We have ALL lived near people who coop a dog up. Thats "personal experience". My current neighbour had a large dog in a 8m by 5m yard. It was hell living next to that. It shredded everything in their yard - including its wooden kennel.
We are providing you with advice - not just affirmation for your good lady wife's idea.
Requoted for truth. My best friend did this to a gorgeous pb rotty and is on the way to doing the same with her latest husky pup. Both misbehaved because they didn't have the space they needed, or the constant amusement and attention those breeds demand.
Keep in mind it will limit your future renting options too and some people just cancel the dog when they can't get a pet friendly place, that shit ain't on.
I DO live in an apartment, granted without a dog. However I have had a couple of years experience volunteering with a number of rescue groups and it's heartbreaking to see the disgusting excuses people concoct as to why they absolutely
cannot keep their 'beloved pet'
1. It grew bigger than we thought
2. New place won't take pets
3. It chews everything
4. (and personally, my MOST hated) He/She just 'doesn't get the time they deserve'.
Most of these are solved by asking quite a few simple questions BEFORE purchasing a dog- and not an attack on you, just curious on a couple. Bare in mind you're making an 8+ year commitment.
1. Where will the dog sleep, sit, wander, shit/piss in your apartment?
If the answer is that you're happy for it to wander wherever, 9/10 it will shit/piss there too- you can't litter train a dog. Say goodbye to good couches, wood anything, and carpets that will hold the doggy smell.
2. Who is primarily responsible for the dog- bear in mind this is one person of your couple- as dogs recogise an alpha not two.
3. You go on holiday- then what?
4. You have to move to a new property- then what.?
5. Who's exercising the dog, when and how often? EVERY dog regardless of breed needs to be out and about, for both the physcial movement and the mental stimulation of new smells/sounds/experiences.
6. The dog chews/barks/destroys/howls/jumps/generally doesn't behave as you want. Then what?
6. Not a question- OBEDIENCE TRAINING. If you want them to 'behave' this is no option. The main purpose will be more to create a bond and feelings of trust, so if you are out, anxiety doesn't set in.
Treat your doggy like a little person and love the shit out of it, dogs give so much unconditional joy and love as long as you give it in return.
Please, for the love of god (and Dozer, nothing against you) DO NOT TREAT A DOG LIKE A PERSON. This is why shitty little maltese/poodle/chiwawa rat dog breeds are yappy, bitey and plain awful. This would be the number one thing I would advice ANYONE getting ANY DOG to do. You'd be shocked as to how much 'bad behaviour' we incite by treating dogs as kids.
Looking at either a Boston terrier or French bulldog, both are supposed to excellent with the elderly... this is not the first time I've heard this, its supposed to be a good indicator of how "house friendly" breeds can be!
You're planning on dropping $3- 4,500 on a DOG and you can't consider a decent sized backyard to house it in????? You've got other problems going on mate. This will sound harsh but there's some other priorities not in order here. Dogs really should not be in apartments. And despite being 'good with the elderly' both of these breeds are highly independent and not well known for their obedient nature- which means the potential for a world of problems when this is contained in an apartment environment.
I've had to deal with/rehabilitate dogs that are incredibly anxious and adopt destructive behaviours from being couped up and not exercised. This will generally make you no better than the lowlife who keeps his dogs chained 6 days a week and takes them off for one day to go 'pigging'.
If you're able to in your own good conscience, ruin a dog being fully educated of the downfalls of owning one in an apartment- I'm of the opinion you don't deserve to own one.
*Disclaimer: high levels of cynicism inherent from years of dealing with idiots and their selfish lack of care for dogs, seeing beautiful pets rarely or even never getting rehomed because of their 'issues' thanks to past mistreatment. I mean none of this as a personal attack, but would offer the same advice to anyone asking in this situation.
Doggie experience: my family own rotties- our current boy has nearly 20kg on me and I can control him offleash with a few words. I also previously had a malti/shit/poo (maltese/shitzu/poodle) in a different family who suffered from 'treated like a child' misbehaviour. It's definitely not cute to have a dog barking 24/7 because something moved outside.
