How can I get my dog to feel comfortable in my apartment?

Question

I live in a two bedroom apartment with a roommate who fortunately loves dogs. My dog is about 55 lbs. and is really a sweet dog but he has lived with in a house up until now with a backyard. Since I have brought him to my apt, he is constantly worried about all of the noises he hears from other apartments in the building. He gets really restless and whines a lot. When I left for work, he was whining after I closed the door. I am afraid he will do this all the time! I wish I didn't have to bring him here but I don't have a choice. I love him lots and don't want to get rid of him. I am a college student and can't really afford to bring him to doggy day care. How can I help him calm down? And will time allow him to get used to all of the new noises? Is there anything I can do to prevent him from whining when I leave?

Answer 1

Everyone who answered me gave you all the right answers.
Long walks before you leave
Animal Planet/ Cartoon network
Radio to drown out bldg noises
Doggie Parks (if available)
plenty of toys Kongs you can fill with food/ puzzle toys for dogs

A crate is great, make it soft and comfortable, leave the gate open, let him have his crate to secure his mind not his body. You can introduce a dog to a crate by placing their treats& favorite toys in the crate, eventually they will go in there just to rest.

I had 2 male pitbulls when I 1st move back to Chicago years ago, I had a small apt in the city. It took some time but eventually they ajusted.
Also don't make your exit a dramatic event, just simply get ready and leave, no good-byes. I know it sounds cruel, but the less stress you bring to them the quicker they adjust.
And don't forget to leave a few snacks out for him, put them in different places in the house, it gives him something to do, leave them in the same places every day, so he gets use to his routine when your not around. Good Luck, things will be just fine it will just takes time for him to adjust.

Answer 2

There's a few things you can do. Give him more attention and make a huge fuss before you leave. Also, get a blanket or something that smells like you and let him lay on it while you're gone. There's also something people call a "bye-bye" bone that has a hollow middle. Stuff some really good treats in there that are hard, but not too hard, to get out, and that'll distract him. When you come home, scoop the rest of the treats out and give them to him, then take him for a walk or whatever.

Answer 3

Yes,
the best thing you can do, which will require work on your part, is to get up early and take him for a nice long walk before you leave. This could help use up some of his morning energy and provide him with quality time with you.
You can provide lots of good, tough toys to keep him busy (be very careful NOT to give him anything he can chew apart and swollow. Rubber Kongs with hollow center for peanut butter is great and can keep him busy for hours.
Turn on the tv or radio and that might help him feel like he has company.
Hope this helps
Good luck

Answer 4

Make sure that your dog is getting enough excersize and when you see him becoming restless, pet him and tell him that there's nothing to worry about. I think you should give him time in your apartment to adapt to the noise and his surroundings. Also, while you are away, you could always turn a T.V. or a radio on so your dog doesn't get so distracted and scared by the other noises around him.

Answer 5

Hounds of that kind are very full of life, Basset Hounds are in general even tempered, no longer displaying a lot curiosity in spending power. Another breed I'd endorse is a Bulldog, they weigh approximately 35-50 kilos and brief haired. Usually no longer requiring an excessive amount of undertaking, and so they tire convenient, superb for rental existence. The handiest truly challenge with the Bulldogs is that they recover from heated quite simply so you would want A/C or cool water round continuously together with colour.

Answer 6

this may sound crazy but leave the tv on animal planet. I have to do this everytime i leave my dog alone. (shes a pit bull mix) they will hear the other dogs on the tv and i guess it makes them feel not so alone. When we moved into an apartment my dog would not leave my room for anything but its been like 4 months now and shes starting to venture out into other parts of the apartment (its pretty big). If your dog isnt crate trained now may be the time to introduce him to one. a crate give a dog a sense of sercurity and its own space. make sure to leave out toys and chew toys for him to entertain himself with. Treat dispensers work great.

Answer 7

Yes a toy called kong u put treat inside & she has to work to get it out. it also cleans teeth. Hide some treats other places in apt. Be friendly w/immediate neighbors and ask if he is making to much noise. Assure them u will work with him.If u have any family Teens?? ask them to check on him when ur away long periods.Sometimes u have to muzzle to keep quiet.

Answer 8

i leave my tv on for my dog and rabbit when i leave my apartment. they seem content with the cartoon channel. i guess it's the upbeat sound. you could also try the stereo. my vet told me to do this with one of my old dogs. it helps suppress the sound of outside and they become familiar with the noise with the tv. if you think about it the poor dog is in a new place with no familiar sound or smell. you may also want to leave a shirt that you have slept in on your dogs bed so he will have your familiar scent to cuddle up to. you won't have to get rid of the dog. you two will be fine with a little patience and understanding. don't forget plenty of walks (try to keep on schedule as much as possible) and plenty of toys.

Answer 9

I second leaving the TV on animal planet, we have a bird dog so we leave it on the hunthing shows, also the dog may feel more comfortabel it he is left in his crate with a pillow and a **** of yours so her can smell you. Its similar to why youd swaddle a baby, they feel mor secure in a smaller space.

Answer 10

I agree with all the other people that a long walk before leaving will help. Backgroung noise like television or radio will help.