Dog in the apartment: unhappy dog? We always say that once you have a house with a garden, it's time to have a dog! Nothing could be more wrong! In fact, a dog can just as easily be happy in an apartment!
Dog in an apartment: if you have time
The first criterion to have a dog, especially in an apartment, is to have time to devote to it. The dog is not an object. It is a sociable being that has specific needs. Taking a dog means engaging in a relationship for at least ten years. Are you ready to invest several times a day, 365 days a year for at least 10 years? If the answer is no, this may not be the right time to pick up a dog.
Dog in an apartment: choosing the right personality
Choosing a dog when you live in an apartment is not just a matter of size. It is mainly about the personality of the dog and the affinities of the master. Some dogs are still very active and can feel better outside. But nothing is less certain, since every dog is different. Other dogs spend a lot of time in peace and do not need much exercise.
Avoid the selection of dogs that bark easily. In fact, if to make the alarm in dogs quite natural, it is in others their main means of communication. A dog is annoyed by noises, or the passing neighbors will probably bark regularly until they disturb the neighborhood. This can even make you anxious to be hypervigilant.
Compliance with the dog's needs
Living in an apartment, your dog can even be a great advantage for the dog. In fact, dogs that live in apartments are more outdoors than those that have a garden, at least to relieve themselves.
This is an advantage as it allows the dog to continue to make contacts. This allows him to meet his need for exits. He will also meet his comrades more often. Dogs need opportunities to play, communicate with their own species, sniff green spaces and ideally walk without a leash in a safe environment. This allows puppies to train faster if the right tips are applied.
Mental stimulation inside and outside the home
Walks are not only for the physical needs of the dog. They are also essential for your mental well-being. Daily excursions are therefore essential.
Just as important, however, is the stimulation you provide in the apartment, especially if your dog is alone. You can keep your dog busy with intelligence games, sniffing carpets or hiding toys or treats.
Give your dog enough to satisfy his need to chew with bones, deer trees, toys to destroy, ox hooves, or even buffalo or goat horns.
You can distribute croquettes around the apartment so your dog can "hunt" them all day.
The enrichment of the environment consists in giving the animals a chance to participate in a species-specific behavior. For the dog alone, this will mainly focus on foraging, chewing, and using his nose.
A dog in an apartment can be very happy. In education, we have even more problems with dogs that do not leave their garden. So, beware of prejudice!