Hi fellow dog lovers - pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and let’s talk about something we all hold incredibly dear: our four-legged best friends – and specifically apartment living with them. If you are reading this, you are probably already living in a high-rise, apartment or unit complex or you’re thinking about taking the leap. On behalf of your dog, thanks for thinking about them as part of your decision-making process.
Living in a Smaller Unit
When you make the transition from a big house with a sprawling grassy backyard to an apartment, you aren’t just changing your address—you’re changing your dog’s entire world. In a traditional house, a lot of dog care happens passively. If your dog needs to pee, they just exit via the doggy door. Got the zoomies? Let them run around the yard. But in an apartment, especially if you don’t have a courtyard or balcony, you lose that built-in convenience. Suddenly, you become the director, the concierge, and the personal trainer for your pooch. Let’s jump into what it really takes to give our furry friends the best, happiest life possible when square footage is just a little less.
Barking
First things first: let's talk about the dreaded B-word. Barking! When you live in a house, your dog can bark at a passing leaf or a wandering cat, and only your immediate neighbours might hear it. In an apartment building, you have neighbours above you, below you, and directly across the hall and next to you. Hallway noises are a norm of unit living, and for a dog, a strange footstep right outside the door is a reason to sound the alarm.
To take extra care of your dog in this area, you need to focus on desensitisation. It’s all about helping your pup understand that every single noise in the hallway doesn’t require a 10-minute barking concert. A lot of apartment dwellers find that a little background noise, like music or even a white noise machine, works absolute wonders. Personally, I have a neighbour who is very noisy around 4:30-5:30pm in the arvo. Heaps of noise, so about 4pm I put on music. It muffles the sounds of what’s going on.
Bathroom
Next up is the bathroom situation, and this is probably the biggest shift for both you and your dog. In a house, bathroom breaks are effortless. In an apartment, going to the toilet requires a full expedition. You have to grab the leash, find your keys, get in the elevator (or take the stairs), and make it all the way down to the ground floor. If you are able to select an apartment with a balcony or courtyard, that is ideal. Even a small space, with some fake grass, makes life easier. Pick up things, hose the fake grass and you’re set. A vinegar spray before you hose also helps eliminate smells.
However, if you’ve no outside areas, you have to be highly proactive about your dog’s bathroom habits. Consistency is your best friend here. You want to aim for regular outings throughout the day, ensuring your dog gets to do their business at similar times every morning, afternoon, and evening. Most adult dogs can hold their bladders for several hours, but ideally, they should be able to relieve themselves at least three or more times a day. And of course, when they get older, they need to go a bit more often. Remember also, if there are steps only, how will an older dog cope with all those stairs? Hey, if your legs aren’t so young, how will you cope?
Exercise
Now, let's chat about exercise and the classic myth that big dogs can’t live in apartments. That is simply not true! A large, laid-back dog can be perfectly happy sleeping the day away in a 60-square-meter flat, but be selective with your breed. What truly matters is that you meet their specific physical and mental needs.
However, because your dog no longer has the luxury of pacing around a huge yard, you have to consciously prioritise their exercise. Depending on your dog’s breed, age, and energy levels, daily walks are an absolute non-negotiable and really, if they don’t have outdoor space, then two decent walks a day. And remember, the walk is for the dog, not only for you! This means you should give them plenty of time to stop, sniff, and investigate to their heart's content. For dogs, mental activity and sniffing are actually far more stimulating and exhausting than simply walking in a straight line. A 20-minute walk filled with sniffs can tire out a curious pooch far better than a brisk jog around the block; it’s not only the exercise; it’s their mental break. I see dogs in units and apartments who are never walked, and of course, they are the ones constantly barking and misbehaving; and no wonder, no exercise, limited stimulation and no opportunity to read the ‘wee mails’.
But what happens when you’re stuck at work, or the weather is absolutely awful outside? Now, by awful, I mean really bad; not just a drop or two. My dog prefers a walk in the rain than missing out on walkies. Interactive toys and puzzle feeders are an apartment dog’s best friend. You can stuff a Kong toy with all-natural peanut butter or hide treats inside a puzzle-dispensing ball. If you want to get really creative, you can even make your own enrichment toys. Things as simple as hiding your dog’s kibble in rolled-up cardboard toilet paper rolls or an old egg carton can keep them entertained for ages. It sends them on a fun treasure hunt around your living room, which burns off a ton of energy.
Did you know that playing a 10-minute game of tug-of-war can burn just as much energy for your dog as an hour-long walk? It's true! So don’t feel like you need a massive backyard to play with your pup. Engaging games of fetch, learning new obedience tricks, and practising commands for 10 to 15 minutes at a time are fantastic energy burners. Plus, it’s a brilliant way to bond with your dog and keep them focused on you instead of the sounds outside. Just make sure to rotate their toys every few days to keep things interesting. I have a basket of toys and whenever Theo visits, he goes straight there to check it out. Having things to play with means your shoes and furniture are less likely to be the focus of their attention.
Sleep
While we are talking about keeping your dog happy, let’s also talk about sleep. Dogs sleep a lot more than we do! On average, an adult dog needs about 14 hours of sleep every single day, and puppies or senior dogs can sleep up to 20 hours. So, while it’s crucial to make sure they are active when they are awake, it is just as important that they have a peaceful, quiet, and comfortable place to get their beauty rest. A side mention also is bloat prevention. Large, deep-chested breeds (like Great Danes, German Shepherds, or Labradors) are at risk for bloat. It’s recommended that you use elevated food bowls and strictly avoid rigorous exercise for one hour before and after meals.
Even if your apartment is quite small, try to carve out a cozy corner just for your dog. It could be a crate lined with their favourite blankets, or a well-padded orthopaedic dog bed in the corner of the living room. This gives them a safe sanctuary to retreat to when they need a break from the hustle and bustle of their daily routine.
Remember also, with larger dogs, they need more space; their turn circle is larger, and that tail is likely to swipe things off coffee tables. So, I do recommend that if you’re in a smaller space, be a little minimalistic when it comes to furniture and nick-nacks. They (and you) need room to move, turn, and even lie down, without being cramped or bumping into things. Remember too, to get a rug/runner for your hallway. Large dogs (really any dog) can be prone to problems if they slip on floors.
Socialisation
Living in an apartment building also means your dog is constantly sharing communal spaces with other people and pets. You’ll be sharing elevators, stairwells, and narrow corridors. Because of this, it is super important to invest time in socialisation and obedience training. If you’ve an elevator, consider elevator training, initially when it’s most likely quiet. You want your dog to be comfortable and calm when the lift door opens and people are right there. Also if considering a new place, check out the rules for dogs. Some Body Corps limit size (usually up to 20 kgs) or require full immunisation etc. Find out before you make the move.
A well-socialised and well-behaved dog makes apartment living so much easier and fosters a harmonious community. For instance, always keep your dog on a leash in shared areas, be mindful of their paws on rainy days, and be quick to clean up after them both inside the building grounds and in the surrounding area. Even hold back your dog and let others pass first. You might also consider avoiding peak times to exit, such as 8am or 5:30pm, when traffic is heaviest. Build a reputation as a responsible and considerate pet owner, so the community will love your dog almost as much as you.
Temperature
Also, be aware of temperature control. Smaller areas can get cold, or heat up more. If you are heading out for the day, make sure you set a comfortable temperature. Leave a fan or the air conditioning running on hot summer days, and make sure your dog has a warm blanket to snuggle into during the winter months, plus, of course, more than just one water bowl (yep, I actually have 3 water bowls in my place) … my dog will never run dry!
Also, it’s worth noting that city apartments are surrounded by concrete, and that concrete gets brutally hot in the summer sun. Vets often remind owners about the "seven-second rule"—if you can't comfortably hold the back of your hand against the pavement for seven seconds, it is far too hot for your dog’s sensitive paws to walk on. In an apartment building, you might have to walk a little further to find grassy patches or shaded trails during the hotter months, or adjust your walk time to occur early or late.
Independence
Finally, one of the biggest challenges for apartment dog lovers is leaving our pets alone. Dogs are incredibly social animals, and while they can learn to be independent, it requires patience. If you’re working huge hours, consider doggy daycare or hiring a dog walker so your pooch gets a break and won’t be prone to separation anxiety.
Overall, caring for a dog in an apartment takes a bit more deliberate thought and planning, but it is deeply, endlessly rewarding. It forces us to be more present with our dogs, to get outside more often, and to really understand what makes our furry best friends tick. By putting that extra love and care into your daily routine, you can turn even the coziest apartments into an absolute paradise for your dog - big or small. 🐾