if there's a stranger in the communal stair, not a neighbour.

Where I live dogs in flats are quite normal and no one bats an eye or asks permission

[Tulipvase]

Also, from my understanding, blanket bans on pets aren’t allowed and they (Freeholder/management company) should consider any requests and offer reasons as to why the request is refused. Consumer Act 2015 I think.

My experience of management companies/freeholders is a mixture of laziness and greed!

[Potterspotter]

I'd go for a rescue that was potty trained rather than a puppy for a flat - we had a dog in a flat but we moved when he was grown. I've got friends who've effectively litter trained their dogs but you can avoid all of that by going for an older dog. I'd think about the noise and tolerance of your neighbours too, mine were fine but some people do really hate dogs and good to know that beforehand - whether anxiety or allergies etc. Check out the dogs on leads threads on mumsnet!

[ParisInTheSpringtime]

By the way, we are allowed dogs on the lease and there are another couple of dogs in our block of six flats.

[ParisInTheSpringtime]

We have a dog in our flat. As long as you exercise them enough it makes no difference in that respect.

It’s a pain having to take her downstairs for her toilets, but a lot easier now she is not a puppy and can hold it to a certain extent, and let us know she wants to go out.

I lived in a flat when she was tiny and I was forever running up and down stairs for toilet trips.