Would a golden retriever puppy be okay in an apartment for a couple of months?

Question

We'd like to adopt a puppy, sooner rather than later -- but will likely be in an apartment rather than a house for a couple of months yet.

We have all the time in the world to take him for walks, to parks, etc; somebody's almost always home, it's a two-bedroom with hallways, etc -- but it's still a far cry from a house with a yard.

Your thoughts?

Landlords are fine with it. I worried mostly thanks to running into a lot of fussiness about 'suitable homes,' as though the only good ones are those with massive fenced yards, etc. I grant that that rarely comes from the nicer sort of breeder.

And, thanks for notes re. crate training, etc...

Answer 1

As long as you take the puppy for walks every day, you should be ok. Play and interact with him alot.

Answer 2

Don't worry at all! Much less if your dog is still a small puppy!!

Even if your dog will be a large breed dog such as a golden retriever, dogs are highly adaptable to their surroundings as long as you provide him/her enough excercise opportunities like taking him for walks every day or taking him to the park to run and play catch, etc. All your dog needs is your love, companionship and to have his basic doggie needs met (food, water, a nice bed for him, walks and excercise, etc).

I suggest that you paper train him and crate train him. Since you are looking for a large breed puppy, he needs to be well disciplined because in his first years of youth with all that energy and stamina (and the strength of large dogs) if he's not properly trained he will tear up your appartment and make big messes when left alone for extended periods of time. So make sure that before you get your puppy, do your research and make a plan of how you are going to train him (which methods you'll use and what suits you better). Ask people who own golden retrievers who are well behaved for advice, or ask an experienced vet (even better if he has dogs which most of them do) to give you his expert opinion and advice on training and disciplining your puppy.

Remember you have to start training him right away and be persistent throughout his life. Dogs need a routine and need repetition to learn and not forget desirable behaviors and to keep remembering which are the bad habits and behaviors that are unnaceptable.

Good luck with your puppy and I hope it all goes great.

Answer 3

As long as you're willing to give him the exercise and attention he needs, then the size of the house doesn't really matter. Goldens, like labs, are "working dogs" though and puppies, especially will create their own fun and activity if there's not someone to give it to them.

However, it sounds like you've already considered the issue and are willing to put the time in. Check with your vet on how much activity would be 'too much.' We were warned against jogging and over-walking our lab until she was about 16 months old in order to ensure her hips and knees developed properly. She's 12 now, so the conventional wisdom may have changed. However, if it hasn't, I'd also suggest mental activity in addition to the physical activity - training is often just as exhausting, and won't be too taxing to the growing bones.

I'd also suggest crate training the puppy so that s/he has a 'safe place' for those times when you can't be there.

Answer 4

Apartment is fine when the dog gets an even amount of excersize and outdoor time. I live in small 2 bedroom housing (apartment size) and my neighbors had 2 labs. The sad thing about that was i never saw them walk the dogs so I could only imagine how hyper they were inside, And ontop of that they had puppies. Wooo lol.

You could also check into any dog parks in the area. This also helps the puppy socialize.

Answer 5

Any breed can be OK in an apartment of you take them for walks, to the park things like that. I own a pit bull and live in an apartment and is very happy. You can't get much more hyper than a pit bull but he is well adjusted, loves people and gets along with other dogs well. His best buddies are a mini poodle, a cat and a ginnie pig.

Answer 6

He will be fine. There is no reason to think that a retriever needs to be an outside dog..they are more often than not, a house pet. Just walk him and let him get his exercise (along with you ... not a bad deal). Go for it, and once he is used to the house, you will not want him as a yard pet. The change might be a little too much for him, for he will be used to living with you. Good luck

Answer 7

I think for a couple months it would be okay. the reason I say this is it will be small for at least a little while. The only problem is training it. When you train a puppy and they start going on the floor, you need to rush them outside. If you are on the hundreth floor of a huge building....not a good idea. One option is to paper train it. If it is paper trained, and you walk it a lot, you should be fine.

Answer 8

I had a dog in my apartment for 7 years. Of course it will be ok. A puppy needs love and dicipline the first year of its life. As long as you can take the dog outside to go and walk it around the block once a day that is all a dog would need.

Answer 9

The real question, is if the apartment complex would allow a Golden Retriever. They usually have weight limits.
Also, puppies grow so quickly, and he's soon outgrow the apartment.
I'd suggest just waiting until you have the proper housing, before bringing home a dog.

Answer 10

That would be perfectly fine. When we moved we had 4 Brittany Spaniels in a two bedroom apartment.
I personally think dog parks are better then back yards for only dogs, because they get to interact with other dogs.

Answer 11

you need to ask the manager of the apartment or someone who works there. most apatment may say no but some do say yes which is why its a good idea to ask. if there is a specific puppy you want in the pet store it may or may not be their when you move into a house but if you ask i THINK you can take care of it at the store untill you take it home. If you like my idea then say the somene in the store, "I'd like to adopt a golden retreiver but i cant take it home for a few months. Is it okay if i bye it now and take care of it here?" and if you have to tell them why you need to.