dogs and apartments

[KelAndRoxy]

u guys are awesome!

Wow! Thanks, guys! It's good to know that everyone, more or less, feels the same way I do. It's also nice to know that there are lots of other people out there with boxers that live in apartments. I should know better than to let ignorant/rude people get to me but it really irks me. I decided not to reply to that guy at work because, judging from his other posts, he's one of those ignorant people that just prefers to stay ignorant and never listens to anyone else's side. Those kind of people don't deserve my time and (now that I've thought about it) they certainly should not make me feel bad about the way that I live with my dog! :mad: Just as a follow-on question for those of you who are familiar with living with a boxer in an apartment: How much exercise would you say your dog gets in an average week? For example, what do you consider a long walk/short walk? Roxy and I usually walk once around the apartment complex (which I judge to be about a quarter mile) and then run it once just about every night (except when mommy is feeling REALLY lazy!) and of course several short walks to go potty plus there's all the extra stuff we do on weekends like playdates, daycare, park, etc. Just curious what everyone else does.

Thanks again for the great responses so far! :D

 

[shannonmac]

my boyfriend and i are in an apartment with kneesaa. i had lived in a house with her before, and this is her first time in an apt. to tell you the truth...she has no idea there is a difference... b/c even when i was in a house it wasn't fenced so she still went out on a leash... i think as long as you bring them for walks and to run around and get all the boxer energy out of them (like that will ever happen...hehe) you'll be just fine! we don't crate her anymore either while at work...she is confined to the bedroom, which on good days is totally boxer proofed...and on bad days im missing a few shoes :rolleyes: but she is a happy, healthy, energetic puppy who thinks sliding across the tile floors in the new apt. is a great form of entertainment for everyone in the room

 

[scribe1128]

How much exercise?

Well, when we were in the apartment, we got as much as you seem to be giving your dogs. We got walks in the morning, evenings and in between during the day when my son was home from school. They would be around the long city block, then runs on the community center lawn. Then there was a quick potty break before bedtime. On weekend, longer walks and visits to the park. I don't think there is any firm rule on how much exercise as long as they get it!:o
Chery, Titus and Lady

 

[Boomer'sPapa]

Before I moved into our current residence, Boomer and I were staying with friends. While it wasn't an apartment, and they had a huge backyard, the upstairs was off limits to both Boomer and Zip (their dog). Boomer did spend time in his crate while no one was home. We got into a routine of going on a walk in the morning, another when I got home from work, and yet another before going to bed in the evening. He certainly lost weight (almost eight pounds in the five months we were waiting for the house to be finished), but that wasn't due to lack of physical activity.....he had Zip to contend with (who was six months old when Boomer was first introduced). While Zip had more of the herding mentality (would nip at Boomer's ankles & feet), Boomer was "king of the deck," and certainly gave Zip a run for his money.

Now that most of the backyard is full of grass (rocks too), Boomer likes the backyard much more. During those wonderful rains, Boomer is still used to going to potty on his leash in the side yard. Now I just wish he didn't dislike the rain, or the feel of wet grass on his paws. :D

I am thankful that he's matured enough (okay, so maybe mature isn't the right word for it) that he doesn't need to spend time in his crate. It does sit in a corner of the garage just in case there is a time in the future that he might need it though.

Even with my sometimes long hours at the hospital, I don't mind it as much, as I do know he sleeps most of the time that I'm gone.

We're still doing an average of three walks a day, sometimes more on the weekends.....and he does a good boxer burn coming in from going potty out back too.....never figured that my kitchen and den would be a good track.

Cheers,
Scott & Boomer

 

[KelAndRoxy]

Hey Scott-you live near me!
Anyway, how old was Boomer before you trusted him out of the crate? Roxy's only 7 1/2 months old and I feel we have a loooonnng way to go before she'll be totally trustworthy out of the crate when I'm not home. I don't even trust her when I am home unless she's in the same room as me. I'm constantly checking what she's getting into! I envy you your backyard. I wish I could afford to move somewhere where Roxy had room to run. I'm hoping she gets good enough off leash that I can start taking her out to the lake in back of my apartment complex to run. We go out there now but she needs to be on her retractable leash which means I walk and she runs in circles around me! Thanks for the reply!

 

[Boomer'sPapa]

What a nice surprise....There have been a few San Antonians active on the board, but most have since PCS'd.

I adopted Boomer at 1 1/2 (Aug 01), and it wasn't until June of this year that he proved that he should be able to roam free in the house while I was gone. Like you, I was hoping that one day I'd be able to put the crate up. I still keep it around though.

I think the same could be said for my parents' boxer, Daniela.

Cheers,
Scott