A Doggie Dog City. Or is it?
For city residents with dogs, finding a way to keep their dog and please their neighbor can be difficult.
Landlords don’t like the carpet stains, odor, scratches on doors, walls and windows and the possibility of incidents between tenants.
Neighbors hate the excessive barking, messes on the sidewalks and the possibility of being cornered by an unleashed escapee.
It’s tough living in the city and being a dog owner. It’s even tougher for the dog. 
Last Friday, Radio Boston dedicated their show to the topic of dogs and the city. Experts and listeners debated about whether dogs should be living in the city, if there was available space and what dictates responsible owner-dog behavior.
You can listen to the full show here: http://www.radioboston.org/shows/2009/08/08/is-boston-going-to-the-dogs/
There were a couple of key points discussed during the hour that bear repeating.
- Owning a dog and living in the city does not become an issue until a dog starts causing trouble.
- Different stimuli exist between cities, suburbs and rural areas. Give a dog time to adjust to the noise, traffic and people.
- Some non-dog owners complain about the taxes they incur to pay for public dog-parks and off-leash hours.
- Statistics show a reduction in crime rates in areas where dogs are allowed and allotted time for off-leash activity. Human traffic of any kind decreases the risk that crime will occur, and many people consider their dog a form of security.
These are great things to consider when discussing if city life is conducive to a dog owner, but none of it matters if dog owners don’t act responsibly.
Cleaning up after dogs and keeping dogs on a leash, two things we know a lot about at Rascodog, are two of the biggest reasons why non-dog owners don’t like dogs! If people didn’t have to worry about stepping in poop when they walked down the sidewalk, they would probably be a lot more receptive to the idea of their neighbor the dog lover.
Dogs that bark frequently can also create tension between neighbors. The best way to deal with this problem is to make sure the dog has plenty of exercise. Remember that a tired dog is a happy dog. If a dog is properly trained and exercised regularly the chances of the dog causing trouble lessens. If you really want a dog but know you don’t have the time for intense exercise, consider adopting a senior dog. Their temperament is calmer than that of a puppy and their exercise needs considerably less rigorous.
Just because you don’t own a dog doesn’t mean you should be exempt from providing space for those who do have dogs as pets. Another way of looking at this is paying taxes for public schooling. Many dog owners have dogs instead of kids, but their taxes go towards funding public school programs. There should be give and take on both sides.
Now it’s poll time: [polldaddy poll="1868084"]
Check out these great blogs for resources and stories on how to choose an appropriate dog for apartment life (and things that might happens if you do…)
What Are Good Dog Breeds For People Who Live in Apartments?
City dogs are sometimes the happiest dogs! The key, as with everything, is the owner & how well he trains the dog. Like you said, owners need to first chose a breed that can acclimate well to the living situation, make sure the dog gets lots of exercise, that train the dog how to be a good neighbor (& not bark excessively).
A problem arises when people neglect their animals. Proper care and like you say exercise, will help eliminate many problems.
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