Is Your Apartment Too Small For Your Dog?

Since city dogs are so restricted, they often wind up just staying at home alone. It's just not possible to take the dog everywhere in the city. Even if the dog can stay in the car comfortably, in some cities there is a very real chance that the dog could be stolen. On the other hand, most city pets serve a need for protection and security, so they are left behind to guard the owner's belongings. The resulting isolation, accompanied by a backdrop of urban noise, is often a prelude to incessant barking, destructive chewing, or other frustration-release activities. The situation spirals as continual barking or whining leads to complaints and possibly eviction. Destructive chewing can cause an apartment dweller to forfeit an expensive damage deposit, not to mention the loss of personal belongings.

If you live in an apartment you should carefully consider which rooms the dog will have access to when you are gone. Some owners may need to train their dogs to eliminate on papers in the bathroom, so this door will have to be propped open. Otherwise, if the pet accidentally shuts the door during the day, you may find your living room "bombed" with feces when you return. A variation on this same theme is the dog who locks itself in the bathroom, and proceeds to eat towels, soap, and the door in its frustration.

In apartment buildings, most bathroom and kitchen pipes and ventilation systems connect to upper and lower floors. The dog that barks in the kitchen, bangs its tail on the bathroom radiator, or yodels in the living room will probably disturb several residents of an apartment complex. The terrace is no place for an unsupervised dog. Some city owners train their dogs to eliminate on a terrace, sending fumes, aromas, and even droppings down or across to their neighbors. Others use the terrace for exercise, and run the risk of the dog's falling or even hurling itself over the railing.

Correction of these problems can be difficult, regardless of the techniques used, since, in some cases, the dog simply cannot tolerate the city environment and meet its demands.
Obedience training, at least to the heel, sit, stay, and come level, is always imperative. Efforts to screen city noise can be made and it might be helpful to leave the radio or TV
turned on. Boredom and loneliness can be alleviated by a program of roadwork, exercise, massage, grooming, and proper diet. The possibility of providing a companion for the dog might also be explored. Don't think automatically in terms of another dog - a cat may be a possibility, if the two are compatible. A bird which sings or can be taught to talk is another possibility.