Apartment living with dogs
Anyone with a pet knows that life only gets better with a furry companion! As apartment living continues to trend for young professionals, families, and downsizers, pet-friendly apartment buildings are also becoming more common. A little bit of planning, research and training can go a long way to making sure you and your pets are happy and thriving in apartment.
Choosing your breed
Picking the right breed for your lifestyle and apartment is the first thing to consider. Thinking about how much time you'll be spending at home or have to dedicate to playing and exercising can help decide what type of breed will work for you. Some apartment buildings also have size restrictions on dogs, so consider the by-laws regarding which pets are allowed.
Look for an apartment building with pet friendly amenities
Beyond just being pet friendly, some modern apartment buildings consider your pets needs and include perks like off leash dog areas. Having a dedicated space within your building for your pet to burn some energy when you're too busy to go for a walk is extremely convenient. You can also meet other pet owners within the building, which comes in handy if you need a pet sitter or regular pal for your pet.
Find surrounding walkways, green spaces and dog parks
Exercising your pet will keep boredom at bay while you're at work. The average dog sleeps for 12 - 14 hours in 24 hours, so taking your dog for morning exercise can help them get into a routine that suits apartment living. Walking your dog within 30 minutes of eating can also help with toilet training and clean up.
Work out your toilet/litter options
If you can't get outside when your pet needs to go, you'll need to invest in a solution that works for your pet and space. There are plenty of indoor and balcony friendly options around. Eco friendly solutions include toilet trays that are easy to clean and reuse with artificial turf or opt for real grass with a grass subscription that can be delivered weekly, fortnightly or monthly to your door.
Put the time into training
Whether you're adopting a new puppy or bringing an older dog into a new environment, you will need to spend some time training your dog. While you don't have the mailman to worry about in an apartment, there will be new noises, people and situations that your puppy or dog have never dealt with before. Mobile trainers can come to your home and help with a specific issue that might arise.
Keep your pet entertained
You don't need a yard to keep dogs busy. There are loads of food dispenser toys on the market to keep puppies and dogs stimulated at home without their favourite human companions. Dogs love working for their food, it triggers their natural instincts and keeps their minds active, preventing boredom and destructive behaviour. Of course, if you have more than one dog, you'll need to supervise them before leaving them alone with food puzzles and treat toys as some dogs can develop resource guarding behaviour.
Croft on Fish Lane offers family friendly four bedroom apartments with residents only facilities including off-leash dog space, heated pool and spa, BBQ and entertaining areas, shared gardens, yoga spaces, modern gymnasium, lounge area with function space and kitchen facilities, acoustically treated music room and library.
Visit our Sales Suite to take a virtual tour of the remaining apartments.