Big Dog Summer
This is part of our series of informational tips for adopting, training, and handling large dogs.
Despite having so much love to give, larger dogs are often overlooked by potential adopters, making them the majority of long-term shelter dogs across the country.
Living in an apartment with a large dog doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right strategies, everyone can live in harmony. Here are our top five tips to ensure a happy and harmonious life with your big furry friend in an apartment setting.
Our Top Five Tips
Give Them a Quiet Resting Area
Ensure your dog has a comfortable resting area where they can relax. This space should be quiet and cozy, providing a safe haven for your dog to unwind.
For many dogs, this comes in the form of a dog crate! A crate gives your dog a secure place to retreat and can help manage their behavior when you’re not home. Make the crate inviting with soft bedding and a favorite toy. Visit our crate training blog post to learn more.
Use Mealtime as an Enrichment Activity
Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for large dogs. Engaging your dog’s mind can help reduce excess energy and make them more relaxed during walks. Instead of just using a plain bowl, try these enrichment activities during mealtime:
- Puzzle feeders: Toys like KONGs are great for keeping your dog mentally engaged.
- Container feeding: Use old Amazon boxes, empty paper towel rolls, and paper grocery bags for feeding. Let your dog tear these up for fun, but make sure they don’t ingest any paper.
- Icy treats: Freezing kibble into an ice can be a refreshing treat, especially in hot weather.
Get Into Training
Training sessions are crucial for mental stimulation and building a strong bond with your dog. Regular training helps with obedience and can make apartment living smoother. Joybound has a wide variety of classes available!
Create an Indoor Play Area
Designate a space in your apartment for indoor fetch, and other fun games. Use a slip-proof floor and a rebound surface (like a pitching net) to keep the game contained and safe.
Manage Apartment Distractions & Triggers
Apartment living can be busy, and noisy. We encourage you to play music or use brown noise to dampen the sounds of neighbors. This can help your dog remain calm and reduce anxiety.
If your dog tends to bark at people outside, you can use curtains (or even opaque window film) to block visual triggers. This isn’t a permanent solution, it’s just a way to gradually train your dog to remain calm and not react to outside stimuli.
Give it a Try
With the right preparation and routines, living in an apartment with a large dog can be a great experience. By focusing on enrichment, training, and creating a comfortable environment, you can ensure your big dog stays happy and well-adjusted. Remember, a little creativity and consistency go a long way in making apartment living enjoyable for both you and your furry friend.
