Apartment Living With Your Dog

MSN Dog Central ^ | September 29, 2006 | Sandy Robins

[libstripper]

One sure sign that a downtown neighborhood is becoming a fashionable place to live—more than just a commercial district—is the number of dogs out and about on the sidewalks. Today, many apartment buildings and individual landlords are developing increasingly lenient pet policies to attract more dog owners to these newly gentrified urban areas.

There’s no question that city living offers many on-tap conveniences that make it an attractive alternative to a suburban lifestyle. But how dog friendly is downtown? There is much more to consider when it comes to your pal’s well-being than the landlord’s consent or the homeowner policy confirming that pets are welcome.

advertisementSeeking Out Pet Friendly Buildings Whether you are looking to rent or buy, the best way to find out if the neighborhood is dog friendly is to take your dog for a walk and stop to talk to anyone else out walking their dog.

Many realtors are now paying special attention to the pet-loving sector of the apartment housing market. So it’s a good idea to seek out someone who specializes in such properties. Veterinarian offices, groomers and pet stores are also a mine of information and many have notice boards with postings of suitable apartments in the area.

[libstripper]

I'm so glad my dogs and I like in a semi-rural area with one acre minimum zoning.

[AnAmericanMother]

I guess it'll work o.k. for the small lap dog types, but I've got Labs and they need room!

(I see people living in downtown Atlanta loft apartments with huge dogs - mastiffs and Great Danes. Whazzup witat? The only place to take them is a tiny crowded dog area in Piedmont Park.)

[wmfights]

"I'm so glad my dogs and I like in a semi-rural area with one acre minimum zoning."
________________________________

I am a real estate owner and manager in a large urban environment. We do not allow dogs for a couple reasons. The owners don't take care of their dogs. The dogs are noisy. The dogs feces are not cleaned up so our janitors had to do it.

The buildings that allow dogs become full of dog owners and we get the tenants who want privacy. Also, it's stunning to see these dog owners buying big sporting dogs and they live in 700-1,000 sg ft. apartments. It seems to be irresponsible.

[longtermmemmory]

Landlords often have a non-refundable pet deposit. $400 dollars or so.

When people can affort to pay the pet deposit, you get more dogs.

[Fawn]

Sad isn't it? And when the dog starts getting antsy (stir crazy--get nippy) or has an 'accident' in the apt ...they are shipped off to Animal control to most likey be put down. Many people are very irresponsible and selfish when comes to animals.

[Harry Pothead]

"I guess it'll work o.k. for the small lap dog types, but I've got Labs and they need room!"

My Lab thinks he is a lap dog... As soon as I sit on the couch, that's where he is. (yes he's totally spoilled!)

[proudofthesouth]

I once worked with a woman who bred Great Danes. She told me that they make great apartment pets cause they are nothing but couch potatoes.

[AnAmericanMother]

Oh, mine thinks she's a lap dog too (she's got a little sister coming next Wednesday, but she doesn't know about THAT yet!)

But when she's not being a lap dog, she wants to run, jump over things, and chase ducks. All you have to do is blow a duck call and she's transformed into a hair-trigger retrieving machine -- just waiting for the word.

Right now she's sitting on the sofa with her chin over the back, watching for the chipmunk that lives under the landscape timbers in the garden.

[Slings and Arrows]

Ping!

[east1234]

When I met my wife she had a black lab and a golden/St. Bernard cross. She also had a 600 sqft condo. Those dog went on lots of walks and runs. You can do it, just gotta put in the time for them. We now have 3 acres and a dog door, much easier.

[AnAmericanMother]

There's a lady in our agility club who runs a Harlequin Great Dane. The dog does seem to be quiet and sedate (at least compared to my crazy bouncing Lab) but consider the quantity of food -- and what goes in must come out . . .

I just don't see it. I want my dog to be small enough for me to pick her up and put her on the vet's examining table or in the back of the truck (although she's perfectly capable of jumping up onto either one).

[Xenalyte]

Great Danes and greyhounds both make better apartment pets than one would think.

[wmfights]

"Sad isn't it? And when the dog starts getting antsy (stir crazy--get nippy) or has an 'accident' in the apt ...they are shipped off to Animal control to most likey be put down. Many people are very irresponsible and selfish when comes to animals."
____________________________

Your singing to the choir!

I see it all the time. We see "yuppies" (another term for overindulged suburban kids) get these big show dogs, Rottweilers, German Shepards, Golden Retrievers, Labradors etc. and complain they can't find apartments. These big dogs need room that urban areas don't have.

The dog issue is really just an overlap of the gentrification of urban areas. When the suburban kids move in they want to bring suburban living to urban areas. They want big dogs, bike lanes, big SUV's etc. not recognizing the infrastructure is not conducive to these things and the population density is to great for them.

[Moonman62]

I am a real estate owner and manager in a large urban environment. We do not allow dogs for a couple reasons. The owners don't take care of their dogs. The dogs are noisy. The dogs feces are not cleaned up so our janitors had to do it.

Yep, if they're apartments or condos they become big kennels.

[AnAmericanMother]

But they had to stay on leash, didn't they?

Mine's a field bred Lab, and she loves to run. I couldn't keep up with her even on a bicycle - she is FAST.

[AnAmericanMother]

I've heard that greyhounds are real couch potatoes until you show them a rabbit . . .

[Joe 6-pack]

Here's a pretty good book about the changing role of the dog in contemporary American Society and in the lives of Americans...

I highly recommend it...

[Xenalyte]

One of my best friends has a rescue greyhound who had to be the worst racer ever. He consistently gets outrun by their fat chocolate Lab and their miniature dachshund.

He's the laziest dog I have ever met. He'll only chase the other two dogs if one of them steals a toy from him.

But sweet? You couldn't ask for a more loving dog. He just wants to sit next to you with his head in your lap, or on the ground where you can rub him with your foot.

[HairOfTheDog]

Ping!

Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

[wmfights]

"Landlords often have a non-refundable pet deposit. $400 dollars or so."
________________________________

More and more landlords I know are not allowing dogs. When you have to replace a hardwood floor for 4-5K it's not worth it. Also, the noise is a big issue and the tenants who want their privacy don't want to be around it.

[proudofthesouth]

I've got a Corgi who is the love of my life. I live in a condo/townhouse and he is perfect for this place. Don't dare let him run loose cause he follows his nose and ignores everything else.

Most Corgi's as a rule don't like cats but 16 months ago I brought over several young ones out of a litter. A gray/white one immediately went up to him and they've been best buds ever since.

[wmfights]

"Those dog went on lots of walks and runs. You can do it, just gotta put in the time for them."
_________________________________

I'm sure there are exceptions, but the problem is just that they are exceptions.

[wmfights]

"Yep, if they're apartments or condos they become big kennels."
_______________________________

You are so right! Especially the day after the owner got "lucky" and didn't come home that night to take care of his/her pet.

[Moonman62]

Or if they work the midnight shift. When one starts barking, they all bark.

[pandoraou812]

I wouldn't have a large dog in an apartment, I don't think its fair to the dog or the neighbors. Little dogs do fine as long as they aren't yappers. I hate dog parks. I would never take my dogs to one for a few reasons. I have shih tzus and the bigger dogs would toss them around like a rag doll. I find owners who let their dogs off leash and start talking paying no mind to what their pet is up to. Plus the dogs can pick up all kinds of parasites. Besides get into fights. I keep my babies , all 4 of them in my backyard and if I do take them out they are leashed.

[mom4kittys]

I wouldn't want to live near people who didn't like dogs or cats. I think it says a lot about the people themselves.

[wmfights]

"Or if they work the midnight shift. When one starts barking, they all bark."
________________________________

Man, it sounds like you've been there!

I love dogs, but they are not bred for apartment living.

[wmfights]

"I wouldn't want to live near people who didn't like dogs or cats. I think it says a lot about the people themselves."
___________________________

Since we are going to start being judgmental without out thinking first; I don't like people who are so cruel to animals to put them in environments they are not suited for and have no consideration for how their actions impact those around them.

Just because an animal is cute, or well bred, does not mean it belongs in a high density urban environment.

[Moonman62]

Just because a person has animals, doesn't mean they are loved. The point is some environments aren't made for certain animals, or people who don't care for them.

[mom4kittys]

I'm mostly talking about landlords who make blanket polices on no pets. Pretty close minded if you ask me.

[mom4kittys]

I understand about that, but sometimes it is out of temporary necessity. I know a lot of people (myself included) that lost homes due to Katrina and need temporary rentals while they are rebuilding. People with kids are having the same problem. Not enough housing close by to rebuild and tight quarters if you do find something. I think landlords are being petty in some instances.

[wmfights]

"I'm mostly talking about landlords who make blanket polices on no pets. Pretty close minded if you ask me."
_____________________________

Well, guess what! Your talking to one. I own and operate apartment buildings in a large urban environment and we will not allow pets. If you want a dog go live in the suburbs. You may not realize this since your so self centered but most of your neighbors don't want your dog around either.

[RepoGirl]

I agree. The last neighborhood I lived in before I left Boston (for Florida) was right in the midst of "Urban Renewal" meaning lots of rich yuppies were butting up against diciest of gangland. Further, it had a massive liberal gay population who were incredibly condescending and "attempting meaningful dialog" with their lower-income neighbors. More than once, there'd be a problem with some idiot's prized Chow coming up against some gang bangers nasty pit bull with ugly results.

In fact, there were LOTS of pits in my neighborhood, all owned by sullen young men with lots of bling, but I digress.

My rott is a bit of a couch potato by nature, but I still couldn't picture her living in my apartment up in Boston (too many stairs, for one--we were a 4th floor walk up with no elevator). Too much concrete, distractions on the street, aggressive dogs and no space for her to stretch out and enjoy.

[east1234]

yep, unless we were out in the woods somewhere. Now they have a fence, can't let dogs run free, they end up as speed bumps.

[wmfights]

"My rott is a bit of a couch potato by nature, but I still couldn't picture her living in my apartment up in Boston (too many stairs, for one--we were a 4th floor walk up with no elevator). Too much concrete, distractions on the street, aggressive dogs and no space for her to stretch out and enjoy."
____________________________

Thanks for the honest assessment.

Although, it is a misconception that until the "yuppies" move in the city is a gang infested run down place. I think you will find in most urban areas there are some great "blue collar" areas that are not rundown. The pitbull problem is worth noting. It is not uncommon for dogs to be stolen so pit owners can use them to train their dog.

[the OlLine Rebel]

My old wonderful GS grew up and lived most her life stretching out in a nice fenced yard.

At 9yo I moved to CT and a small apt in town center. She took to it well as soon as she realized it was mine, and hers. Also when she realized the cat was staying, too. We actually ended up in another nicer 1 (same complex), but still only about 600 sqft.

Neighbors never complained about my cat and GS. The manager was worried once about her barking when I was gone(guardianship), but neighbors didn't care (and half of them were definitely more obnoxious).

[RoadTest]

"I once worked with a woman who bred Great Danes. She told me that they make great apartment pets cause they are nothing but couch potatoes."

Maybe it's the opposite of what we thought. I have had little dogs, and they love to roam fields and woods (always on a leash and with a waste bag) - the wilder the better.

[j. earl carter]

And when the dog starts getting antsy (stir crazy--get nippy) or has an 'accident' in the apt ...they are shipped off to Animal control

This is exactly the reason pigs make such great pets. When they get antsy, or you get sick of them, you can just go ahead and eat them. I think they're tastier than store bought, too.

[mom4kittys]

I just think some people are too uptight for their own good.

[RepoGirl]

Fair enough, but I can't think of any really good, lower-income neighborhoods in Boston anymore. Even the last few Irish holdouts in Dorchester seem to have fallen to gangs and crime. A lot of the blue collar have moved into the suburbs, and the inner city is mostly affluent hipsters (not the technical demographic name...), government housing, and students.

Speaking of dogs being stolen, that's one reason why my girl is an indoor dog (and she only goes outside on a leash). I met a woman recently who's German Shephard was stolen from her yard and she suspects dog fighting as the reason.

The very idea of my "little princess" being used as training fills me with dread. She's an incredibly sweet dog, not a fighter by nature (but she is a bossy policeman, though.) She wouldn't last one round with a pit.

[CSM]

"When people can affort to pay the pet deposit, you get more dogs."

Ah, ha! This darnded Bush economy! It is Bush's fault!

[wmfights]

"I just think some people are too uptight for their own good."
_________________________________

You're the one who started in with the character assassination. Clearly, you have a myopic view of the world and are incapable of recognizing dogs do not belong in all housing environments.

[mom4kittys]

No, but sometimes it is a temporary necessity. I know most people when they move to a new city (usually due to a transfer) might rent an apartment for 6 months to scope out the area and look for permanent housing.

Besides, I would think that people with pets are the norm, not the exception.

[mom4kittys]

As for character assassination, I think you started it by lumping all pet owners into one category with the assumption that they are not responsible to keep the apartment in good condition.

[wmfights]

"No, but sometimes it is a temporary necessity. I know most people when they move to a new city (usually due to a transfer) might rent an apartment for 6 months to scope out the area and look for permanent housing."

Let's debunk this nonsense. One of the excuses we here is "I'm just taking care of him for a short time" and a year later they are still taking care of him. The other tenants see the pet and of course they now have to have one.

Since you only need the apartment for a short time what you are really saying is I should fix up the apartment for you and not really look for a return on my investment. Preparing an apartment for rental, if it's in good shape, requires patching, painting, buffing the floors, replacing the blinds, resealing around the tub and cleaning. Renting an apartment also includes running ads and in some instances using rental services. So since your only going to need the apartment a short time where's my return? Also, since you have a dog, assuming it doesn't damage the apartment and or drive out other tenants, when you move I'm going to have to repeat the whole process and probably incur an additional month's vacancy because the apartment can't be rented to new tenants until the dog is out. All this to avoid your inconvenience.
_______________________________________
"Besides, I would think that people with pets are the norm, not the exception."

Not in large urban high density neighborhoods, unless they are being gentrified. I tried accommodating pet owners for a while and after all the problems discontinued that policy.

[mom4kittys]

Isn't that what a 6 month lease is all about?

[wmfights]

"As for character assassination, I think you started it by lumping all pet owners into one category with the assumption that they are not responsible to keep the apartment in good condition."
________________________________

It's clear to me you only see what you want to see. You love your dog so everyone else must love your dog or their bad. It's a sophomoric attitude.

Do you have any idea what dog urine does to a hard wood floor if it's not cleaned up right away?

Do other tenants have rights to privacy? What happens to those privacy rights if your "little precious" starts barking any time someone comes or goes? The tenants won't tell you that your "little precious" is bothersome because they don't want to offend you. They know how special your pet is. After all it's a part of your family. The offended tenants will either call me, or move without telling me why.

It's obvious your consideration extends to yourself.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Frankly I don't blame you. In truth the American culture is too much about spoiling rotten pets. Spoiled-rotten pets make bad neighbors; they're messy (from #2 to ripped-off door frames) and obnoxious and pesky.

Now, if the norm was well-behaved animals, it would be a different story.

I totally understand (unfortunately) the general anethema to animals, dogs in particular.

[Eaker]

My goodness you have a chip on your shoulder.

It sounds like you would keep out children and other races if you could get away with it.

What are you doing this weekend, evicting a mother and her three children because their goldfish is too noisy?

[mom4kittys]

Do you keep out children too? They can be noisy and pee on the floor too. Let's lump them in that category as well.

There are responsible pet owners and parents as well.