Tips for Dog Owners Living in Multi-unit Residences

There are quite a few things you need to do when you have a dog and living in a multi-unit residential unit or planning to do so. The first thing will be to check the entire area. You must even check the complex that surrounds it thoroughly. It will help you find if there are any hazards to the safety of your dog.

#1 The importance of socializing your dog

It is essential to socialize your dog in an environment, irrespective of how busy it is. Let the dog experience as much traffic as it does. When you move in, introduce yourself and your dog to your immediate neighbors. It would make sure that your dog gets acquainted with them. The same goes for the dogs that they may have.

After all, these are the people that your baby would be coming face-to-face with every day. When you get to know your neighbors who have dogs, it can be mutually beneficial for you as that could let you take care of each other’s dogs if any such need arises, such as when it gets late to get home.

#2 Being respectful of others

It is important. For example, before you get into an elevator, you must ask others if they are okay with your dog getting along the same. When there is already another dog in the elevator, you should wait for the next or take the stairs. Dogs can find small and confined areas such as these to be threatening.

#3 Positioning yourself properly

Always make sure you have posited yourself between your dog and other people or dogs using the same public area in that building. 

#4 Take extra care while walking on staircases

Do you have a small dog? In that case, when you are walking with them down a staircase, you need to be careful as you can. There is a high chance of small dogs falling through railings or between the stairs.

Apart from that, there is a chance that you may trip on them while you are maneuvering the area. You need to train your dog to walk slowly when climbing the stairs with you. Train them to wait so that the other residents can walk by without incident.

#5 Consider training such as obedience sessions 

If you want, you can go for one-on-one training. This way, both of you would learn a lot. Moreover, you would be regarded as great neighbors. Apart from that, this would help your dog spend a lot more energy.

You can train them for 10 to 15 minutes each day in basic movements. It includes teaching them basic commands such as “sit, come, stay, and walk-in leash”. It would be even better if you could do this twice a day.

#6 Training them indoors 

When the weather is inclement, you can always get such training done in the lobby or hallway of the building, provided it is safe to do so. Otherwise, your home is a good option in this regard.

#7 Keeping them busy when they are outdoors 

Keep your dog busy when they are indoors. You can always provide the best food puzzles that reward them with treats if they successfully solve them. Toys stuffed with food are a good option. You can keep switching these up. That way, your dog would have fun trying new things every day.

Nonetheless, it would keep them hooked on such activities as well.  

#8 Do not let them become nuisance barkers

If your dog barks even when you are at home, it means that they are nuisance barkers, and you have to take steps to control such behavior. You have to learn how to manage such unwelcome behavior of your pet.

This way, both you and your neighbors would be able to enjoy a living environment that is so much more serene and peaceful. If they bark when you are not at home, you can always get help from a qualified therapist specializing in dog behavior. This way, you would learn the ways to stop them from barking and be at peace in such situations. 

#9 Think about crate training your dog 

Dogs have descended from animals who live in dens. Therefore, they like pet carriers and crates that act as natural shelters. You should provide soft bedding in the dog crate. Keep it at a place where your dog feels the most comfortable.

Crating your dog while away from them makes sure they have a safe environment for such stressful situations as your absence. It also reduces the chance that they would bark at those times or cause any other damage to the house, its belongings, or themselves.

You must also never leave your dog locked on the balcony of your flat or unattended in any other way.

#10 Get training that helps you understand dog’s behavior 

If you can gauge and understand the tendencies and temperament of your dog, you can control its behavior. If your dog is well-behaved, there is little chance that it would upset other people and dogs as well. It is especially true for public places.

It means they would be a lot more welcome at the various gatherings, where you get invited. They would have a great relationship with everyone that they meet. Plus, their good manners would show that you – the pet parent – are a responsible person. It will be good for your reputation as well.

Conclusion 

It is common knowledge that having a little four-legged bundle of joy could prove to be uplifting for everyone who wants one. However, as a pet parent, you must be responsible as well.