I want a puppy. What is the reality (highs and lows) of puppy ownership - especially in a small apartment?

First you have to ask yourself how much you like your carpets. Then go out and buy a schipperke. They do not get to big, and are really low maintenance. I love mine.Sorry about the kitten.

I have a small Papillon that loves walks, gets excited when anyone comes home and has not trashed a single thing in my house. She’s housetrained to a fault (she’ll hold in her poop and get constipated, but won’t crap in the house). She’s a pretty wonderful dog.

Be warned though; Papillon’s shed all over the place. My entire house is covered with white hairs, particularly the dark carpets.

I have a yellow lab in a pretty small house. Dogs shed everywhere and they’re always excited, wanting to run around and play and do things. I’d feel bad for a dog alone all day in a small apartment, because being walked twice a day wouldn’t be that much stimulation and exercise. It’s nice to have a fenced backyard and be able to let my dog out to run around and go to the bathroom, because sometimes I’m not feeling well enough to walk him. If it’s just you, with no backyard, you would have to walk the dog all the time no matter what, or hire a walker. Another thing is that an apartment is a relatively small, enclosed space, and with a puppy that hasn’t been trained yet, your apartment will quickly start to smell like dog and pee.

I think that you getting a dog could be an ethical thing to do if you were rescuing a dog from an animal shelter, because it would definitely be an improvement in the dog’s situation. Your heart really seems to be in the right place, and I think you’d do your best to provide the dog with a good home. I think it would be best for you to adopt a small dog. A puppy would probably have a hard time by itself in your apartment, so it might be better to adopt an older dog that is trained and has calmed down somewhat. You might also want to see if you can hire someone for a mid-day walk or outing to a park, or look into a dog daycare.

My daughter moved in with me to go to school and she brought a little Bichon/poodle. He is just the sweetest little thing, so loving and yet thinks he’s a police dog when the poor paperboy comes to the door. He was left home all day for my daughter to be in school and me at work, just fine.

Dogs, especially puppies, need socialization. Dogs are pack-minded, and spending long hours alone, even with long a.m. and p.m. walks, will effect your dog’s mental development.

With that being said, you might want to check out dog breed selectors like this one to help you narrow down the options.

In general, I would suggest you not leave a puppy alone for more than 4 hours at a time. Dogs who spend large amounts of time alone develop destructive behavior, separation anxiety, and sometimes fear aggressiveness.

Also, you should consider crate training if you haven’t done so already. It will provide a den-like environment when you’re not around, and eliminate any chance of the puppy getting into any shenanigans. Perhaps you could employ a dog walker or have family that could come over to visit and walk the puppy mid-day?

Choose a breed that doesn’t bark a lot (neighbors) and that’s not to small. Little dogs have a hard time getting house broken.
My dog is cracking me up right now. She is sound asleep, snoring and lying on her back with her feet in the air. Shee seems to be tapping one foot, then another. She is a Queensland and to active and yippie for an apartment.

I agree with @Mavericksjustdoinganotherflyby….replace your carpets with tile or wood laminates first….:)

If you have an apartment/small place…I really feel you need to have a small dog. I know that some people have larger dogs, but I don’t think it’s fair to the dog…larger active dogs need to have a place to roam.

That being said, if you are kind enough to consider adopting an older, mature dog that has been given away or not wanted, then they will usually be happy to have a comfy big cushion to sleep on for most of the day, even if they are larger dogs. Older greyhounds who have been abused terribly are some of the sweetest dogs possible and they are low maintenance and don’t shed. Lots of older, unwanted, senior dogs make the most loving companions and they are so grateful because they do know what you have done for them….I am convinced of that, having had older dogs

Do not, do not, do not…buy your dog at a pet store or from a puppy mill breeder! These dogs have huge problems and you are also supporting cruelty to animals. Some private breeders keep their animals in tiny sheds breeding them in cages one atop the other where they see no light, no day and do nothing except have puppies and eat and sleep. I am appalled at how people can do this to animals. If you insist on getting a puppy make sure the breeder is AKC registered and that you are allowed to see where they are being raised. If a breeder does not let you, or wants to meet you at a “designated place”, then be wary.

I am a firm believer in adopting unwanted dogs that will be euthanized if you don’t take them in….“rescued dogs”. People are unaware that there are rescue dog organizations for every breed under the sun. Just “Google” the rescue organization for the breed you wish to acquire. For example, if you have your heart set on a Papillon…look up “Papillon Rescue”. If you want a Lab, look up “Labrador Rescue”. Each state usually has an organization. And many times, these dogs (especially with the economy) are already house-trained and their owners just could not care for them anymore.

Do your research, @Judi said above….figure out the sort of dog that will suit your lifestyle. I don’t think dogs should be left all day alone for long periods of time. They do get lonely. So, take that into account too, if you work full-time. Then, again, a dog that was destined for the otherworld will be much happier spending the day in your apartment than in a cold, dank, kennel not knowing his fate.

Think hard before getting a dog…..lots of people do it on emotions and not practicalities. It isn’t fair to the dog or to you unless you weigh everything carefully. I say this from experience. I have adopted dogs that were no trouble (thankfully) BUT dogs have vet bills and some dogs need more vet care than others. Figure this in, too.

I have had Scotty Terriers and Yorkies….and the terrier personality is one that I adore. Another beautiful and loving quiet dog that was developed as a lap dog and is not handbag is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (known as Cavvies). They are very popular in the UK and have a sweet temperament (they do shed). Yorkies, Scotties, Bichons do not shed.

Yorkies here in the UK are not handbag sized..so my Yorkies are just ducky! Scotties, Bichons, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Papillons, and senior bigger older dogs that won’t need a lot of activity during the day if you are gone (Labs, Retrievers, Greyhounds, Lurchers for example) would also do well in an apartment.

Good luck….and please do consider adopting an older (not puppy) rescue dog. It’s just my plug for what I consider to be a humane cause that brings happiness to both the owner and the dog.

My daughter’s little Bichon is a rescue dog. We call them SPCA dogs.-just the name of our organization.

@faye….YAY!!!! Bichon Rescue Dog!

I am talking about America, Faye…..America has Pedigree Rescue Services in every state…...too….if you are set on a particular breed and your local ASPCA doesn’t have one.

I have had dogs in apartments and it is not easy for dog or owner. There were many times I did not feel like taking the dog for a walk in the rain, snow, sleet, heat. I felt guilty when I left for work and knew I wouldn’t be home for hours. I felt guilty if I went out at night and left the dog alone after it had been alone all day.

This is all doubly true if it is a pup. They really are like infants except you can’t get arrested for leaving them home alone.

Maybe you should consider getting another cat and don’t let it out of the house unless on a leash. I have a cat who walks on a leash very nicely. So it is possible.

If you really feel you must have a dog then perhaps you would be better off going to the SPCA and adopting an older dog, would not be as needy as a pup and you would be saving a life. I don’t know if a breed rescue would allow you to adopt a dog with your living and work arrangements.

We have an spca mutt, I think part beagle/ part hound. She is sweet but a lot of work. Fortunately, she doesn’t bark much but she is into EVERYTHING. Honestly, it is like having a toodler again. What I like the best about her is that she truely seems to love every member of our family and has no favorite…she is thrilled to see each of us and searches the house for every person. The crate is a must to keep her safe from destroying the house or eating everything while we are gone. Honestly, I forgot how much work a puppy is…but I am soooo happy we have her.

Pugs are very easy going are called little dogs that act like big dogs.king charles spaniels,miniture poodles,Short legged jack russells (not the big long legged ones they are more hyper.)pekaneese and rat terriers.I crate train and Dogs can be paper trained.Mix breeds are great.Dont buy a puppy from a pet store 99% of those come from puppy mills.

If you don’t have a yard, you’ll have to take the dog outside for potty last thing at night and first thing in the morning, as well as the 2 walks in the middle of the day. The length of time a dog can be left alone depends on many factors, including the age and temperament of the dog, and how often its left (ie every day, or once in a while). It’s cruel to leave any dog alone if you work full time and are out the house for 8 hours (or even 2 hours for a young puppy) every day and aside from anything else you’ll come home to find your apartment wrecked, with pee and poop all over the place, your furniture and belongings chewed, because the dog was bored. You could cage the dog all day to protect your furniture but then you’d end up with a mentally-disturbed pet.

If your apartment will be empty while you’re at work or school every day, I think you would be better off with a cat.

Get a beagle! They are fun.. but I don’t know what a handbag dog is.. so…

Do you live upstairs? It’s going to be fun taking the dog out to.. do its doody .. and have to go up and down those stairs every time XD .. elevator?

Meh.. I donno… I just got a beagle.. she’s awesome.

Remember a puppy is the same as a 2 year old and they need a lot of attention and are high maintenance as far as time needed. The crate described by others is a must for the youngin’s but it is very hard for a 2 year old to stay still in a crate for 8 hours a day. Read up on the internet. You have GREAT advice here in these answers.

My boyfriend’s parents recently got a Golden Retriever puppy and we live in a townhouse. From what I can tell, it’s a whole lot of work. Just from babysitting him for a couple of hours I wanted to throw in the towel. Puppies seem to always get into everything and attempt to eat everything they can fit in their mouths. If you don’t have time to be home with the puppy constantly to discipline it and take it out for a bathroom break then I would recommend a dog of an older age. Don’t get me wrong, they’re the cutest and sweetest little things out there, they’re just a lot of work.

One thing you may want to consider is getting an adult dog. Puppies have to be trained – potty trained, socialized (which you cannot do if they are indoors 24/7, and which if you don’t do they will become aggressive to other dogs or even other people, no matter what the breed), and obedience trained. They have to get all of their sets of shots, then spayed or neutered (if you don’t neuter them, they will piss all over your house, and if you don’t spay them, they will spot when they are in heat).

Why is it that you want a puppy? It will eventually grow into an adult, and an adult dog will love you and bond with you just as much as a puppy will, but it will be a lot less work and money for you in the long run.

As far as finding the right breed of dog, you can look here.

@stemnyjones…......I agree…...with the adult dog idea (see my previous response.) They really are amazingly lovely and are already trained (in most cases.)

For a small apartment, I suggest a small dog. The highs and lows are,
Pro’s
1. small dogs make great companions
2. very loving but all dogs tend to be except dogs that are bred otherwise
3. small dogs do not need a lot of room.
4. Smaller dogs live longer
5. They are easier to take on walks
6. People are not that intimidated by them as with large dogs
Now I am talking about small not teacup. Many teacups are overbred and have a lot of health issues so be careful.
1. all dogs need to be taken for walks daily. At least 20 minutes in the morning and 20 in the afternoon.
2. Potty training can be extensive. I knew a woman who had very well behaved dogs and she would have it as a puppy in a crate and dedicate the first two weeks with it potty training. The dog was not allowed to walk in the house. Only in the crate and outside for potty breaks. She would carry the puppy otherwise and not till it only did its business outside, then it wouldn’t be allowed to walk in the house freely. She said all her dogs caught on before 2 weeks. And never soiled in the house or pee.
3. Vet bill for shots and regular check ups is vital but also an extra expense.
4. Fleas can be a possiblilty but with good grooming it can be avoided.
5. You should take time to spend time with your dog. Remember he didn’t ask you to buy him and then leave him alone all the time.
6. Need to find a good dog sitter if you ever have to leave town and you can’t take him
7.Avoid terrier breeds. They tend to have a great deal of energy and may destroy things while you are gone because of too much pent up energy.
8.Dogs like to bark while you are away. Do not get a dog that howls. Your neighbors will hate you.
9. Behavior training is time consuming but well worth it.
10.You must groom all dogs regularly. Whether its a short hair or long hair dog.
11. Some dogs shed and some don’t. Most dogs related to the poodle will tend to be hypo-allergetic dogs. Maltese, is such a dog.
12. If you are going to be gone for hours on end you may want to consider two dogs so they don’t feel lonely. Dogs are pack animals and like to socialize.
13. Getting your dog fixed will help with a lot of behavior problems but you must do it by six months and can be costly.
14. Small dogs are easy to get injured by falls or careless big people or children, so you must safe proof your home and watch them around company.

You may think the small list is not as great but I have a Maltese and he gives me so much unconditional love. I would gladly adopt him again.

Something to keep in mind: DO NOT buy from a pet store. Adopt or get your puppy from a breeder. This is because most pet stores get their puppies from puppy mills, which are like concentration camps for dogs. The dogs live in horrible conditions, and females are bred over and over again, starting when they are puppies themselves during the first heat. Here is more info on getting a puppy from a good place.