Transition from house --> Condo

[Ankita]

Hi all, 

My 1.5 yr old doodle is 75 lbs, and I currently live in a two-storey house. He is used to two walks a day +play time in our yard. In a couple months I'm going to be moving to a condo, <600 sq ft, and I am bringing him along. Does anyone have experience with this transition? I will have lots more time to give him a lot of exercise, but I am still worried that he will not be too pleased with the big downsize. Any thoughts? 

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

While its not quite as extreme as your move, we recently moved from a 1400 sq foot condo to a 600 sq foot apartment. Lola couldn't care less. In fact she seems happier here, possibly because I am happier - but also because it's a very dog friendly community and the other dogs tend to be pretty well socialized. In my experience, most dogs are indifferent between a mansion with a backyard and a small kennel. What matters is how much socialization, stimulation, exercise, opportunities to explore, etc. that they get. As long as they get all of those things, the size of their den is inconsequential. On the other hand, a dog that is left alone in the biggest nicest backyard will often develop issues. I personally prefer this style of living because you don't have to go anywhere to provide all those things. Every time you leave the den its like a new adventure.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

To clarify what I said before, I definitely think that letting them run around and play - ideally with other dogs, but if not, just fetch or whatever is important - at least once per day.  However a lot of that is for socialization and in fact sometimes make her more hyper than she was to begin with - while a long walk where she gets to follow me tends to calm her down.  Also mental stimulation.  If she is getting antsy and I can't take her out, I find that practicing a new obedience behavior for five or ten minutes almost always does the trick.  

For potty, we use pet patio pickup:

http://www.petpatiopickup.com/

[Camilla and Darwin]

I think it depends on the situation and the dog. We raised Darwin in a 600 square foot apartment (on the second level, surrounded by other apartments) and he never had an issue. We made sure to take him on walks, and to off-leash dog areas where he was able to run free and play with other dogs. Pottying wasn't an issue, we just leashed him up and walked him down to the grass. I am glad that we did it this way because he has learned to go potty in a timely fashion, on leash.

For us it turned out well because of the small space Darwin has learned to be very mellow indoors, and to reserve his high energy for outdoor play time.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Darwin did start out in an apartment, but we lived in a home for 8 months then downsized to a townhome. He did okay, but we did make sure to take him to play a lot more than regular.

I think he will be totally fine in that small of a space, provided that you really up the exercise. Doggie daycare can help with this a lot as well. For indoor play, a filled kong or mentally stimulating toys (like nina ottoson toys) can be really helpful.

[Joan Bollaert]

I take Cooper out many times per day and then take him to obedience class as well.  My neighbors are walkers and they sometimes take him with them when they go for their walks of a couple of miles.   I'm in the process of looking for a place that's fenced in where he can just run.   The obedience instructor has a farm with fenced in dog park for his students to use so I might make the long drive out there at least once per week so Cooper can just play and run hard.    

We all know that they are happiest when cuddled on the couch with us or snout to snout in bed, right?  lol :)

[Camilla and Darwin]

It's kind of rough finding off-leash areas! At least it is for me. :-) I've found that hiking trails, and dog parks during non-popular hours work well. I agree with your last sentence for sure, Darwin loves playing but he loves snuggling more. :-)

[Adina P]

I'm very sorry. I accidentally deleted Cooper's mom's response. If anyone has it via email feel free to send it to me. Reading while logged in on my phone seems to be hazardous. The delete button appears where it shouldn't :(

[Ankita]

Thanks everyone for the wonderful responses! It is definitely encouraging to hear. I will have lots of time to keep him well exercised. Hopefully I can still keep him a happy dog!

[Joan Bollaert]

I'm sure he'll always be happy because he has a home with you who loves him.  :)