Athena update and apartment living

AthenaClimbs · 11-03-2011, 10:35 AM

Hi all,
My girl is almost 5 months now (we got her when she was 9 weeks). I originally came on this board because we live in an apartment and was concerned about her future exercise regime. We have no backyard and I have no car to take her anywhere except on the weekends.

We currently found a neighbor (with a white GSD puppy; 10 months) and she has a car and offered to drive us to the park with her every AM (god bless her). Now Athena gets a 45 minutes walk in the morning, an hour of play in the park in the AM, my mom is home so she takes her out to potty and has brief training sessions with her. In the evening my dad walks her for another 45 minutes and then I catch a ride with another friend to the park again! Athena is doing great.

It certainly like a full time job. I wanted to say having a GSD puppy in an apartment is totally DOABLE if you put in the time. And this requires a lot of time, responsibility, dedication and of course love.

We're planning on going on our first hike on saturday, yay! Unfortunately, living in brooklyn we can't go on one everyday but the weekends will do. I'm super excited I got to make this work (I was initially heavily questioned on why we decided to get a GSD in an apt in an urban area).

I have no questions really for now, but in case anyone wants a GSD but is afraid they don't have a backyard, you can DO IT if you have the time to put into it. A puppy only going on two walks a day, I learned, is a hyper and unhappy puppy

Cheers!

LaRen616 · 11-03-2011, 10:43 AM

Ya! I'm happy for you!

Keep up the good work!

Dooney's Mom · 11-03-2011, 10:45 AM

Oh yes it is definitely a job in itself! I am glad you are getting a handle on everything and her

AthenaClimbs · 11-03-2011, 11:42 AM

Thanks, the only big issue I have with her is her mouth is permanently glued to my boot when we first go outside or come back in. I'm sure she's playing, but, it's becoming a big issue and she only does it with me. No correction or distraction is working that if it continues we may need to consult a behaviorist.

ayoitzrimz · 11-03-2011, 02:23 PM

I'm happy it's working out for you. I live in Brooklyn NY also so I know it's tough. Where in Brooklyn are you? There are plenty of nice spots that aren't that busy in the Bay Ridge area and we have explored them all

so PM me if you'd like...

We were worried about exercise as well but we worked out a schedule that works for everyone utilizing NYC's off-leash hours at designated areas before 9AM and more active training (Schutzhund) in the evenings to wear him out mentally and physically eventhough he must be leashed.

Which dog park do you guys visit? Beware of the one on 86th street

I'm not a big fan of dog parks to begin with but when it comes to parks to avoid that one would be at the top of my list...

iBaman · 11-04-2011, 02:07 PM

I've been doing the same thing with my almost 5 month old WGSD. We're on the 3rd floor, so stairs are a lot of his energy (he hates stairs. with a passion.), then he gets about 5 or 6 20 minute walks a day, and a long walk/run in the morning. it's VERY doable. I won't lie though, I can't WAIT to be in my new apartment next week...we have a back yard and a GIANT hill for climbing right behind us!! Keep up the good work with your pup...they're totally worth it <3

jennyp · 11-04-2011, 06:24 PM

That's AWESOME!!! What a great situation for you! I miss Brooklyn. The last time I was there was last December. I attended the Coney Island Sideshow School and learned how to eat fire!

Sulamk · 11-04-2011, 10:48 PM

Good work! perhaps with the boot issue keep some special toy just for when you first go out and put in her mouth as you go out also try different boots or shoes to break the habit! It is just excitement at going out!

fuzzybunny · 11-05-2011, 09:07 AM

Good for you! I can relate since I have two in an apartment and we make it work.

ShenzisMom · 11-05-2011, 09:21 AM

Yup, Apartment living and dogs is very doable. The time and commitment is huge, but the rewards are greater

Congrats on making it work!

11-03-2011, 10:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
AthenaClimbs Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 137	Athena update and apartment living Hi all, My girl is almost 5 months now (we got her when she was 9 weeks). I originally came on this board because we live in an apartment and was concerned about her future exercise regime. We have no backyard and I have no car to take her anywhere except on the weekends. We currently found a neighbor (with a white GSD puppy; 10 months) and she has a car and offered to drive us to the park with her every AM (god bless her). Now Athena gets a 45 minutes walk in the morning, an hour of play in the park in the AM, my mom is home so she takes her out to potty and has brief training sessions with her. In the evening my dad walks her for another 45 minutes and then I catch a ride with another friend to the park again! Athena is doing great. It certainly like a full time job. I wanted to say having a GSD puppy in an apartment is totally DOABLE if you put in the time. And this requires a lot of time, responsibility, dedication and of course love. We're planning on going on our first hike on saturday, yay! Unfortunately, living in brooklyn we can't go on one everyday but the weekends will do. I'm super excited I got to make this work (I was initially heavily questioned on why we decided to get a GSD in an apt in an urban area). I have no questions really for now, but in case anyone wants a GSD but is afraid they don't have a backyard, you can DO IT if you have the time to put into it. A puppy only going on two walks a day, I learned, is a hyper and unhappy puppy Cheers!

11-03-2011, 10:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
LaRen616 Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 10,582	Ya! I'm happy for you! Keep up the good work! __________________ ~ Sinister 3 yr old black male GSD 3.11.09 ~ Malice 9 mth old black female GSD 6.19.11 Cats: Chaos, Monster, Wicked

11-03-2011, 10:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
Dooney's Mom Master Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Deland, Fl Posts: 646	Oh yes it is definitely a job in itself! I am glad you are getting a handle on everything and her __________________ Wendy Beaulieu's Dooney Von Pell- GSD 01/25/2011 RIP- Skye- WGSD 1991-2007 2 psycho cats- Diva & Jake

11-03-2011, 11:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
AthenaClimbs Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 137	Thanks, the only big issue I have with her is her mouth is permanently glued to my boot when we first go outside or come back in. I'm sure she's playing, but, it's becoming a big issue and she only does it with me. No correction or distraction is working that if it continues we may need to consult a behaviorist. __________________ Athena 6.09.2011

11-05-2011, 09:07 AM	#9 (permalink)
fuzzybunny Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,824	Good for you! I can relate since I have two in an apartment and we make it work. __________________ Carolyn Jazz, Shiloh Shepherd, 2.5 years old, CGC HIC Bunny, GSD X, 5.5 years old

11-03-2011, 02:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
ayoitzrimz Master Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New York, NY Posts: 503	I'm happy it's working out for you. I live in Brooklyn NY also so I know it's tough. Where in Brooklyn are you? There are plenty of nice spots that aren't that busy in the Bay Ridge area and we have explored them all so PM me if you'd like... We were worried about exercise as well but we worked out a schedule that works for everyone utilizing NYC's off-leash hours at designated areas before 9AM and more active training (Schutzhund) in the evenings to wear him out mentally and physically eventhough he must be leashed. Which dog park do you guys visit? Beware of the one on 86th street I'm not a big fan of dog parks to begin with but when it comes to parks to avoid that one would be at the top of my list...

11-04-2011, 02:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
iBaman Master Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cedar City, UT Posts: 809	I've been doing the same thing with my almost 5 month old WGSD. We're on the 3rd floor, so stairs are a lot of his energy (he hates stairs. with a passion.), then he gets about 5 or 6 20 minute walks a day, and a long walk/run in the morning. it's VERY doable. I won't lie though, I can't WAIT to be in my new apartment next week...we have a back yard and a GIANT hill for climbing right behind us!! Keep up the good work with your pup...they're totally worth it <3

11-04-2011, 06:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
jennyp Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 191	That's AWESOME!!! What a great situation for you! I miss Brooklyn. The last time I was there was last December. I attended the Coney Island Sideshow School and learned how to eat fire!

11-04-2011, 10:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
Sulamk Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Mpumalanga South Africa Posts: 127	Good work! perhaps with the boot issue keep some special toy just for when you first go out and put in her mouth as you go out also try different boots or shoes to break the habit! It is just excitement at going out!

11-05-2011, 09:21 AM	#10 (permalink)
ShenzisMom Master Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Brampton, ON Posts: 839	Yup, Apartment living and dogs is very doable. The time and commitment is huge, but the rewards are greater Congrats on making it work! __________________ -Cassie Handler For: Shenzi: Female GSD Zira:Female Dobermann

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