Dog in a flat - no garden, is this ok?
Dog in a flat - no garden, is this ok?
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Discussion

callmedave

Original Poster:

2,686 posts

169 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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so the other half tells me she wants a dog, we are both dog lovers, but we are in a 2nd floor flat, with no garden, Its a good size flat, big rooms etc.

Between us we can get 2+ walks in a day etc but is it unfair on the animal to keep it inside apart from walks?

We would get something small (dachshund or similar) Can it get a bad back from climbing up and down 2 flights of stairs when we go in/out?

Is anyone else in a similar situation or have knowledge on this to help us choose whether to get a dog or not?

axgizmo

1,095 posts

177 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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Do you have somewhere to let it do its business? or do you expect it will be happy enough to wait until its twice daily allotted toilet breaks (during walks)

I can't see it working if i'm honest, would you have to put lead on and dress yourself (coat etc) every time it needed to go out? If you got a well trained dog who wouldn't run off I suppose it would be ok but I don't suppose that is something you can guarantee unless you adopt an older dog. If you did get a pup, how would you go about potty training (If required), surely the place would whiff a bit after a few accidents on the carpet

(Can't word this in a way that doesn't sound like I am being aggressive, I can assure you I am not, just asking questions smile)

I live in a rather big 2 bed flat with a mahoosive field at the back perfect for dog walking, and am a dog lover but I wouldn't get a dog whilst living in a flat without a garden

callmedave

Original Poster:

2,686 posts

169 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
quotequote all
axgizmo said:
Do you have somewhere to let it do its business? or do you expect it will be happy enough to wait until its twice daily allotted toilet breaks (during walks)

I can't see it working if i'm honest, would you have to put lead on and dress yourself (coat etc) every time it needed to go out? If you got a well trained dog who wouldn't run off I suppose it would be ok but I don't suppose that is something you can guarantee unless you adopt an older dog. If you did get a pup, how would you go about potty training (If required), surely the place would whiff a bit after a few accidents on the carpet

(Can't word this in a way that doesn't sound like I am being aggressive, I can assure you I am not, just asking questions smile)
Thanks for the answer, i didnt take it as aggressive.

There is a small communial garden at the back, but this is 2 floors down, so we could let it out to do its business and it would be ok off its lead here, but im not sure if other neighbors will approve (i havenet checked with the landlord if we are allowed pets, but i will) There is a dog walking/exercise park approx 5 mins walk from us.

We want to get it as a pup so it gets used to my kids (6&8)

Potty training, im not sure, but we would read up on that if we know we are getting one.

My main concern is having enough room for it, like i say we have a big place, but im not sure its enough.


DocArbathnot

28,685 posts

207 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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My MIL has moved into a flat with an 8 y/o yorkie. It took ages to find a suitable flat most of them excluded pets in the lease.

We got a doggie toilet for the balcony which he won't use. (not sure if it's lack of trying on MIL's behalf though)

She takes the dog out 3 times a day (at least) before breakfast and last thing at night, the dog copes okay.

I would be very wary with a puppy however, they have very small bladders. I think house training would be nigh on impossible, but you could try a doggie toilet.

I think you may be better with an older less active dog.

ridds

8,366 posts

268 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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Better check if you are allowed a dog first. There are normally rules relating to hard floors, pets etc with an aim of keeping the peace.

My Neighbour in a block of 4 has a dog and it's barking is a fking pain tbh. Only does it when theyre out too....

ehonda

1,483 posts

229 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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I wouldn't do it.

I'm house training a puppy at the moment and I'd hate to have to do that without a garden, when they want to go you need to get them outside NOW. Which means you'd probably want an older dog and I'd be surprised if any of the rescue places would consider your circumstances suitable.

What would you do when one of you is out, the kids are in bed and the dog needs to go out?

HRL

3,353 posts

243 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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Don't take this the wrong way but it seems a bit selfish to get a dog and keep it indoors except for walks, IMO.

IanA2

2,897 posts

186 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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HRL said:
Don't take this the wrong way but it seems a bit selfish to get a dog and keep it indoors except for walks, IMO.
Yup.

RichB

55,500 posts

308 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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callmedave said:
Between us we can get 2+ walks in a day etc but is it unfair on the animal to keep it inside apart from walks?
I would say so.

Jasandjules

72,035 posts

253 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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Will it be a rescue?

If yes, I'd say it would be happier in a flat and getting two walks a day rather than stuck in a kennel and being PTS in a month or two.

On top of that, plenty of dogs never get walked, they have some s**y little 10*10 Housing estate "Garden" to go out to when they are let out.

And it is still likely to be a better life than a kennel dog.

If you can put in the time (walkies daily and exercise) and love then I'd say fair enough.

I know I am going against the grain but there we go.

ali_kat

32,143 posts

245 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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I'm with J&J on this

Don't get a puppy, but adopt an older dog, perhaps one whose owner has passed away so you do know the history.

If you can find a dog walker to come in the middle of the day, even better smile

Brother D

4,359 posts

200 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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We have two (small) dogs in our flat, but we have balcony with a wee-pad, and they get 5-6 walks a day as one of us usually walks back to take them out at lunch, however being a mile from the nearest park in the city isn't ideal really.


callmedave

Original Poster:

2,686 posts

169 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for the comments guys, we were recommended a dog walker today, but like you say, might not be fair on the dog to only go out when it's 'walkies'

As we rent it's no drama to move, but we do love our flat!

I think she will turn the conversation to cats now.....

TheBALDpuma

5,922 posts

192 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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I live in a 2 bed house, without a garden. We have a patterdale/JRT who we've had from a pup. We live next to (hop over the wall at the end of the drive) a big park, and a short walk away from esholt woods. There is a strip of grass just outside our front door where we take her on a lead for a wee/poo.mShe does get walked at least 2 times a day, often 3. She's totally happy and when we're at relatives with gardens she will pine at the door to come in and spend time with us rather than being outside on her own.

IMO as long as she has somewhere to toilet it will be fine. smile

We currently rent, but when we move a nice garden is 1st on the list, as although Mable is perfectly happy, it would be easier for us with a garden.

Badabing

446 posts

230 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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Another living in a flat with a now one year old JRT. I know many people in the same situation and it is not an issue what so ever. He's made our life better and it was well worth it.

callmedave

Original Poster:

2,686 posts

169 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
quotequote all
Thanks. How did you find potty training?

TheBALDpuma

5,922 posts

192 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
quotequote all
callmedave said:
Thanks. How did you find potty training?
Fine. Just need to be on the ball as it takes a bit longer to get collar, lead on the dog and get shoes and jacket on to get outside. Not a problem at all.

TheBALDpuma

5,922 posts

192 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
quotequote all
callmedave said:
Thanks. How did you find potty training?
Fine. Just need to be on the ball as it takes a bit longer to get collar, lead on the dog and get shoes and jacket on to get outside. Not a problem at all.

Hooli

32,278 posts

224 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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Badabing said:
Another living in a flat with a now one year old JRT. I know many people in the same situation and it is not an issue what so ever. He's made our life better and it was well worth it.
When I was younger I had a flat with no garden & a JRT. He was a rescue I'd had for a few years by then & it was fine as I always took him out at least four times a day (morning, lunch, evening & before bed). I worked close enough to always get back for lunch which helped a lot.
He seemed happy enough, if not happier than when I had a small garden because he always got walked. When I had a garden some walks got missed as I was busy, I couldn't do that without a garden obviously.

If your sure you'll have time to walk the dog often enough then I'd do it without qualms. Even a five mins walk around the block is enough first thing & before to make sure your dog is 'empty', provided they get a better walk during the day of course. I used to combine things & walk him to the chippy & eat dinner in the park while he run around & begged for chips hehe

anonymous-user

78 months

Wednesday 18th December 2013
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I used to live in a flat with mine. She got 2 to 3 walks a day and out to do her business when ever she needed on the little gravel garden to the rear or over to the small piece of parkland opposite if the weather was not to bad.

A happier dog I am yet to ever meet.