would you get a dog in an apartment with a 15 mos old?

[1littlebit]

we are thinking about getting a dog but hesitating because we live in a third floor apartment and because we are not sure if we should wait till ds is older. ds is 15 months old and has spent a lot of time around my parents great perenese and they get along fine but that might just be b/c shes a mellow dog.

i am home most of the day (sahm) and i could walk the dog everyday and obviously take it out more then that for bathroom breaks. my concern is that somedays the walk may only be 20-30 minutes and i don't know if that would be enough or not.

we would probably get an older dog but we are not sure. would you get a dog in this situation? we would like to get a dog from a shelter if possible and we know this means probably a mixed breed and knowing less about the dog. are there any breeds or breed mixes you would recommend getting or avoiding?

[betsyj]

While a dog maybe allowed in this apartment many landlords do not allow animals-what if you had to move? I am of course not sure of your situation but living in an apartment can often times be somewhat fluid. And, many rescues/shelters simply won't adopt a dog to you because you don't own a home and have a child that young.

It seems unfair to the truly responsible people out there, but many people get a dog and then dump him when they have to move.

Dogs are a ton of work and I really do think you would be better off waiting till your son is older.

[AlbertaJes]

Honestly, I don't think I'd get a dog with a 15 month old, period. Dogs are just so much work. And I say this as a dog owner with an almost 3 year old. I had my dog for 3 years before DD came, and it's still tons of work.

[greenmagick]

If you are prepared for all the work, I think it can be fine. Just research, research, research, and be prepared for the long haul. Make sure you are truly committed before you get one.

[slimkins]

Originally Posted by greenmagick

If you are prepared for all the work, I think it can be fine. Just research, research, research, and be prepared for the long haul. Make sure you are truly committed before you get one.

:
and also if you go through a rescue group, most of them tend to have their dogs in foster homes and this makes it easier to know a little about their personality. They will know which of their dogs will work for small children and apartment living. and they will NOT place a dog with you if you do not pass their adoption process.
I also agree with one of the PP about renting. If you move around much or your lease is ending soon, I would really consider if this is right for you. Renting and foreclosures are one of the biggest reasons dogs are in shelters right now.
I'm sure most of these people didn't intend on this happening to their dogs.

[DogMomforNow]

Agree with what's been posted re: moving. I live in the city now - and one of the only reasons I've been allowed to take my dogs where I live is my profession and "letters of recommendation" for my animals from former landlords (I also offer to do a meet and greet with the landlord and that helps too). Finding a place that's good for you and takes dogs is HARD!

If you're okay with that level of commitment I think an older dog would be awesome for your family! I would, however, go with a reputable rescue group rather than the shelter. Many rescues do mixed breeds, but you will have the added security of a foster home being able to accurately assess the dog's energy level, suitability for apartment living, temperament with children, etc. If you need help finding one in your area let me know, I'd be happy to ask around to some people I know. Good for you for doing your research and good luck in your decision!!

[SevenVeils]

Originally Posted by greenmagick

If you are prepared for all the work, I think it can be fine. Just research, research, research, and be prepared for the long haul. Make sure you are truly committed before you get one.

:

[mistymama]

I think as long as you research and know what you are in for, you will be fine. I personally wouldn't get a dog with a 15 month old, but that's becuase I know my limits and I would not have the patience for both!

I will say, having a dog in an apartment can be a lot of work - esp during the first few months when you are trying to potty train. Nothing like running up and down stairs a zillion times a day because the dog looks like it needs to potty. But once you get into a routine, that's not as big of a deal.

I guess all areas are different - but most rentals around here, both apartments and homes are pet friendly. Many advertise being pet friendlly with no weight restrictions, while others only want smaller pets. Do be prepared to pay hefty deposits though - most places here want non-refundable pet fees.

Overall I would just do your research -- get a mellow breed that will be happy chilling in an apartment with you most of the day. BTW, we've got a mini dachshund in an apartment and he's been perfect. He's mellow, is happy with two little walks a day and likes to sleep next to us most of the time.

[Eman'smom]

I agree if you go into it with eyes wide open it could work.

Just know that even an older dog is going to need a lot of work.

[1littlebit]

thanks for the responses. we plan on staying in our current apartment until we buy a house (probably a year or two more) but even if we did move to another apartment we would never move somewhere that wouldn't allow us to bring the dog. if we got a dog we would consider it a permanent addition to our family and would make decisions based on that.

i have good (sometimes maybe extreme) examples of pets as family members. most of my friends and family have dogs and all of them consider their pets a part of the family. they would never move somewhere they couldn't bring their dogs and most of them either take their dogs on vacation with them or have them stay with a family member.

i know that training (not just potty training but training in general) is very important especially for certain breeds and that it is a disservice to the dog if you dont give them the time and attention they need and that includes mental stimulation.

i have been doing some research and a few websites have suggested a pug, a lab, a boston terrier and few other kinds. i was worried about the lab because i thought they would need more exercise then i can give it but apparently one good walk a day is enough as long as i am home to spend time with him most of the day. what do you think of those suggestions? i am not sure how reliable the websites are you know?

[greenmagick]

I personally would say no way on the lab, unless you are adopting an older (like over 5 at least) one. They need sooo much exercise....I cant imagine 1 walk being enough! I like pugs and bostons, though I generally dont like small dogs with children, both of those breeds seem pretty good about it. If I ever got a small dog, it would be a boston They do still have a lot of energy though

**just my opinion from experience, not an expert by any means**

[mom0810]

I agree on the Lab, but then I am not a Lab "fan". Labs are crazy nutso for about the first 3 years and then you still have a big dog to deal with in an apartment 3 floors up.

The 15 month old is fine... I would consider more the aspect of the apartment and get a less active dog if I were you. Dog.. fine. I have had dogs & puppies all along with my two babies, and it's just another baby incorporated in to the day. No biggie.

Look in to less active dogs than a Lab, though.

The Boston would be GREAT for your situation, so would the Pug. Bostons are perfect kids' dogs and Pugs are pretty good, too. As far as size and activity level, you are right on there.

[1littlebit]

i was worried about the lab needing more exercise then i could give him. i am also a little worried about allergies. we had a lab when i was growing up and he was hugely energetic. he was younger though. he was also one animal we did have to rehome. i think it was one of the hardest things my mom ever did. he had really bad allergies to well.. the east coast as far as i can tell. and even though she did everything she could and he was just happy go lucky the whole time it never got better and i think she decided it was kinder for him to move somewhere where he wouldnt scratch and bite himself bald even with all the allergy medication. he went to live in arizona where it is much drier and his allergies went away completely. its been ten years and she still keep in touch with the family who adopted him and when they came back to the coast for a bit a few years later his allergies came back with a vengeance. i don't know if i can handle or afford that kind of medical care on a regular basis.

i have also always been a it weary of small dogs. like i said we had a lab when i was younger and my parents have a great peranese (sp?) now. but apparently there are no big dogs that will be ok in an apartment. the pugs and terriers are adorable though. well... their are pug and terrier mixes since i am looking at the shelter they dont seem like the crazy yappy small dogs some of my friends and family had. and the family i nannied for had a boston terrier who was the sweetest dog ever... and so incredibly smart.

[greenmagick]

naking here, but there are definitelu large and giat breed dogs that would be fine in an apt.....its the energy level you need to match to you and your lifestyle.

[Funny Face]

would you get a dog in an apartment with a 15 mos old?

No! Just no.


We have a dog in a second story apartment. He is VERY low maintenance but it's still just so much more work than you think getting into it.

I tell everyone who is thinking about it to wait until you are DONE having kids and they are a bit older. When I just had dd our dog wasn't too much trouble, but if you think you'll have another kiddo, it multiplies exponentially.

[mom0810]

Originally Posted by greenmagick

naking here, but there are definitelu large and giat breed dogs that would be fine in an apt.....its the energy level you need to match to you and your lifestyle.

Yes! This is very true. Size (small) though, is more convenient and cleaner, to me. I like big dogs, but I am a clean freak and little ones are easy to put in the sink or bathtub to bathe. Their messes are smaller, too.

[DogMomforNow]

I'm a big fan of people that like labs adopting older labs There are tons of older, calm labs that need homes due to the economy. By 4-5 years most are calm, will have shown signs of allergies, low child tolerance, etc. so they're super easy to fit right into a family. Of course, the same is true for most dogs that age who are in foster care! But if you had your heart set on a lab, an older one would be a fine apartment dog for your family.

However, a smaller dog would be easier in an apartment The only thing I would watch closely with Bostons and Pugs are health problems, other than those man-made difficulties they are really great little dogs!

[marimara]

I wouldn't. How are you going to walk the dog multiple times a day and carry the baby with you? What about picking up dog doo, holding a leash, and watching a toddler all at the same time? What about when your kid is sleeping/napping, and the dog needs to go out? We have a dog and I have a toddler. I considered moving to an apartment for about one minute before I thought about how I would do all that stuff. Wait till you get a house with a fenced in yard.

[mistymama]

Originally Posted by mom0810

Yes! This is very true. Size (small) though, is more convenient and cleaner, to me. I like big dogs, but I am a clean freak and little ones are easy to put in the sink or bathtub to bathe. Their messes are smaller, too.

That's how we ended up with a small dog - I've always said I wasn't a small dog person and the smallest one I've owned was an 85lb basset hound.

But dh is NOT a dog person and would only agree to something small while we are in an apartment.

I must say, he's no mess at all compared to any other dog I've owned. And I've learned I can actually like little dogs - this one has won me over and totally changed my outlook on them.