Can a Doodle live in a one bedroom City apartment?

[Joann Valerio]

I live in Chicago and have fallen in love with the Labradoodle /Goldendoodle. There are a lot of them
in my neighborhood. I know most of their names, the names of their breeders and their weights.
With the exception of two or three, the majority of them are laid back and well behaved.
That said, I am torn because although I think I would like to get one, I am reluctant to do so
because my space is small and my apartment is not "dog friendly" (e.g., I have wool carpet in my bedroom and to be brutally frank, I am afraid my apartment will get "trashed"). a
Also not a lot of space
for dog crate, etc. I've never been a Mom and wonder if I'm up for all that responsibility (e.g., used
to doing whatever I want whenever I want. Am retired and have lived alone for a long time.)
Thoughts from anyone (especially those in similar situations)? Thanks!

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

I would say it's doable. Dogs only trash your house if you allow it. I have a friend who said her dog tore up the drywall. I asked her where was she when it happened - oh we weren't at home. Was the dog crated? No, we thought she would be ok. Oh and her dog pooped on the couch. Again, I asked where were they and she said not home and the dog was free range in the house obviously when it shouldn't have been.
As far as crating, you can always find space. Just have to rethink where it could go. I feel crating is the best because it gives them a sense of comfort when you're not there. Plus, it's a great tool for house training. It also prevents them from destroying the house. ;)
Another thing to consider is the amount of exercise they need, walks, training, etc. I imagine even the small doodles need lots of exercise. With your circumstance maybe a smaller doodle would work.
Having a new puppy is a lot of work. They need to go out in the middle of the night, they cry, they whine, and they need lots of supervision. But, they are sweet and smart and lovable!
I'm not sure how small the miniature Labradoodles are or the goldendoodles, but I have a miniature schnoodle (schnauzer /poodle). He is 14 lbs full grown. I feel he would be excellent dog for a small house or apt. However, when he was little (we got him at 6 months) he had lots of energy and I remember walking him on the treadmill in the winter to burn the energy off. Lol We got him from a rescue and we had a little crying the first night or so, but after that he was fine. He was also really easy to train because he was mostly trained when we got him. So maybe in your circumstance, you would do well to look for a doodle to rescue. But, having a dog will change your freedoms just a bit, but in the long run it is worth it.

[Joann Valerio]

I live right next to Lincoln Park. I could use the park for potty
during the day and at night I could walk out the front door of my
Building and use the strip of grass there. (Picking up the poop
of course.) Think a Toy might also be better since it is a smaller dog.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If you want a toy, you might consider the many purebreds that (unlike any doodle) are guaranteed to be non-shedding and guaranteed to be within a certain size range. With doodles, you never know. You would also have a much wider choice of good reputable breeders, as there are not many doodle breeders producing toys. Most purebred toys also require less exercise, since there's no sporting dogs like retrievers in their lineage. 

You might consider getting a Havanese. They are adorable, guaranteed non-shedding, available in every color you can think of, and are very affectionate lapdogs.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I love Havanese dogs. They are so cute!

[Sally M]

I'm no expert, but I've always heard Doodles need exercise. But that could be accomplished by going to a doggie park or taking a daily walk in a park...or around the block. Some Doodles are "velco" like...meaning, they get attached to their human parent and want to be close to them (which I happen to love!). A small apartment would work out good for this. And you could get a mini Doodle for your small space. You'll have to train your puppy to hold it until you can get her outside (if you're in a highrise). We're raising a puppy for the first time in over 10 years. Yes, puppies are a lot of trouble, but the rewards are much bigger. Our puppy makes us laugh everyday. I love playing with her. I'm retired and I enjoy having her in my life. But I've always had dogs so that differs from you living alone. You'll have some sleepless nights, some messes, some frustration, but, IMHO, it's SO worth it. I wouldn't miss Penny's puppyhood for anything in the world. And I'm looking forward to her adulthood. They weren't lying when they coined the phrase: Dogs are man's best friend (altho that's a bit sexist). I feel blessed that she came into our lives. Doodles are special. I know this already and we've only had Penny for just over 2 months. Good luck making your decision. (Personally, I hope you go for it).

[Wendy and Myla]

There is so much to think about!  I don't think a small apartment is bad for a doodle as long as they get exercise regularly - (especially a smaller one).  You are retired so you can spend a lot of time with a doodle, which is what they need!  As far as doing whatever you want whenever you want, I guess that depends what you do.  If you can do whatever you want and take your doodle with you, then there wouldn't be a problem.  If you do a lot of travelling and can't take your doodle, you would have to make sure that you have a reliable sitter when you go.  I am retired and a lot of my friends thought I was crazy for getting a puppy at this stage of our lives but we thought about it and as we mostly go RVing, we can take Myla with us and when we do go away where we can't take her, we do have a good place where we can bring her, but it is expensive!  The upside is that Myla makes us laugh every day and we cannot imagine our lives without her!!!! 

Why don't you try dogsitting for one of your neighbours and see how it works in your apartment - it might give you a bit of an idea (although a puppy would be a lot different for the first year - although I would never give that part up!)

Good Luck with your decision!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Okay, so I'm in the Chicago area too, and I can tell you that it's hard enough to have to go out into my fenced backyard on a snowy,rainy, or below zero night, and I can do that in my PJs and robe; if I had to get dressed and use an elevator to go outside to a city street at midnight every night and 6 a.m. every morning, I would not be a happy camper. And puppies have to go out every two hours when they;re young, and usually during the night as well. How will you feel about getting out of bed, getting dressed, and going out to the street at 3 a.m. every night for a few months, rushing all the while so that the pup doesn't go before you get to the appropriate place? How will you feel about taking the dog out for a good walk before bed every night and as soon as you get up every morning, regardless of weather, for the next 15 years? 

How will you feel when it's pouring rain for days like it was last week and you have to get out in it for an hour or two every single day so your dog can run and get rid of some of that famous doodle energy? Every day. For the next 15 years. Even if you're tired, sick, busy, whatever. 

Those laid back, well-behaved dogs you know didn't come that way. Most doodles are very high energy, and most of them require a ton of exercise and a ton of training. I recommend that you read some of the discussions in the Puppy Madness Group to get some idea of what life with a doodle puppy is like. 

I can guarantee you that there will be accidents in the house and many items chewed up. 

Do you have several extra hours per week for training grooming, and exercising a dog? 

Will you mind cutting an afternoon or evening out short because you need to get home and feed the dog and take him out? 

Getting a dog, any dog, is a 12-16 year commitment. Please don't go into it unless you can commit to caring for the dog for the rest of his life, no matter what. 

Here is a discussion that was a collaboration by many members here to provide information for anyone considering getting a doodle. Please read through it. 

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/considering-a-doodle-crowd...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I think as a retired person who was not dog experienced and lived in a city apartment, I would have either a cat (with a litter box) or  small dog that I would train to a potty pad.  A small dog could be exercised inside the apartment and carried places and accompany you when you go out.  Now that being said, either of my doodles would be great apartment dogs.  They are laid back, can be potty walked twice a day, and are not overly energetic, but how would you know that when they were puppies? You wouldn't.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Hi Joann ~ I am confused - if your apartment is not dog friendly, are you planning to move or how would that work otherwise?  I know there are apartment dwellers with pets, but personally I cannot imagine taking a little puppy out every 15. 20 or 30 minutes up and down stairs, or down the elevator until it is trained (which can take up to 4 months sometimes longer depending on the puppy.  That being said, you might do a search on this site because I think I read where a couple of members where using piddle pads for potty training because they had stairs to deal with.  I will guarantee you that your little puppy will have an accident or two or more -  it is just reality.  I am not trying to rain on your parade - but as you mentioned getting a puppy is a lot of responsibility (they are almost like a child in that they need attention in order to thrive and become the best dog they can be) - and that means going to obedience training and daily exercise.  Is it possible you could pet sit for one of your neighbors, that might give you more of an idea what it is ike to be a dog owner.  Also, you might join the Puppy Madness group on this site so you can read about what people with puppies are dealing with, etc.  For me personally, if I lived in a small apartment, I would probably opt for a cat - they are more independent and easier care. I do wish you the best in whatever decision you make.  You have certainly come to the right site to get lots of information concerning all things doodle. Just jump in and ask questions.  Welcome.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

I have friends and family with cats and while they are independent. They can have potty incidences and they tend to destroy things with their claws. Unless you declaw which in some circles is unethical due to the procedure. Just throwing that in there in case she does decide to go with a cat.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Thanks Lyndy!  Yikes, I am not a cat person, I just assumed they were easy care.  

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

I wanted a kitty, but dh is not a cat person. So, we got Jade instead. I call her my kitty cat. Lol
Yeah there are some things about cats that aren't very appealing. ;)