Hello there. I am thinking of getting a puppy (not necessarily a lab, but, I hope you forgive me, but, I see that you all give such great advice!). I recently bought Pippa's book, which I have nearly finished, and find myself directed to this forum, where I see lots of great advice. I can absolutely see that this would change my life completely, and I would certainly not be jumping in to this quickly. I would like to ask for some help in making this a really well-informed decision. Here are some things I am concerned about, and I wonder if you could help tell me honestly whether my concerns might be reasons to dismiss this notion. - This would be my first dog. - It's just me at home. My home is basically on the site of my place of work. So, I would be in a valuable position of being able to come home a lot during the day, although there will be chunks of time when I have to be out. If I do get a puppy, I will do so when I take annual leave, which would be a long time away still. But, I'm sounding out the whole idea at this stage. - I live in an apartment. It is at the top of a couple of flights of external stairs with its own private entrance. Just outside the front door is a paved balcony area. It's not massive, but I currently have room for plant pots etc., (although, they may go with a puppy around!) and I do put a couple of chairs out there in the summer months. Down the stairs there is a small patch of communal grass that the 3 residents of my apartment area can use. I'm sure you can see where I'm going. I have been reading about toilet training, crate training etc. I can see that I will need regular access, potentially every 30 minutes to an area where a puppy could relieve themselves. Do you think there is scope for this to take place on the balcony area for the initial phases of toilet training? Is there anything I could put there that would help make it a desirable place? There is, obviously, the bit of grass at the bottom of the steps, too. I could access this area, but it's a bit less convenient if carrying a puppy and torch and keys. But, if it's better, then I would commit to this. - My apartment is not tiny - the chap who lived here before me owned a dog, a cross-breed, comparable in size to a vizsla. It has two floors. There is a large kitchen area with a wipeable floor, and I would propose to place the crate here. I suppose it's just the ease of access that concerns me. I think I would be well-placed to do all the socialisation etc., and would commit to doing so, methodically. And, in due course, when the puppy is old enough, walking would be no problem at all. I have plenty of access to great walking areas. When the puppy has its vaccines and is able to be placed on the ground, there are plenty of lawns etc. near by, - My neighbour has cats...! I'm sure there are many other concerns, but, I'll start off with that. Thank you in advance.
Could you consider rehoming an adult dog who will not need to be carried down the steps every 30 minutes?
Thank you for your reply. Of course, I could consider this. I am interested in a puppy, as I find the prospect of guiding him or her through everything new, and building them into an adult with the many inevitable hurdles that. does present, appealing and a process to which I would be able to dedicate myself. I feel I would like to explore the prospect as. thoroughly as possible before dismissing it entirely
Well last time someone was on here asking advice about lab puppies and apartments I said it was a bad idea but they went ahead anyway and seem to be getting on fine so far. You do have to keep in mind that labs get big and heavy long before their joints mature and can safely use stairs and a long time before their brains and emotions mature. You may need to be able to carry your dog upstairs at other times in the future - if they are ill or injured for example. If I were in your position id definitely be thinking about a smaller dog. For me, some kind of enclosed outdoor area for training and just hanging out would also be essential. I've never had a dog from a puppy, both my dogs have been rescues and I highly recommend it. It's so satisfying seeing them respond to training.
Hey, I am the person @Ruth Buckley mentions above and yes it is harder being in a flat not able to open the door to the garden but our pup is doing great. She is 19 weeks today and I still carry her on the stairs, she is nearly 16kgs and know I still have to carry her for another 7 weeks until she is 6 months. However once she gets too heavy for me my husband will be able to carry her down. We were in the position where our friend had puppies and I always wanted a lab, we fell in love with our little girl and committed to do everything right by her. We aren't going to be in a flat long term and in the next year we will be in a house with access to a garden. You can get a 'toilet box' for the balcony that is like grass so you can get the pup used to toileting on grass. You will know what is right for you but if you haven't decided on what breed you would like then yes I would recommend a smaller dog.
we have a puppy in a flat but totally different scenario as we are ground floor so no stairs, and we have a large shared enclosed garden. There is other dogs with access to the garden so all the residents know & don't mind as long we are vigilant with cleaning up after them. I just know I couldn't have managed Kyko on the stairs for much past about 3 months as he was just so heavy & wriggly. But as you stated not necessarily a lab a smaller pup would be manageable
Hello, Thank you all for your kind responses. It's really good to hear other people's experiences of having a dog in an apartment, and will really help me fully explore the possibility from every perspective I would absolutely love to do all the training. I know that might sound weird, and I know, too, that it would not be plain sailing! I have actually spoken to a local shelter, about potentially adopting a grown up dog. But, they do seem to want experienced owners for all their dogs, currently, as they seem to have all come from difficult scenarios. I think this also requires a bit more research to find a good match from both perspectives. That's interesting about the 'toilet box', Christiana. How did you find that? In terms of which dog breed, my top have two friends with Tibetan Terriers, and contact with a great breeder. I like the temperament of the dogs I know; they are equally happy having a good long walk, and having a nice relax. They obviously have quite high grooming demands, but, my friends keep their dogs with shorter cuts. They are also a lot smaller than labs.
We were just looking to see what was out there in case we needed to have an option for in the house. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Indoor-Toi...&sprefix=toilet+box+for+puppy,aps,178&sr=8-16
