Dogs Living in the City Can Thrive Without a Yard in the Suburbs
Dogs living in the city often flourish in the hustle and bustle environment of an urban lifestyle. In many cases people tend to wait on getting a dog until they move to a house where they have a yard. Dogs can thrive or backslide in any living environment depending on the mental and physical interaction they get.
Deciding when to get a dog should not be about where you live, but how much time you have to spend with a dog. Here are some reasons dogs living in the city can have a happy and healthy life without a yard of their own.
No Excessive Barking
Living in a building with other residents inhibits you from having a vocal dog without getting noise complaints. Apartment and condo dwelling dogs get used to the sounds of foot traffic and nearby doors opening and closing, leading to fewer reactions when they hear a sound. Many clients say that because of where they live, they want their dog to bark when someone comes to the property. When something out of the ordinary happens, your dog will react, but dogs living in the city will not incessantly bark at every person who passes by the window.
Leash Passive, Not Reactive
One of the reasons dogs living in the city do not seem bothered by being around many people while walking has to do with those people ignoring the dog. They have somewhere to go, something to do and assume you do too. It is much more relaxing, for you and your dog, to go on a walk without random strangers coming into their space and reaching for them.
Dogs without a fenced yard have to go out for walks. Often every time they use the bathroom. Sights, sounds and (most importantly) scents in the city are always changing. Every walk in a busy city is very stimulating for a dog. When living in a less stimulating environment, dogs will self-stimulate. Life gets busy. It is easy to open a back door and let the dog out to do their business and ‘get some exercise.’ The onset of behaviors like running the fence line, chasing cars, digging or barking at passers-by can crop up when not looking. Walking a dog in the suburbs tends to be more of an event too. You are most likely not leashing your dog when they go out to use the bathroom in a fenced yard. Therefore, just seeing the leash can send them into an adrenalized state before even starting the walk.
Things to Do
Many companies cater to dogs living in the city. During work hours, there are services for dog walkers, sitters, groomers, trainers, day cares and play groups that will keep your dog busy. Some companies with downtown offices even allow owners to bring their dogs to work. In the evening, there are bars, restaurants and other local hotspots that will allow pooches to hang out while you unwind from the day. Have a look at the website BringFido to see what attractions are in your area that are pup friendly!
There are many indoor places to go when the weather turns too hot or cold out. Agility, nose work, Frisbee, and other group classes, indoor dog parks, and dog swimming pools are all great options during bad weather.
Dogs need to run and stretch their legs. Major cities have beautiful and large parks. You can take your dog to play fetch, swim, run or just roll in the grass and enjoy the smells. If not within walking or biking distance, a quality park is usually a short drive away. You can read more here on the best ways to choose and use dog parks with your pup.
*Make sure you have a solid recall on your dog before letting them off leash around other dogs or people.