5 Ways to Get Your New Puppy Adjusted to Apartment Life
February 7, 2019
You finally added a new member to your family: a new puppy! Oftentimes, the overwhelming feelings of excitement has the owner forgetting about some of the tough first few months with a new puppy, especially in a new apartment. How are they going to do in a crate while I’m at work all day? Should I come home at lunch to play with them? Are they crying while I’m away from my apartment and annoying the neighbors? These are all questions that often run through a new puppy owner’s mind and we have some tips for how you can get your new furry friend adjusted to apartment living!
- Choose A Spot Where They Will Always Go to The Bathroom “The Potty Spot”: Make sure your puppy knows that this is the one and only area they will go to the bathroom. Of course, once they are older, they will go other areas, but in the beginning few months stick to a specific spot. Associate a specific phrase such as “good girl” or “good boy” after they go and continue to stick to that phrase and spot. You’ll be surprised how quickly some dogs will associate those words and specific locations with their duties! 😊
- Familiarize Your Dog: You can show your dog your new apartment, have them sniff it out, see where water/food is, etc. Too much at once can be overwhelming for the dog, so maybe just start with the living area and kitchen, then later the bedroom, etc.
- Chew Toys: Buy plenty of chew toys that you can leave throughout your apartment. Puppies love to chew, so instead of them chewing on your new couch, they can chew on their toy in that area. Encourage when they chew on it with a treat or a praise.
- Have A Designated Sleeping Area: Dogs love their “territory” – a place that they know is only theirs. Whether this is a crate or a small dog bed, make sure your dog can see this place is only theirs, with their own blanket/toys, isolation, etc.
- Crying? If your dog is crying when you leave, they likely have separation anxiety. Try putting some of your own clothes in their crate, like a tee or sweater, so they can smell your scent while you are gone. There are other things such as scent diffusers or thunder jackets to make your dog feel more secure in their crate while you are away.
Another great idea is to be in contact and have open communication with your neighbors so that they can let you know if they hear your dog whining or crying while you are away. It helps a lot to know what’s going on when you are not in the apartment with your puppy and a neighbor can certainly let you know what they hear!
