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Dog question: how do labs do in apartments?

Jeff7181

Jeff7181

Lifer
I've always wanted a black lab, and I've considered getting one, but I'm curious how they do in apartments. I live in a condo, but it's like an apartment with a common entrance and I'm on the second floor. My first thought is that I'd be better off waiting until I have at least a ground floor apartment, if not a house.

Anyone have any experience with having a lab in an apartment?
 
My take is that black labs can be rambunctious and do need daily, vigorous, outside exercise -- preferably somewhere off the leash imho. You can do it, but you really have to be dedicated.

Meth labs are even less suitable for apartments, though. 😛
 
Ugh a lab in an apartment? Not really a good mix. Labs tend to stay puppies until they are 4-5 years old, when a full sized dog is in puppy mode it can be very difficult to keep under control. They need lots of space for running and playing and exercise EVERY DAY, for HOURS. If you can't give them that much of your time they will most likely take out their pent up energy on the apartment. Huskies are even worse, but labs are still not great for apartments.
 
Perknose said:
My take is that black labs can be rambunctious and do need daily, vigorous, outside exercise -- preferably somewhere off the leash imho. You can do it, but you really have to be dedicated.

Meth labs are even less suitable for apartments, though. 😛
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Oh I disagree. The only better place for a meth lab is a trailer park...
 
Imo, the issues with dogs in certain living arrangements are usually down to the owner, not the size of the space. I've known large dogs to get along well for years on a small boat, or in a condo. The main thing is that dogs get anxious when left alone. I have two dogs, a large lab-golden mix, and a mid-sized poodle mix, and we have never had damage issues. As instinctive pack animals they are a lot happier when they have human or canine company. If you have to leave a dog alone during the day it can actually be less stressful to cage them,

The other thing is exercise. Dogs need a good, solid 30-45 minutes of walking a day, every day. It's good for you and them 🙂.
 
Do you like dog sh*t and piss on your floors?

We had a Lhasa Apso and he pissed and sh*t everywhere. My parents would thrown down paper everywhere. It got to the point that the stench was overpowering.

This is a small dog. I can only imagine what a large dog would do in an apartment.
 
I've had 2 labs in the past and both of them were always bursting with energy. I don't think they'd fare well in an apartment. We had a half acre sized backyard and even then they were always hyper.
 
lol, just...lol.

You always wanted a lab? Great. Get a house/yard or have someone home 100% of the time with it if you want to have it in an apartment.

I had neighbors at my old apartments that kept their lab out on their 4x7 patio along with their garbage can (3rd floor mind you). Utter trash.
 
do you have a space to take the dog out every day where it can run around? (not just taking it out on walks, but actually having the dog run and get out its pent up energy)

if not, don't do it.
 
Korea74 said:
Do you like dog sh*t and piss on your floors?

We had a Lhasa Apso and he pissed and sh*t everywhere. My parents would thrown down paper everywhere. It got to the point that the stench was overpowering.

This is a small dog. I can only imagine what a large dog would do in an apartment.
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/facepalm

I'm guessing you folks never heard of house training or with such a small dog papter training.

OP, if you plan to make the commitment of taking the dog out before/after work and having someone take the dog out in the middle of the day, it's probably not a good idea. Living in the city, there are plenty of dogs(including labs) that live in condos, however, unless their dog has matured and laid-back these folks are getting their dogs out at least three times a day for exercise and nature breaks or have the dog go to a doggie daycare.
 
Thanks for the input. Sounds like it'll be best to wait since I work an hour away from where I live and am often gone for 12 hours straight. Maybe I'll get a fish. 🙂
 
Dogs aren't well suited for apartment living. This is especially true for medium and large dogs. They need their space, and having quick access a back yard is practically essential. In a house with a yard, you could probably get away with walking it once a day. In a condo, you'll need to do so at least twice.

Also, neighbours in your condo might not appreciate it if the dog barks. So you'd really need to pay extra attention to training early on. Some condo boards might not even allow it.

I'm not a fan of leaving the animal by itself all day either. They're social and really don't like to be left alone for hours at a time. So factor in getting either a family member or dog walker to come during the day, or put it in dogie daycare.
 
Working professionals should never get an indoor dog if they are gone 9+ hours a day.
It's selfish.
 
Korea74 said:
Do you like dog sh*t and piss on your floors?

We had a Lhasa Apso and he pissed and sh*t everywhere. My parents would thrown down paper everywhere. It got to the point that the stench was overpowering.

This is a small dog. I can only imagine what a large dog would do in an apartment.
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That is possibly the dumbest thing I have read on Anandtech OT in a long time. If the dog is peeing/pooping inside, it is because it isn't being taken outside enough or was never properly trained.

OP - you really want a large dog, consider getting a great dane. Short life spans, but very mellow inside. Will obviously need some exercise, but all dogs do.
 
mmntech said:
Dogs aren't well suited for apartment living. This is especially true for medium and large dogs. They need their space, and having quick access a back yard is practically essential. In a house with a yard, you could probably get away with walking it once a day. In a condo, you'll need to do so at least twice.
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I'm being picky, but I'm not sure this is literally true. They're den animals, after all. It might be more accurate to say that dogs are not well-suited to the lifestyles of people who live in apartments. They do need to get out and run, without question.
 
Markbnj said:
I'm being picky, but I'm not sure this is literally true. They're den animals, after all. It might be more accurate to say that dogs are not well-suited to the lifestyles of people who live in apartments. They do need to get out and run, without question.
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Correct. I've seen just about every type of dog in the city. If the dog is getting exercised and time outside, most are happy to snooze away when their owners are away.

My 115lb Ridgeback like most hounds is just a big couch potato when I'm not home. And adult/older dogs don't need as much exercise also. Living quarters don't mean much to a dog, it's the amount of exercise and mental stimulation they receive that will affect the dog the most.
 
My best friend Shardik whom I had for 17 years, smartest bestest most loyal dog in the world. Labs are amazing dogs, I can never own one again becuase it will never be the same.

IMO it would be cruel to have a lab in an apartment. Dont do it.
 
Jeff7181 said:
Thanks for the input. Sounds like it'll be best to wait since I work an hour away from where I live and am often gone for 12 hours straight. Maybe I'll get a fish. 🙂
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say I hated cats but I never cared to have one, until I got one. Perfect for apartment or the lazy.
 
I believe labs require a decent amount of training (which requires time) and have a good amount of energy. They need lots of exercise. Probably not best if you can't put in the time to run them daily (frisbee or ball, etc). Other than that, they are really good dogs. Very friendly, and besides barking at noises, they are awful guard dogs because of it.
 
My lab (probably a mix) I adopted from the humane society at 8 months old would be a stellar apartment dog.

She is super calm, and usually she just sleeps at my feet. If I move she will just submit to me and expect a belly rub. She is a really dumb dog and I have to repeat my commands to her about 4 times before she obeys. But quite gentle/mellow. She is like 4 years old now. A bit timid, she was scared of me the first day and couldn't even get her in my car... The staff at the humane society had to help me get her in there.

I'd check out the dogs at your local shelter, and find one that seems calm and laid back/timid as they probably will adopt to apartment life easier.

I would not get a puppy as they would be too rambunctious to have in an apartment. Get an older dog!

But good call OP on passing on the dog. Cat would be a better choice for you. Dogs are pack animals and need something/someone around, 12 hours is too long to be away. I honestly feel bad if my dogs are locked up longer than 4 hours (during the day, at night of course its ok)
 
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