Puppy-Proof Your Home
One of the most important steps for making an apartment safe for a new puppy is thoroughly puppy-proofing the home. Puppies are naturally curious and will want to explore and chew on anything they can get their mouths on. Take some time to survey your apartment from your puppy’s perspective to identify potential hazards.
Be sure to block off any unsafe areas like balconies, laundry rooms or basements so your pup can’t access them. Keep bathroom doors closed and use baby gates to block stairs. Cover up exposed electric cords by taping them to baseboards or hiding them behind furniture. According to the AKC, you can also string cords through cord organizers to keep puppies away.
Make sure to secure any household chemicals, cleaners, or toxics like antifreeze in cupboards or areas your pup can’t access. Make it a habit to keep cabinets and closets closed. Install safety latches if needed. Be diligent about picking up any choking hazards like coins, socks or children’s toys.
Consider setting up a puppy playpen or baby gates to restrict access to certain areas of the home. This will give your pup a safe place to play and chew toys while keeping your belongings protected. With some preparation, you can puppy-proof your apartment and allow your new dog to comfortably and safely settle into their new home.
Create a Safe Place/Crate
Getting a crate or pen is an important first step to creating a safe space for your dog in an apartment. Look for a wire or plastic crate that is large enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Line the crate with familiar, comfortable bedding and a few safe chew toys. Introduce your dog to the crate slowly by leaving the door open at first and tossing treats inside so your dog learns it’s a positive space. Feed your dog meals inside the crate as well. Once your dog is comfortable going in and out of the crate freely, you can start closing the door for short periods of time, gradually building up the duration your dog can stay calmly in the crate.
Crate training provides many benefits for apartment dogs according to the AKC, including potty training, preventing destructive behaviors, and providing a safe space when you can’t supervise your dog directly “Crate Training Benefits: Why A Crate Is Great For You And Your Dog.” Using a crate gives your dog a place to relax and prevents inappropriate chewing or accidents around the home. With proper crate training, your dog will see their crate as a comfort zone.
Train Your Dog
Dog training is critical for apartment living to prevent problem behaviors like excessive barking, destruction and improper potty habits. Focus on three key areas:
Housebreak Your Pup
Potty training a dog in an apartment takes patience but is very possible. Take your dog out frequently and reward them for going potty outside. Clean accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to prevent repeat incidents [1]. Use a consistent command like “go potty” and praise or give a treat when they go in the right spot.
Teach Manners
Your dog should understand basic obedience commands like sit, stay and come. Work on loose leash walking to prevent pulling during apartment building walks. Reward good behavior and redirect bad manners like jumping up [2].
Socialize Your Pup
Introduce your dog to friendly neighbors and dogs early on. Set up controlled play dates to teach proper interaction. Attend a puppy kindergarten class for valuable socialization in a safe environment.
Stop Problem Behaviors
If your dog picks up bad habits like excessive barking, chewing or scratching, address the root cause through training. Provide adequate exercise, mental stimulation and attention. Use positive reinforcement to teach better behaviors instead.
Provide Plenty of Exercise
Getting adequate exercise is crucial for dogs living in apartments. Dogs that don’t get enough exercise may become frustrated, anxious, or destructive. Try to provide your dog with at least 30-60 minutes of activity per day. Take your dog for walks as often as possible. Aim for at least two 20-30 minute walks per day. Vary your walking routes to provide mental stimulation. You can also play games like tug of war or fetch in stairwells or hallways. Puzzle toys and food dispensers provide mental exercise when you can’t be actively playing with your dog.
According to How to exercise your dog indoors, “A game of hallway or stairwell fetch can come in handy.” Keeping playtime fun and exciting inside your apartment is important.
Manage Barking
Barking can be a major concern for apartment dwellers and their neighbors. Luckily, there are several effective strategies to curb excessive barking:
First, ignore attention-seeking barking. Giving your dog attention when they bark can reinforce the behavior. Instead, refocus their attention or redirect them to a quiet activity.
Second, train a ‘quiet’ command. When your dog starts barking, calmly say ‘quiet,’ wait for them to stop, then reward. Be consistent so they learn the cue. You can also use hand signals like holding a finger to your lips.
Third, desensitize your dog to barking triggers using counterconditioning. For example, start exposing them slowly to things like hallway noises while rewarding calm behavior. Over time, they will learn these stimuli aren’t threatening.
In extreme cases, bark collars that emit tones or vibrations may help curb excessive vocalization. However, positive reinforcement training should be tried first. Persistence and patience are key to managing nuisance barking.
Monitor Closely
Dogs left alone in an apartment all day can get restless or anxious, leading to destructive behavior. The best way to prevent this is to monitor your dog closely and limit their unsupervised access to the home. When you are not around to keep an eye on your dog, use confinement tools like a crate or baby gates to restrict them to safe areas.
Crates provide a secure, den-like space for your dog to settle in when you can’t actively watch them. Be sure to introduce the crate gradually with positive reinforcement so your dog sees it as their safe zone, not a punishment. Provide water and safe chew toys in the crate and limit time confined to a few hours at most.
Baby gates can block off areas like kitchens or bedrooms you don’t want your dog wandering while you are occupied elsewhere. Make sure you “dog proof” the area they have access to by removing anything they could chew up or get into. Rotate their toys to stave off boredom.
When home, keep your dog within eyesight as much as possible. If you can’t watch them, put them in their crate or a gated area. Monitoring your dog’s behavior and limiting their unsupervised wandering is key to avoiding destructive behaviors in an apartment.
Dog-Proof Toxic Items
Certain foods and plants can be very dangerous or even fatal if ingested by dogs. Some common foods that are toxic to dogs include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, avocados, alcohol, nutmeg, coffee, and foods containing the sweetener xylitol [1]. Harmful plants include lilies, azaleas, oleander, sago palms, rhubarb leaves, and poison ivy [2].
To keep your dog safe, store any toxic foods or plants well out of your dog’s reach. Keep counters and tables clear of dangerous foods and make sure the garbage is securely covered. Consider moving potted plants to high shelves or areas your dog cannot access. If you suspect your dog has ingested something toxic, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center immediately.
ID and Registration
Properly identifying your dog is crucial for their safety. There are three main ways to ID and register your dog:
Collar and ID Tag
Your dog should always wear a collar with an ID tag that includes your name, phone number, and address. ID tags allow anyone who finds your lost dog to contact you and reunite you with your pet (AKC). Purchase a durable tag that won’t easily fall off.
Microchip
Get your dog microchipped by your veterinarian. A microchip is implanted under your dog’s skin and contains unique ID information. Shelters and vets can scan it to get your contact info if your dog gets lost. Microchips are permanent ID (WagWalking).
Registration
Register your dog’s microchip information with a national database like the AKC Reunite microchip registry. This provides an extra layer of protection if your info needs to be updated. Registration is required by many apartment complexes too.
Meet Apartment Requirements
Before getting a dog, be sure to review your apartment’s pet policy. Many apartments have restrictions on dog size, breed, and number of pets. According to the Fair Housing Act, breed and weight restrictions do not apply to service animals or emotional support animals.
However, most apartments have size limits such as 25 lbs or under. Certain breeds perceived as aggressive like pit bulls, rottweilers, and dobermans may be prohibited. There is usually a two pet maximum as well.
You will also likely have to pay an additional pet deposit, such as $200-500, as well as pet rent each month. This covers any potential damage caused by the dog. Make sure you can afford these additional costs before committing to a dog.
If your target breed or size is prohibited, you may need to select another apartment complex or forgo getting a dog for now. While rules can sometimes be negotiable, it’s best to find a place aligned with your needs. Be sure to get all pet policies in writing before signing a lease.
Be a Responsible Owner
When living in an apartment with a dog, it’s important to be courteous and follow the rules set by the building management. Here are some tips for being a responsible pet owner in an apartment:
Pick up after your dog immediately when taking them outside for walks or potty breaks. No one wants to step in dog waste, and leaving it behind reflects poorly on you as an owner. Carry waste bags with you and dispose of used bags properly.
Take steps to keep barking and noise to a minimum. Excessive barking can disturb neighbors in close quarters. Try training your dog using positive reinforcement techniques, providing interactive toys when you’re away, and consider a citronella or ultrasonic anti-bark collar as a last resort. Also keep playtime noise inside during late night hours.
Follow all apartment pet policies, such as weight limits, breed restrictions, pet fees and deposits. Be sure you are allowed to have a dog before adopting. Keep dogs leashed in common areas. Pick up the pace when moving through common hallways or loitering outside. Limit barking on balconies or patios.
Communicate with the landlord or building manager about your dog to prevent problems or complaints. Be upfront if issues arise and work constructively to address them.