8 Tips on How to Raise a Puppy in an Apartment

Some people may think that you need a big house and backyard to raise a puppy, but that's not the case! You can easily raise a puppy in an apartment as long as you are prepared to do some extra work to train, create a routine, prep your home, and make sure your pup is getting enough exercise.

Choose the right breed

The first thing you need to do is make sure you choose the right breed of dog for your lifestyle. Some breeds, like French Bulldogs, don't require much exercise while others, like Labrador Retrievers, need a lot of it. Do your research and pick a breed, or adopt a puppy from the shelter that will be a good fit for your living situation.

Puppy-proof your apartment

Before bringing your new pup home, you need to do some prep work to ensure that your apartment is puppy-proofed. This means putting away anything that could be chewed or swallowed, using an exercise pen to block off rooms or areas that are off-limits, and keeping a close eye on your pup at all times.

Basic training

Training is also important when you're raising a puppy in an apartment. You need to be able to stop your puppy when they bark or whine excessively to prevent any noise complaints. During each training session, you need to be extra patient and consistent with your commands and rewards. 

Dogs can sense when you're stressed out or angry, so it's important to remain calm when training. Start with simple commands like sit, stay, come, and down. Once your puppy has mastered these basics, you can move on to trick training or obedience classes.

Crate training

Crate training is important because it gives your puppy their own safe space. It also helps with potty training and keeps your puppy from chewing on things they're not supposed to when you are away. Crate training does take lots of time and patience, but trust us, it's definitely worth it in the end!

You can make their crate comfortable and safe by filling it with a soft blanket and some of your puppy's favorite toys. You can also give them treats when they go into the crate to create a positive experience. With a little bit of patience, your puppy will learn to love their crate in no time.

If crate training doesn’t work for you, don’t feel ashamed, some dogs and some dog personalities just don't fit with crate training. 

Potty training

When you live in an apartment, potty training your puppy can be way more challenging than if you were able to take them outside into a backyard. But it is still possible to successfully train your puppy to use the restroom in an appropriate location inside or outside.

One thing you may need to do is create a designated potty area for your puppy using regular pee pads, or grass potty training pads. You can place them on a balcony or patio if you have one, or even just a small area of your apartment that is easy to clean in case of accidents. If, and when, you have a designated potty area, make sure to take your puppy there frequently so that they can learn that this is where they should go to the bathroom.

It can also be helpful to use a leash when taking your puppy to the potty area so that they don’t wander off and start going to the bathroom in another part of the apartment. If you catch them in the act of going to the bathroom somewhere else, make sure to mark at that moment so that they know it's not acceptable behavior.

When you are ready to train your pup to potty outdoors, remember to carry them out to prevent accidents in the hallway and elevators. Younger puppies (8 - 12 weeks old) can't hold their bladder so it's recommended to bring them out once every 30 mins to an hour to prevent having accidents in the apartment. Also, you may want to try bringing them out as soon as they wake up or get out of their crate, right after playing, and 5–10 minutes after meals. With patience and consistency, you can successfully potty train your puppy even if you live in an apartment.

Create a routine

Creating a routine for your puppy is vital for their potty training and their development. By having set times for meals, potty breaks, and walks, your puppy will learn to expect certain things at certain times of the day. This will help them develop good habits and will make your life much easier in the long run.

Exercise your puppy

There might not be enough room for your pup to run around or exercise in the apartment. You can bring your puppy outside for their exercise needs. Although young puppies don't require much exercise, you still need to find ways to keep their body and mind busy. If you have the time, it's best to have multiple 5-10 mins training and playing sessions throughout the day. Taking them out for short walks in a quiet back alley or letting them run around at a park on a leash are other great ways to burn off their energy. This will also allow them to stay happy and healthy. If the puppies get all of their shots, bringing them to dog parks is another great option too!

Organize puppy items

Puppy toys shouldn't be all over your apartment like landmines. You'll get easily tripped over or slip, and it looks untidy. Get a box or bin to store your pup's items and toys. This can keep your floor clean and free of mess while your puppy can still get their favorite toys themselves.

In conclusion

If you are prepared to put in the work, raising a happy and healthy puppy in an apartment is definitely doable! Just make sure you choose the right breed, dedicate time for training, and get them plenty of exercise!