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Keeping a dog in an apartment is much easier with a dog park right next door.
As much as we love our pets, it can be hard to be a dog owner living in an apartment. There isn’t as much space and you likely don’t have a private backyard where they can run and go to the bathroom.
Plus, some breeds simply aren’t suited for apartment living. That means that most apartment-dwelling dog owners need to use neighborhood or community dog parks. But this isn’t always the most convenient option. Maybe the nearest dog park isn’t within walking distance, meaning you need to drive there. Maybe your dog is still learning social skills and you still aren’t comfortable taking them to a large dog park.
The solution could be found in choosing an apartment complex that has its own dog park on the property. Exclusively available for the use of four-legged residents and their human companions, apartment dog parks have many benefits for apartment dog owners from their proximity to your home to reduced attendance. Plus, dog parks are amenities commonly found at higher-end luxury apartment buildings, meaning that there are likely tons of other desirable perks and amenities for you to enjoy.
13 reasons to look at apartments with dog parks
Every dog has its day, or at least it will once it lives in an apartment with its own dog park. Here are 13 benefits to dog owners and their canine roommates of choosing apartments with dog parks.
1. Your dog can get more frequent exercise
If you have a dog park in your apartment complex, you don’t have to drive or walk long distances to reach a nearby park. It’s easier to fit in multiple visits per day, giving your dog more opportunities to stretch their legs, run around and get some fresh air and exercise. Your dog will be happier and healthier for it.
2. Get in your daily steps
It’s not just your dog who can get in some exercise during dog park visits. It also gives you a chance to get in more daily steps while walking to, from and around the dog park. If your dog likes to run around, you can even get in some light jogs and cardio during dog park playtime. Having an on-site dog park gives you a chance to fit some easy exercise and stretching into your day as well.
3. It’s easier and more convenient
In general, having a dog park close at hand is more convenient for everyone. If you work from home, it’s easier to fit dog park visits into your schedule when it only takes a few minutes to get there. Instead of needing to plan outings around your work schedule, you can quickly run your dog down to the park to use the bathroom and exercise before a meeting starts. If it’s late at night and your dog needs to go out before bed, you don’t need to get dressed again and walk around the neighborhood. Early mornings are also better when the dog park is a few minutes away.
It’s also easier for pet sitters. If you don’t work from home and someone needs to let your dog out during the day, they don’t even need to take the dog off-site.
4. Meet and connect with other dog owners in your apartment complex
Apartment dog parks are also great places to socialize and meet your other neighbors who are dog owners. If you’re new to the complex and want to introduce yourself, saying “hi” and chatting at the dog park is a casual, easy way to get to know other dog owners in the complex. You can also meet and welcome new residents to the complex.
Not only can you make new friends this way, but knowing who among your neighbors are dog lovers can come in handy. If you’re going on a trip and need someone to watch your dog, you can simply ask trusted neighbors instead of needing to find someone new. If you’re away for work during the day, you can also ask work-from-home neighbors if they’re willing to help out with getting your dog their daily bathroom runs.
5. Your dog can make friends as well
It’s not just you who can make new friends and acquaintances while hanging out at your apartment dog park. Your dog can also make friends and become playmates with other resident pooches.
Larger neighborhood and community dog parks usually attract a bigger crowd, but a small apartment dog park that only caters to a particular complex will have a smaller pool of dog visitors. That way, your dog is more likely to bond with other dogs that they see more frequently and become friends.
6. Extra safety and security
Apartment dog parks are also generally safer for both dogs and their owners. At larger neighborhood dog parks where everyone is welcome, there may be run-ins with aggressive or untrained dogs. At a smaller apartment dog park, you’re more likely to know all the dogs there and whether or not they’re well-behaved or can become aggressive.
Having a dog park just steps from your apartment is also safer for humans too. For early morning or late nights, you don’t need to walk around a dark neighborhood or an empty dog park where there’s no one else around in case something happens. If your dog park is on your apartment complex’s grounds, it’s in a secure, safe area that likely also has better lighting.
7. Keeps messes to a minimum
The whole reason to take your dogs to a dog park is so they can have a good time, but sometimes they get messy in the process. Maybe they roll around in the mud or get covered in dust. If you need to drive to your nearest dog park, that return trip will get dirt, mud and other messes around your vehicle.
While your dog can still get dirty at an apartment dog park, at least your nice, clean car doesn’t have to pay the price. Plus, your apartment is right there for a fast clean-up.
8. Let your dog run free
Apartment dog parks may be one of the few places where you can let your dog off-leash for some untethered fun and exercise. Not all dog parks allow this because of the risk of violent or aggressive encounters. But in quiet apartment dog parks, you can usually give your dog free rein to run around and have fun.
Plus, you can quickly leash them back up if someone else comes to use the dog park that isn’t comfortable with off-leash dogs. Since you’re more likely to know all the other residents who use the dog park, that also means you can preemptively avoid encounters with aggressive or reactive dogs.
9. The apartment may have other pet amenities like dog washes
If your apartment complex has pet-friendly amenities like a dog park, they definitely cater to and understand the needs of pet owners. That means there’s a good chance they have other pet-friendly amenities like dog washing stations or dog spas like these dog-friendly apartments in Los Angeles.
No more getting your bathroom all dirty giving your dog a bath or hauling them to the pet groomers. You can take care of it yourself at your apartment’s on-site dog-washing spa.
10. Some dog parks may come with agility equipment
Offering chances for more enrichment play or learning new tricks, some apartment dog parks also come with agility equipment. These can help your dog keep their health and agility up, train for competitions or just have a good time.
11. Your dog will be less restless
Taking your dog out more frequently during the day means they’ll be less restless back at the apartment. Instead of hassling you to play or give them attention, they’ll relax or take a nap.
If you work from home or have lots of chores, it’s easier to work through your to-do list without a dog in the way. You’ll be more productive or can simply unwind and relax as well.
12. Better behavior both in and out of the apartment
Not only will having closer access to a dog park make your dog less restless, but they’ll be less disruptive. Dogs who are stuck indoors all day can bark, be noisy or make messes around the apartment.
This isn’t just disruptive to you, but can also impact your neighbors. A barking dog can lead to noise complaints and issues with your neighbors and building management. Making sure your dog gets plenty of fresh air and exercise at a dog park that’s close and accessible can help avoid these issues.
13. Living in a pet-friendly community
Living in an apartment complex that has its own dog park means that the overall community is pet-friendly, and there are many benefits of living in a pet-friendly apartment building. Firstly, it can be hard to find pet-friendly apartments sometimes. Even if you do live in an apartment that allows dogs, your neighbors might not, which can create conflict.
In an apartment complex that caters to pet owners with amenities like dog parks, odds are that many of the residents love and have their own furry best friends. You’re living in a community of understanding, like-minded people who share a common interest and passion, which makes for a more comfortable, happy living situation.
Find the perfect apartment for you and your furry best friend
From its convenience to helping you and your pooch make new friends, living in an apartment with a dog park offers numerous benefits for both you and your dog.
To find apartments with dog parks in a dog-friendly city, use the Pet Policy tools on Rent.com to look for apartment complexes that allow dogs. This will filter results to only dog-friendly apartments, which you can then browse to find complexes that come with pet amenities like dog parks.
Source: rent.com