GSDs, Apartments & Behavior

[nitemares]

I live in one of those high rise apartments in a big city, and my working line is adjusting fine, other than walks and training twice a week he has a great off switch at home and is somewhat a couch potato... until he goes to training

[martemchik]

Like the others have said, its doable. I have a one bedroom now with a GSD and its fine. He gets more exercise than most dogs with yards and big houses. No matter how big your house you really don't want a GSD running through it. Mine gets the zoomies once in a while and will sprint from one side of the apartment to the other...its really funny.

The most annoying thing is that once in a while you really don't want to go outside with them when its time to use the bathroom. But you do it anyways. Just make sure not to put on your pajamas on too early and then remember you have to walk the dog at 11.

[Lilie]

Living in an apartment (building or other wise) will make it more difficult raising any type of dog. The GSD is no exception to that rule. It all depends on how much effort the handler wants to put into raising and training their dog.

The biggest difference is the ease of exercise. I live in the country. I can walk out my back gate and allow my dogs to run through my pastures. Not much effort in that.

The size of your home shouldn't make any difference in your ability to raise a stable dog.

[martinaa]

People often comment that I must have a large yard when they meet one of my dogs for the first time (or especially when they meet both). Every time I hear that comment I chalk that person up as another person who shouldn't have dogs.

[RowdyDogs]

I'm going to make a general comment about high-energy dogs in apartments, and then a specific one about your situation, OP. Just so we're clear and you don't think I'm talking about you the whole time.

In general, if someone asked me randomly about a GSD (or other high-energy breed) in an apartment, I would tell them it is a bad idea. Most average owners do not have the time or commitment to give the dog enough exercise and an outlet for their drive in that sort of situation, IME. It isn't abuse, but they're going to have behavior problems and a less-than-happy dog because it is full of energy and bored most of the time.

I also would give them a special caution about GSDs because IME, it can be very difficult to find another rental that allows them. I had a heck of a time looking with my dog--no one blinked at the heelers, but many had blanket policies against GSDs. But, it isn't impossible--just something to consider.

OP, in your situation I think your relative is dead wrong! You clearly have the plan and intention to meet his physical and mental needs, so who cares if you're in an apartment vs. a yard? My GSD just wants to hang out with me all the time anyway, so having a yard barely matters except to fuel my own laziness--it is nice not having to walk him every time he needs to relieve himself! It's not like he's out there exercising himself though. And if you barred everyone who had to work 8 hours a day from dog ownership, there wouldn't be many dog owners.

I kept 2 working-bred blue heelers in a studio apartment for about 5 years while working full time and going to college, and they did fine! I had no social life that didn't revolve around dogs because of their exercise requirements, but no one who met them would even think about claiming that their needs weren't being met. It just takes work. But really, as I said above, even if you have a huge yard, owning a high-energy or high-drive dog requires work, because they're usually not going to be wearing themselves down alone!

edit: and the bully thing is just silly. Any working breed is going to take advantage of a fearful or ignorant owner.

[Gharrissc]

I personally think any breed can be ok in an apartment,as long as they are given the appropriate outlets. The problem comes when people take their dog out for a potty break and bring them right back in with no other exercise.

[KZoppa]

Originally Posted by MissLilyBean

KZ... So you definitely should prepare to NOT be a pushover if you're thinking about getting a GSD? That's a good little tip.

On a side note, I know she believes that large dogs don't belong in the house at all. Keep them outside away from much interaction and socialization is obviously gonna cause problems. That's why I told her that the "bully" behavior would be more of an owner problem than a dog problem. You know what I mean?


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Pretty much. If they think you're slacking in being the boss lady, they'll usually try to take advantage of that opportunity. Think of them like kids. If they see an opening, dont put it past them to try it lol. Boundaries, rules and training work wonders though.

[Verivus]

It's more a question of whether or not you are committed to make it work. For the average joe I would never recommend any highly active breed for apartment life. If I know you personally and feel you are a responsible individual then I wouldn't have a problem with it. The sad truth is most folks today don't exercise their dogs enough and think that having a yard is sufficient.

I did live in an apartment with my GSD for his first 1.5 years and we did fine, but only because I put in the effort to take my dogs out everyday - rain or shine- and did something. In the summer that can be quite a trial around here with temps hitting 100F+ everyday, but I made it work.

[Del's Mom]

I have my GSD in a two bedroom apartment. The only time space becomes an issue is when it is raining or too cold to go outside. Other than that, I do some kind of training with him every day in addition to what outside time we can get (usually a mile twice a day). If you keep their ultra sharp mind occupied, it shouldn't be a problem! Training, training, training......

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by Del's Mom

If you keep their ultra sharp mind occupied, it shouldn't be a problem! Training, training, training......

I live in an apartment and I haven't done much with my three dogs(1 is a GSD)in the last 6 weeks because of a knee injury. Since I can't do as much physical exercise, I have stepped up on the mental exercise. This is working fine, the only thing that she(the GSD) does is move around the pillows on the couch...everyday she moves them I had to skip the agility this time around and I had to pull my oldest out of obedience because I can't walk to well or stand for a long time. Hopefully we will be out and about again soon.