Anyone a dog owner in a flat?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

We are at the very early stages of considering getting a dog. As in research mode, looking at taking at least a year to consider what would suit, lifestyle etc.

One thing I'm serious about is if anyone is a dog owner in a flat, and how that works for you / the breed you have.

We live in a built up area (lots of green spaces for dog walks though) and most properties in the vicinity are flats (houses converted rather than purpose built). We see plenty of people with dogs in the area so clearly some dogs live in flats, but I can't really just walk up to strangers and start interrogating them

I wfh so dog would be with me 100% of the time, we have two older primary aged dc, and my dh is home by 4pm every day. So lots of people around to play with / train / enrich doggy, but the lack of private outdoor space means no playing fetch in the garden in the mornings etc which I may struggle with.

We spend a lot of time on walks, at the park, beach etc and do mainly self catering cottage hols in UK, so feel like that side of thing sort of suits.

Anyone have a dog in a flat? How do you find it?

One thing I'm curious about not serious.

You have a KCC and not a chance I’d get a dog living in a flat (unless a garden flat).

the joy my dog gets from flowing in and out of the garden Al day

and the convenience of not having to go on little pee walks!

I have a KCS

As I write this… patio door open and dog outside having a roam

In my opinion the thing a dog wants most is time with it's people. Looks like you can provide that.

So long as you realise you'll need to be walking the dog a lot and get the right dog I'm sure you'll be fine.

Get an adult dog not a puppy, then you know it is a good fit rather than hoping it'll mature to be one one.

It is tricky. My dog also spends most of the time from April - October chilling out in the garden. If the doors are open he sits out there. They prefer the cooler temps, breeze and sights/sounds of being outside. Tbh I would struggle to replicate that enrichment in a flat. Sorry...

But lots of people do have dogs in flats. But it is hard to do outdoor consistent training with a puppy I'd imagine. We spent hours each day practicing recall in the garden with no distractions. Would you be willing do rent an enclosed field to do that and swallow the expense for the first year?

Also, how would they toilet throughout the day? Do you have the sort of job where you can drop everything and go out as soon as they tell you they need it? You'll need to whilst pup is young

A rescue would be difficult to get,I'd imagine, so your only option is probably a pup

I've professionally petsit lots of dogs in flats and apartments. Usually smaller breeds like pugs, frenchies, yorkies.

It's not something I'd sign up for full time tbh. The hassle of taking them out to pee when it's freezing cold and pissing rain or every five minutes when they're ill, it just isn't for me.

I’ve got a cocker spaniel and live in a first floor flat. I won’t lie, it’s bloody hard work. We probably go out about six times a day for a walk, sometimes that’s just a potter around the block but it’s still a lot of walking. Perfectly pleasant in the summer but miserable when it’s cold, dark and wet out.

You have to be even more mindful of noise, so keeping barking to a bare minimum, preferably none at all, which is challenging.

He’s getting old now and there are times when I have to carry him up and down the stairs because he can’t manage them.

I have to be honest and say I wouldn’t do it again.

I have a dog in always lived in non-garden flats. My dog is not a working/very active one. She gets 3 walks a day in a local park and that is perfectly fine for her. But I would not keep a border collie in a flat.

Check your management agreement that dogs are allowed in your flat block

We got a KC reg puppy (pointer) when we lived in a flat. She was two years old when we moved to a house. It was completely fine, she was taken out many times a day.

We have a house with a garden now, and she doesn’t go out there by herself, because she wants to be with us, so we have to accompany her and tell her to have a wee.

Good luck OP, it’s doable with the right dog. Ours is lazy as anything, she’ll be coaxed out for a big walk, and then very happy to lie on the sofa all day.

We don't have a management agreement. It's a pair of two victoriana flats and each flat owns the freehold for the other. No one oversees any part of the property.

It depends what the garden situation is.

I've done it twice

1. In a flat with direct access to a communal insecure garden - pain in the arse as every time he needed a wee I had to be dressed.

1. In a garden flat with direct access to a private secure concrete yard - better, but not much fun for the dog.

We're now in a house with a grass garden (!) and I'd underestimated how much ddog would love sunbathing on the lawn and going for a sniff.

If you've got your own secure garden then it's really no difference to living in a bungalow - upstairs neighbours are irrelevant to a dog's welfare. If you're on the 12th floor with no balcony then you're making a rod for your own back.

We used to live in a flat. Had no issues at all, pup was enriched and we just went down to the outdoor green space for a quick toilet before obviously taking on a good walk/two walks a day.

We now have a house with a garden and even with the patio doors open she still prefers to stay in with us and will rarely if ever go out alone so no issues at all

Small secure courtyard (private). I have one teams meeting a week, of about 30mins, so outside of that can stop and let them out / walk them etc.

Difficult because it really depends on the dog.

I live in a house with a garden, but my own dog would most likely be fine if we ever moved to a flat for some reason because he is a lazy toad who prefers the sofa to the garden (usually even declines to nip out for a wee/poo and would rather just hold it until he goes out for his walks!)

When I did live in a flat (pre-dog!), next door had two dogs who used to whine and bark all the time. Those dogs would have been far better suited to having access to a garden.

So you’re top flat?

Op I really wouldn’t. For your family. For your downstairs flat opener. And for your dog

Hypothetical dog

No grass?

Upstairs flat (maisonette).

Downstairs neighbour has 3x small dogs, not sure the breed sort of shit zu looking. Neighbour has serious anxiety levels so doesn't talk to anyone on the street so I can't really gauge from her how she finds flat/dog ownership.

It wouldn't worry me then, especially if you've got direct access.

I'd consider installing some plants though, if you haven't already, to add interest. https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/wellbeing-and-care/dog-friendly-garden

She’s ground floor. Does she have any outdoor space leading directly
off her flat?

No grass. No space really for grass. Lots of pot plants round the edge, and all the yards open out into a shared alleyway.

What breed do you have?

So won’t bring any joy to the dog. Just a toilet really?