Do you dream of having a Labrador but live in an apartment? And you've probably heard that having a dog in an apartment is a very bad idea. But is this statement substantiated or is it a preconceived idea?
Can Labrador be kept in apartment?
The answer is yes. First of all, because all dog breeds (or almost) are able to adapt to live in an apartment, even if the owner knows his dog and does everything possible to meet his needs. It would be a big mistake to think that only small breed dogs can live in apartments, and that big dogs are only happy in a garden in the country. A small Jack Russell, very energetic, will have more problems to get used to a small space than a Great Dane, calmer and more homely.
Logically, a really small area can be a problem for a dog the size of a Labrador, and it is preferable not to adopt a dog if you live in a studio apartment. But apart from that particular case, nothing prevents you from adopting a Labrador even if you live in an apartment. However, having a dog in an apartment is not the same as if you live in a house, and you will have to be willing to adapt and compromise.
Labrador in an apartment: ask yourself the right questions
You should ask yourself these questions even if you live in a big house with a garden: do you work outside the house, do you spend a lot of time outside every day (more than six hours), can you come home during your breaks to take care of your dog, do you have enough time to spend with him during your days off, can you take him out for a walk for at least one and a half hours a day, not counting short trips to relieve himself?
A dog, and especially a dog like the Labrador, endowed with a character very attached to his master, needs human contact. If it spends many hours alone, it can be unhappy, even if it has a large garden. A Labrador living in an apartment will be happier and more fulfilled than a Labrador locked up in a big yard that never goes out and has no human contact. Spending time with him is part of caring for your dog.
If you work away from home, try to come back in the middle of the day to take your dog out. If this is impossible, don't hesitate to ask a neighbor, friend or acquaintance. You can also hire a pet-sitting service.
To prevent your four-legged companion from getting bored when you are away, don't forget to buy him lots of games and toys. Labradors are very greedy: offer them Kong-type toys, where you can hide a prize. But be careful not to overdo it, as Labradors are prone to overweight and obesity, which can drastically reduce their life expectancy. Consider taking out mutual insurance for your Labrador to help you cope with your dog's health problems.
When you come home from work, take your dog out again and play with him. It is essential to prevent your dog from getting bored, especially if you live in an apartment, because he could develop problematic behaviors: destruction and especially barking, which causes problems with neighbors that are difficult to solve.
Related: 10 Best Dog Breeds for Apartment Living
Living with a Labrador in an apartment: two essential learnings
Educating your Labrador is essential, no matter what. He is a responsive dog, a fast learner and loves to please his master. But if you live in an apartment it is important, even more than if you live in a house, that you focus on teaching him two things: to go to the toilet and to stay alone. Teach him to relieve himself outside
Doing his business in the street is not innate for dogs. After all, why not relieve himself quickly at the first available spot? Teaching a dog to go to the bathroom, when we live in an apartment, often takes longer than if we live in a house, but it's not impossible. Start by taking your dog out after every nap, every meal, every play session and every morning. Show him where to relieve himself (a patch of grass, in the gutter) and praise him when he does it, with a treat or a treat. You won't get rid of him escaping at home, but in those cases don't get angry. Be lenient with him and keep teaching him. The Labrador is intelligent: he will eventually understand what you expect from him. Teach him to stay alone
This is another fundamental point to work on. Your Labrador puppy has to be able to live without you. Otherwise, you could face a phenomenon of hyper-attachment and separation anxiety that is difficult to manage. From the moment the puppy arrives home, at two months, go out for a moment on the landing (about five minutes) and come home. Do not pet him or give him a treat! Your dog should not associate your return with any special event. And the same for when you leave: don't talk to him or promise him that you'll be back soon. Go out without saying anything, as if everything were normal. Gradually increase the length of your outings. Your little Labrador will eventually wait patiently for you.