Picking out a dog to share your new apartment sounded like a great idea at the time. Now that you’re up to your nose in pet care issues, however, the folly of the decision is becoming crystal clear. Dogs are a lot of work and if you weren’t ready for the commitment, you might be facing disasters on a daily basis.
So, how can you handle the problems without being an ogre?
Chances are if you and your dog get along, there are ways you can remedy the situation. Giving up your pet is probably the last thing you want to do. After all, dogs – even those that misbehave a bit – grow on their owners rather quickly. These ideas can help you preserve your relationship with your dog, your neighbors and your sanity. Try them first!
Crate training
This is an excellent way to overcome potty training problems and also security/barking issues. Crates can be used after a dog has been outdoor trained to provide them a safe, secure place to hang out when you’re not at home. When dogs feel comfortable in their crates, problems with daytime barking tend to dissipate. Take the time to acclimate your dog to a crate and make it as comfortable as possible. Some people even have their dogs sleep inside crates at night, but keep the door open.
Obedience training
If the issues with your pet center on training, you can remedy this rather easily. Sign up for an obedience class and take your dog religiously. You’ll both learn a lot about living together and respecting each other. Chances are if aggressive behaviors are an issue, this will help solve the situation entirely.
Doggie day care
This option is always available. It’s excellent for preventing problems with the neighbors or your shoes and furniture when you’re not at home. Expect to pay for this luxury though. This choice, however, can be an excellent one for enabling an owner to keep a pet.
Dog walkers
Regular visits from dog walkers during the workdays can make a very big difference in pets that just can’t hold it as long as you want them to. Dog walkers can also provide a little bit of daytime socialization, which is excellent for some pets.
Consider a shelter
If all else fails and you do have to get rid of your pet, carefully weigh this option. No-kill shelters and humane societies are often the best choices. Remember, you chose to take on the responsibility of a dog. If you can’t handle it, you owe your dog a chance at a life in a home where the proper attention can be paid.
Taking on a dog is a very big responsibility. In an apartment or rental setting, the onus is 100 percent on you to make sure your dog behaves at all times. If the efforts aren’t going well, chances are you can enlist some help to remedy the problems. If not, make sure your pet gets a good home.
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Edward Liu 06.06.08 at 9:20 am
Cool, our (now passed) dog is now an Internet celebrity.
One other tip for latchkey dogs in general is to encourage toys. Chewing is a common anxiety reaction in dogs, which is why a lot of them left in an apartment all day will chew up shoes or furniture. Giving them good substitutes and encouraging their use can alleviate some of that stress.
Toys that encourage mental activity are also great for this. Our toy of choice was the Kong, since we’d stuff it with treats and food and let Brownie work to get them out. It’s just challenging enough to need a bit of mental work for the average dog, and it’s a self-rewarding toy. There are other, similar toys like the Buster Cube if your dog is unusually smart and figures out the Kong quickly.
Alexia 06.09.08 at 10:33 am
We miss Brownie very much. Post more pictures please.