Owning a dog in an apartment isn’t as hard as
it may seem. While some pups are high energy and better suited for a house with
a yard, many breeds do just fine in smaller spaces. When it comes down to it,
dogs are most interested in you, not
square footage.
Even so, dogs need exercise and stimulation,
no matter where they live. If your home lacks outdoor space, knowing how to
turn your living room into your pooch’s playground can mean the difference
between a well-behaved dog and one eating the couch cushions every time you
turn your back.
To offer your pooch enrichment in limited
space, consider the following activities:
Tug of War
Tug of war is a great way to give your arms a
workout (while testing the strength of your dog’s teeth!). The biggest
advantage of this game is that it doesn’t require much space at all; depending
on the size of your pooch, a few feet should be plenty. Grab whatever you can —
a pair of panty hose, an old towel, or a sock that’s lost its mate — and
challenge your dog to a round. You can also buy dog toys specifically made for
the pull of a pup.
Fetch
Old Faithful meets Old Yeller, fetch is to
dogs what tag is to children - a tried-and-true good time that’s sure to
entertain your four-legged friend. While fetch doesn’t require much room, the
further you throw, the more exercise your dog will get. A hallway makes an
excellent option; it’s generally lengthy, void of furniture, and, importantly,
window-free.
Obstacle Course
An indoor obstacle course can be as
sophisticated or as simple as you want. Chances are, there are tons of items
around your home that your dog can crawl under, jump over, and maneuver its way
around (from pillows to boxes, coffee tables to chairs). Start simple and make
the course more challenging each round. Who knows? Your toy poodle might have a
ninja warrior inside of him or her after all.
Training Sessions
It turns out, you can teach an old dog new tricks. In fact,
you can teach dogs of any age. Dogs,
like people, never stop learning; they’re curious, eager, and determined to
please you. If yours doesn’t know many commands, you can start with the basics
of sit, shake, and lay. If they’re already accomplished obeyers, move on to
speak, roll over, or play dead. There’s no limit to the tricks you can teach
your pup, perhaps outside of teaching them to do your laundry.
Hide-and-Go-Seek
Traditional hide-and-go-seek might not work
unless you have a super ambitious dog. If your pooch is unmotivated, you could
find yourself hiding for hours underneath your bed until they come and find
you…and only because it’s dinner time. Hide-and-go-treat, where you hide snacks
rather than yourself, might be a bit more effective. Hide a handful of kibble
or a couple of milk bones around your apartment and encourage your dog to
venture on a treasure hunt.
With these activities, stimulating Sophie and
revving up Rover is simple and fun. Any activity goes a long way; after all,
one of the greatest things about dogs is that they’re extremely easy to please!
Fox Ridge Apartments in Longmont offers a
quiet residential location, mountain views, and modern amenities. We’re the
perfect place to call home. Contact us to learn more.