As the mother of a 75 pound Rhodesian Ridgeback mix, I constantly hear about how big my dog is. To me, he is simply “Cooper”, a part of my family, and will move in with me no matter where I land. We then moved from a city that required a 45 minute commute to get work done (hello carbon emissions) to a fancy new apartment in an exciting suburban city, Birmingham, MI.
This meant that our large space became a small (albeit beautiful) space. With this move, Cooper’s backyard was shunned for a new lifestyle. I’ve compiled six things you need to do to keep our large dogs happy and healthy in even the smallest abodes!
- Make little walks with your dog count. Receiving the mail is an opportunity to stretch. In fact, take the long route. Think of it the same way you would at a park-store in the back and get the extra steps.
- Give your dog (or her) his own space. Even your little bed is a place to call your own. It will make you feel more like home.
- Choose an apartment complex with a patio. Life in the city doesn’t often offer a backyard or a park across the street. Even if he did, he wouldn’t be as inclined to visit him as he would if he were literally outside his door. I chose an apartment complex with an almost completely enclosed courtyard, allowing Cooper room to run around to fetch a ball. (Thankfully, Cooper braced himself to remember. Never let an off-leash dog run without this critical skill.)
- Sew an apartment on the first floor. The mornings are early. Don’t fool yourself. Keep your slippers by the door and avoid falling down the stairs before breakfast.
- Play to shoot. Tugboat sets don’t require a lot of space and can wear down your large dog without giving you frostbite (or sunburn if you’re not here up north).
- Keep chews around. Although there is some controversy regarding raw hides, be sure to keep chew toys for fidgety moments. You will avoid losing your favorite shoes and keep your dog-human relationship happier.
