In an apartment, want to get a dog.

LadyM

I'm in an apartment that allows cats but not dogs . . . I want to convince my landlord to let me get a little dog. Any advice on how to go about this?

Preacher

Well first have a breed picked out so then you aren't just asking in general, be aware of the loudness of the animal (does it bark, how often, loudly etc) and be willing to pay extra for a pet deposit (dogs can cause more damage). Most importantly don't purchase or get a dog until it has been approved.

DrZiplock

Many apartments will only allow dogs up to about 35 pounds. Maybe mention that to your landlord as well as the things that Preacher suggested.

You can ask and present a pretty solid case...that's your best chance. However, still be prepared to have him say "no."

If that is the case DO NOT go out and get one anyway. Take pause and ask yourself if having the dog is worth being evicted.

Thanatos

Do research into breeds, and show your landlord what you plan on getting, and the fact that it would make a good apartment dog.

Small=/=good apartment dog. Fox terriers are small, and terrible apartment dogs.

Charles Kinbote

You pretty much have your work cut out for you. If you had just moved in and had a dog for years that you could show the landlord how well-behaved it is, it would be different. However, you're asking a landlord to let a little puppy into his house that WILL bark, WILL poop, WILL poop wherever it wants, WILL annoy other residents, might bite, and that's just before its personality as a dog really develops. After all that, it still might turn out to be a barker, a biter, a digger, an escaper...

Preacher

I have a pembrooke welsh corgi, they are a fairly small breed of dog, not really loud (if trained not to bark they don't and they don't normally bark a lot anyway). They are a solid apartment breed and a good little dog anyway, loveable and the like. Only problem is for a purebeed pet quality corgi they can run around 300 dollars from a good breeder. So not the cheapest.

LadyM

Yeah, I'm more of a big dog person but I know that's not realistic, so I've narrowed the possible breeds down to miniature or toy poodle, a papillon, or a mixed breed that has the right characteristics for an apartment (quiet, housetrained) if I happen across one in a shelter or rescue group.

Picture of a papillon:

No, I wouldn't get a dog if he said no. For one thing, he lives on site and it would be pretty obvious that I was walking a dog every morning. Also I respect the guy, he has well-kept, cheap apartments.

Thanatos wrote: »

Do research into breeds, and show your landlord what you plan on getting, and the fact that it would make a good apartment dog.

Small=/=good apartment dog. Fox terriers are small, and terrible apartment dogs.

Oh, I agree. I find it hilarious that apartments will allow a Jack Russell terrier, a four legged instrument of hyperactive destruction but not a retired racing greyhound that's used to being kenneled all day.

DrZiplock

Sounds like you've got a pretty good grasp on things having done your homework and all that.

Good luck in asking!

LadyM

Shankill Butcher wrote: »

You pretty much have your work cut out for you. If you had just moved in and had a dog for years that you could show the landlord how well-behaved it is, it would be different. However, you're asking a landlord to let a little puppy into his house that WILL bark, WILL poop, WILL poop wherever it wants, WILL annoy other residents, might bite, and that's just before its personality as a dog really develops. After all that, it still might turn out to be a barker, a biter, a digger, an escaper...

Eh, even if I weren't in an apartment, tiny puppies are too much work. I'd be looking for an already housetrained dog past the teething stage (six months or older) and would be crate training while I'm at work until I knew the dog was trustworthy in the house.

Incidentally there is one dog who lives in the apartments, a little maltese. The lady and her dog were there before the current landlord bought the apartments, so her do was grandfathered in. I don't know why he changed the policy . . . if it was just his standard apartment policy or if he had a specific reason. I have noticed the lady doesn't pick up her dog's poop, tiny poop though it is.

Hlubocky

I would kill for a Pembroke Welsh Corgi as I'm a sucker for those short little legs and intelligent look, but I don't really see how anyone can get a puppy and work 10 hours a day. Oh well, it will have to wait I guess. Here is one of my favorite Corgi pics from cuteoverload.com:

DrZiplock

If I'm not mistaken, he may have changed the dog policy because of insurance reasons. Cheaper insurance etc..etc..