Does anyone else think that pets should not be allowed in apartments?

Question

I've always believed that animals should live in houses with BIG BACKYARDS!!

Maybe this is just my excuse because growing up my brother had every animal you could think of and he never kept them clean - - now I have a son who wants a dog and I am totally disgusted by the whole idea of it and keep telling him he can have one when we get a house (he's almost 13 now) and we still live in an apartment am I wrong to not let him have a dog because of my childhood with my brother?

Answer 1

I don't agree with you. If owners have the time and room to take care of a dog, then they can get a dog. Small dogs, or low-energy ones, can get along fine in an apartment.

Dogs can be noisy and dirty, but so can kids and even adults. It isn't fair to deny your child a pet because your brother wasn't responsible enough to properly take care of his.

Answer 2

I think it depends on the pet and the owners. Many cities have dog parks where dogs can be taken each day to run off-leash. And some dogs are just fine in apartments while others do really need more exercise. A Labrador, strangely enough, can do well in an apartment if the owner likes to run. A Bassett would love an apartment and doesn't require nearly as much exercise as a Beagle. As cute are they are - I wouldn't get a Jack Russell (see "Fraser") - those dogs are so high-energy you'd go insane. So research the breeds carefully - some do well, some don't. Some shed, some don't. Some bark, some - well, some bark less.

I would find a neighbor who has a dog and is going on vacation. Offer to dog-sit for vacation. See if the child has the patience to keep up with the dog. Brushing, walking, AND pooper-scooping.

If you decide to pursue this, consider adopting, do your research on the breed(s) of dog you want, and make a promise - you're getting the dog for his life, which could be 17 years!

Answer 3

A dog in an apartment can be difficult, and unfair to the dog. There's a BIG responsibility there. First of all, all dogs need exercises. Can your son walk the dog alone? Also, in cities, there are leash laws and pets must be picked up after where ever they GO, will your son truly do that? Maybe he should consider an indoor pet for now, until you have a place for a dog. Guinea Pigs make great pets. Let him experience caring for an animal to show he will be responsible with a dog later.

Answer 4

Lots of people successfully keep dogs in apartments. It takes a lot of work and commitment, though. Housebreaking can be difficult since you often don't have much time with young pups to get them outside and if you are way up on the 10th floor and can't get outside quickly there will be accidents. Other than that, you just have to make a serious commitment to walking the (adult) dog three times a day every day. For these reasons I would not recommend a puppy, but an older dog who can control his bladder and bowels better and does not need to go out every few hours. You can also paper train or litter box train your dog but this is only practical with smaller breeds.

It can be done but obviously things are easier for the homeowner with a fenced yard who can let the dogs out by themselves when pressed for time.

If you feel your son is old enough and mature enough to undertake this long term responsibility it could work. However, if you think there is ANY chance he will not follow through and lose interest and then you will resent the dog since it will fall on you to care for it, don't get a dog. It isn't fair to the dog.

Answer 5

I'm going to disagree only w/it depends on the breed of dog and how you care for them. A dog for your son would teach great responsibility and even more responsibility when living in an apartment. Living in an apartment is alot more inconvenient and will take alot more care by your son. Will it be fair to the dog...most certainly if he is dedicated. You could have a house w/a big backyard but ignore the dog or care for him. Is that really better then someone who lives in an apartment and takes the dog everywhere w/them, daily runs, regular vet visits, and all the love you can give? Its all in how you handle the situation. Your sons dedication to the dog may just help him cope w/todays peer pressures and give him something to work towards and keep him out of trouble cause of his dedication to his dog. Growing up I had horses and dogs and it taught me alot and kept me more focused. It will take alot of discussion and laying down the rules w/your son. Here is a website that maybe of some help for him.....www.loveyourdog.com Give it some more thought and keep an open mind. Guide your son when he needs it but let him try it out...you maybe so amazed.

Answer 6

When I lived at home with my parents I had a beagle. She was a great dog. She passed away during my final year of college. After about a year I wanted another dog, but I was always moving from apartment to apartment. I held off on buying a dog. And I'm glad I did. It would have made things hard on the dog and hard on me. I just moved into a house 1 month ago and bought a dog. Waiting made the experience all the more enjoyable.

And one other thing. A house would be much better for your SON as well. Stop renting and buy property if you can possibly afford it. Good luck!

Answer 7

I disagree. Animals like cats are healthier and live longer if kept indoors. They also can't become a neigbhrohood nuisance, don't poo in the neighbor's flowerbed, and they aren't outside killing rare pretty songbirds.

Dogs, depending on breed, may or may not need a big yard. Some small breeds are very popular with city dwellers. The only bad thing is walking a dog in an apartment complex : you'll have to pick up his poo each time.

The bigger picture is that you don't want the dog. You don't need to give him a reason. You're the mommy and mommy says no dog. :-)

Answer 8

Well I had a small dog for several years before I met the man I ended up marrying. He happened to have a job where we relocated every 1 to 2 years. Due to this we chose not to buy a house since it would not only be a headache each time we had to move but also due to the fact we would have ended up losing money selling one so quickly. So we lived in apartments. It would have really been upsetting had I had to get rid of a dog which I was so close and attached to. If a dog is trained properly there should be no problem with them in apartments.

Answer 9

I've only had cats, but I've known many dogs who were very happy living in apartments. You do have to exercise them regularly at a park of take them for a walk around the neighborhood several times a day. It's not really good to let your experience with your brother taint your dealings with your son, but 13 is old enough to be responsible for taking car of anything. He would have to see to the dog's needs and not put them on you. The more important question is can you rely on him to do that?

Answer 10

I think this might depend on where you live--and how expensive it is to own a home with a backyard (I live in the DC metro area--and most people live in condos because of the expense). Plus, there are plenty of apartment buildings that ban pets.