When living in an apartment, its important to know whether or not the dog breed you have or are thinking of getting will be comfortable and adaptable to apartment life.
In short, dachshunds are wonderful apartment dogs who will generally do just fine within a smaller living space.
Ultimately, you need to know the temperament of your particular dog to know if they will adjust to apartment life.
There are some considerations, however, that you need to be aware of when dealing with dachshunds and apartments. We’ll go through some of those within the article below.
Speak with your landlord
Communication is key and knowing your building’s pet policy is extremely important before signing a lease.
You may love the building and decide that getting a dachshund just isn’t in the cards, or you may simply want to move on to the next apartment that is pet friendly.
The good news is that even if they have size requirements for pets that they allow, a dachshund’s small stature will work in its favor.
You may be required to put an additional deposit down for any damage that may occur from your doxie, however, this is normal and should be stated clearly in your lease.
Don’t be sneaky! There is no way you’re going to be able to keep your dachshund’s presence a secret from your neighbors or landlord.
You will get caught and then you will be forced to move or give up your dog.
Small size is a plus
The most obvious thing going for a dachshund and apartment living is their small size.
It goes without saying that it is much easier having a smaller dog breed living with you in your apartment than a large breed – i.e. a German Shepherd.
Dachshunds won’t knock into everything within your apartment or need a large space to roam.
Providing that they feel comfortable within your apartment and have the necessary items to keep them occupied, their size is ideal for small space living.
Barking
It’s no secret that dachshunds can bark quite a lot and sometimes it can be annoying.
It’s one thing to be annoyed at your dog’s bark within the confines of your house, it’s another thing to have your dachshund barking within an apartment.
You will get to know your neighbors fairly quickly if your dog is barking in your apartment.
They will not be impressed and may take the issue up with you directly (hopefully) or worse file a complaint with the apartment superintendent about the noise of your dog.
Either way, you will have a problem on your hands.
Here are some tips to help with your dachshund barking in your apartment:
Block their view as this will prevent them from getting excited by perceived threats or something exciting they may see in the window.
Give them something to do by providing them with a tennis ball or maybe even better – cutting the tennis ball open slightly and stuffing some treats within it.
This will keep your dachshund occupied for hours as they try and get at the treats.
Exercise your feline friend before you leave for the day. This can do wonders for their restlessness and will tire them out for the morning.
A quick walk in a nearby park or even along the sidewalk outside your apartment will hopefully use up some of their energy.
Blankets are a great idea if your dachshund likes to dig and explore as this will also keep them occupied and busy.
Leave the TV on with low volume if you think this will help your dachshund feel like someone else is with them in the room.
Having them in a crate for a short time may actually settle them down and make them feel secure, thus lessening the chance of them barking.
Seek professional dog training as a last resort if their barking doesn’t seem to be under control.
If they seem to bark at the slightest noise or movement, even when you’re home with them in your apartment, then you probably need further techniques.
A qualified dog trainer can help with this.
Adaptable
Like anything in life, moving from a spacious home to an apartment will take some adjustment. Is your dachshund a puppy?
Great, it will be fairly easy as they just don’t know any better and apartment life will become the ‘norm’.
But what if your dachshund previously lived in a home with easy access to a yard?
This will be more of a challenge and depending on the age and temperament of your dog you will need to take this into consideration.
Know that dachshunds like to burn off energy, so if you can create a consistent exercise routine of going outside often then you should have no issue with your dog adapting to apartment life.
Apartments can be noisy
Most apartment buildings are located in the city close to traffic, sirens, buses and lots of people. Do not assume that your dachshund will be ok with his or her new home.
You’ll want to introduce your doxie to these changes slowly and make sure they are comfortable with their new surroundings.
You may need to spend extra time with your dog and provide more leash time for your four legged friend.
Set time aside to give them activity each and every day to ensure their transition to apartment life is a good one.
Need for exercise
Dachshunds don’t necessarily need as much exercise as other dog breeds, however, they are still fairly active and need to burn off energy.
Just because you will be living in an apartment doesn’t mean you should break their routine of going out and exercising often.
Yes, it will take more effort to go down the hallway, into the elevator, and out the building – but it will be worth it.
Your dachshund will love you for it and will make their apartment experience a positive one.
Potty training
Depending on your situation, you may need to consider a pee pad or dog litter box in your apartment until you can successfully potty train your doxie.
Pee pads will usually contain a scent that will attract your dachshund to go on the pad.
Make sure to praise your feline friend when they successfully use it or to place your dog on the pad when its showing the classic signs of needing to go.
Try to find pads that are reusable and washable.
Dog litter boxes can be a square of synthetic grass on top of a tray, a pan that holds litter or can even be actual grass delivered to you by monthly subscription.
You can keep this in the corner of your apartment or even put it outside on your balcony if possible.
Vaccinations
Ensuring your dachshund is free of parasites and vaccinated is extremely important within an apartment complex.
Should the worst happen and your dog bites someone, you’ll need to prove that it was vaccinated.
Because you are going to be on shared common areas and interacting with children and other folks, this is very important and you shouldn’t neglect this task.
Other dogs within building
Get to know your neighbors and tenants within your building so that you can network with other dog owners.
Dogs like to have companionship and maybe its possible you can coordinate your dog walks with another dog so that your dachshund has someone to be friends with.
Sometimes there is a teenager or retiree who would be more than happy to walk your dog. It could be complimentary or you could pay them a small amount for the gesture.
What’s great about being in an apartment is the proximity to everyone, so there is a better chance of getting to know people compared to being in a house.
First floor
Do you need to be on the first floor when you own a dog in an apartment? Not necessarily, but having said that it would certainly help.
If you can simply open your sliding door and walk out to the common areas with your dog it can be tremendously convenient.
Obviously there are downsides to a first floor apartment unit, namely security and increased noise from outside.
Having said this, all the benefits that come with it for dog owners may be worth it.
Setting up rules and guidelines
You’re going to be living in a confined space. This doesn’t mean that your dog gets to takeover your apartment.
You’ll need to train your dachshund to know if its OK to lounge on your sofa or pick a spot on your bed.
Set up clear guidelines and training for your dog when it comes to your apartment space.
Just because the space is smaller, doesn’t mean that you should forego rules as to what areas of the apartment are off limits.
Reassure neighbors
Your neighbors may be dog people already or they may not. Be proactive and introduce your doxie to them whenever you can.
It’s important that they know that you are training your dog within your apartment and that you take care of it with love and direction.
Give them your cell number or email address and ask them to contact you should there be any issues with barking or anything else that is of concern.
This will put them at ease and show that you are a responsible dog owner.
Conclusion
Dachshunds love affection and companionship.
Whether that means they are close to you in an apartment or house is of no consequence to them providing they feel loved and wanted.
If you are often away from your home, then this will cause more of a problem in an apartment then it would a house.
I would advise against having any dog in an apartment if it will be left alone for long periods of time.
With regular exercise, interaction, potty training and play time, your dachshund will adjust very well to apartment life.
