Explore simple tips for happy apartment living, from leashing to cleaning up.
Not only is leashing your pet considerate for your neighbors and their pets, but it’s a safety and legal issue. Many local ordinances mandate that dogs should be leashed in public areas, and for good reason. An off-leash dog could potentially antagonize another animal, especially if that off-leash dog approaches a dog with known behavioral issues or has an issue themselves.
It’s also important to have a short leash habit. That means your pet is leashed and as close to you as possible without much, if any, extra slack—so ditch the retractable leash! Leashes can be great safety features, but they won’t do you any good if your pet is far too close to whatever it is they should be kept away from.
An off-leash dog can be a shock, especially if it approaches you and your leashed dog.
If the unleashed dog does engage and tries to attack your dog follow betterpet expert Dr. Erica Irish’s advice on breaking up a fight.
“[The best way to handle an off-leash dog is] by not handling them at all. If there's an owner nearby, get their attention. If not, do what you've already mentioned and try to keep distance. If an attack happens, don't use your hands. It helps to have a noisemaker like an air horn or something on hand (weird accessory on a walk, but if off-leash dogs are a problem in your area... better safe than sorry!)”- Dr. Erica Irish
The community rules of an apartment are there for a reason. From a safety perspective, it creates boundaries for all residents to see and acknowledge, providing clear parameters should something bad happen. That could entail a dog getting loose, a dog fight, or dog walker access to the building. This also means respecting the common areas such as the pool, gym, lounge, or park. If those areas don’t allow pets, your pet should not be in there for any reason. Be sure to read your apartment’s pet policy and lease because breaking any of those rules could be grounds for lease termination.
Even a perfectly trained pet can slip up or act aggressively. It’s up to you when living in an apartment to be aware of not only your pet but the pets of others. When walking past another dog, take note of the body language of both dogs. If kids are near your dog, pay attention and stop any unwanted touches or tugs on your dog’s fur, ears, or tail. Prevention is a great way to keep everyone happy, safe, and on the same page.
Socialization helps your dog understand the hierarchy of appropriate behaviors when around humans and other animals. In an ideal world, your pet would be socialized at an early age but socialization is great for pets of all ages. It's important to remember that not all social interactions will be perfect and positive, but it’s a necessary part of the process.
Consider starting small by introducing your dog to a well-socialized dog or two, or other people. During this process you’ll want to be very aware of your dog’s body language and know when they’ve had enough of the interaction. Eventually, with time, the hope is that your dog can successfully be around other pets and people in public and close to home without feeling stress or lashing out.
When it comes to dogs, we have to acknowledge that they have means of communicating that are sometimes annoying, like barking or jumping. That doesn’t mean that we can’t shift how our dogs act, especially when in a shared space like an apartment complex or community. Things like excessive barking, begging, or jumping can not only make it difficult to be a good neighbor, but some things—like excessive barking—could even be violations of the lease you signed.
Instead, shift their behaviors through training. With barking, prioritize counterconditioning or create a safe, quiet space in your home for them to relax. Most dogs, once you figure out their triggers, whether it be anxiety or fear, can overcome excessive barking.
Even the biggest pet lovers might not want to interact with your pet while walking around. That doesn’t mean your pet isn’t great or well-behaved, it simply is a means of showing courtesy to those around you. This is especially important for those who don’t like dogs or who are even allergic to them. Pets should be able to sit on command near their owner or ignore other pets and people on command if need be. This creates a safer experience for all and those who do want to pet your furry friend can always ask.
Pet’s going potty is nothing new, but it's incredibly important to clean up after them. That means if they poop you should have something to pick it up with and somewhere to dispose of it. Luckily, most pet-friendly apartments have pet waste stations to help with this. Even if it's cold out, raining, or dark you should still be cleaning up your pet’s waste since, not only is it the right thing to do, but because dog feces can spread diseases to both humans and pets alike.
We also want to note that pee should be cleaned up as well. Dog pee can still spread diseases (namely leptospirosis) so as inconvenient as it sometimes might be to run home to grab paper towels to clean up a tinkle accident in the elevator, please do so. It can help to have poop bags and travel wipes on your person at all times.
The health of your pets is important to you, but when living in close quarters it also can affect others. Pet parents should strive to keep their pets’ vaccination records up to date especially since so many diseases that affect animals can spread quickly through mild contact. At the very least, your dog should be protected against canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, canine adenovirus-2 (hepatitis), and the rabies virus.
Be sure to talk with your veterinarian to determine what other vaccines may be necessary for your pet, especially since geographic location, likelihood of infection, and lifestyle can affect needs.
“It's easy for certain diseases to be spread through urine and feces or even via droplets from the respiratory tract. Some viruses can exist on surfaces for a long time. Not only do vaccines keep your pet safe, some are required by your landlord.” –Dr. Erica Irish
A wound-up pet can be naughty when in the confines of an apartment. Pets need exercise, especially dogs. In fact, dogs need anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours of exercise every single day. Exercise keeps their muscles active and organs healthy while also providing mental stimulation. Plus, exercise tires your pets out, which makes them less likely to chew things up that they shouldn't.
Anxiety and stress can be heightened after a move to a new place, which can in turn show up in destructive behaviors. When renting, chewed carpet or a scratched door are not ideal. Having a routine for your pet can help them know what’s coming next in the day and can potentially alleviate any discomfort they may feel. That includes feeding at the same time, exercise, walks, bathroom breaks, and play time. You don’t have to keep the schedule down to the minute each day, but consistency is key in creating comfort.
If you’re having a difficult time training your dog at home, consider bringing in a professional. Training a dog takes time and consistency and sometimes, searching the internet isn’t enough to give you the confidence to take on the task yourself. In that case, reach out to a trainer who is reputable and certified in the specific areas you’re looking to work with your pet on.
Good manners are never lost on others and it can be a huge positive to living in an apartment community with other pets and their owners. No matter your pet’s size or how cute they are, all pets should be trained well and respectful of others’ space. That way, everyone has a safe, enjoyable community experience.
“Certified Professional Dog Trainers have backgrounds based on scientific information regarding behavior and training. Just because someone has "x years of experience" doesn't mean the methods are correct. If trainers use words like alpha, dominance, or punishment, stay far away!” –Dr. Erica Irish
The best thing you can do if you encounter an aggressive dog is to remove yourself from the situation as safely as possible. From there, you should report your observations and concerns to the leasing office or management company. It’s important to document any subsequent situations for future reports. Oftentimes, an aggressive dog is a violation of the apartment lease, but if your apartment complex doesn’t take action, know your options in case you want to break your lease.
A dog that barks is normal, but excessive barking can breach of your lease if it violates any noise addendums or noise ordinances in the area. To be successfully evicted, your apartment complex has to prove that there has been a constant, documented history of disturbance.
It's certainly possible to live happily and safely in an apartment with a reactive dog, but you’ll want to plan ahead to ensure there are no surprises. Ensure your dog is properly trained. This includes leash training, desensitization and counterconditioning, as well as understanding what your dog’s threshold for distraction and other stimulants are.
