sldkjfalksj Category Archives: Pups in Apartments

Where Dogs Are Welcome! Dayton, Ohio Edition

Posted on by

They’re like family. We want to make it as easy for you as possible to love and care for your pups without having to spend a lot of time wondering where to take your favorite furry friend for an off-leash run,  a day of monitored play, a sleepover, or to join you someplace pup-friendly for a cold brew where dogs are welcome.

Read on for our list of Dogs Welcome Here! locations in South Dayton near your Fath Properties apartment.

DAYTON

South: Centerville, Miamisburg

  • PLAY
    • Washington Place Apartments Dog Park. 8801 Motter Lane, Miamisburg. A residents-only, fenced-in park featuring dog agility equipment and a poop station. Open dawn to dusk, furry friends large and small play together. BYOW (bring your own water). More info here.
    • Montgomery County Bark Park. 6790 Webster St, Montgomery County Bark Park is comprised of six acres of land which are neatly divided into two fenced sections named Sonny’s Acres and Bark Park Hill. There’s agility equipment, a water supply, a poop station, plenty of shade trees, plus benches for humans. A dog license and current vaccinations are required. More info here.
    • Deeds Point Dog Park. 2600 Ridge Ave, Dayton. Located in Triangle Park, the dog park section is enormous with plenty of running space on both the small and large dog sides. Lots of trees and shelters make it ideal on a sunny day. There’s plenty of water for dogs and humans, trash cans, bags for cleanup, ample parking, a paved walkway, and a gravel one. Lots of picnic tables, benches, and even some Adirondack chairs. The dog park is located right across the Mad River from downtown Dayton, OH, in the McCook Field Neighborhood. More info here.
    • Creager Field Dog Park. 210 Shafor Blvd, Oakwood. Tucked away in a residential neighborhood, this park features fenced large and small dog areas each with a water supply, agility equipment, poop stations, shade trees, and picnic tables and benches for pet parents. There’s plenty of parking adjacent to the park. Open year-round from dawn to dusk. More info here.
    • Canal Run Dog Park. 550 S. Main St, Miamisburg. $20 Annual Membership Required. Located in Community Park, the three fenced and secured areas are organized by dog size to ensure your pup has appropriate playmates. The park includes a water fountain for dogs and their humans, and benches. and poop stations. The entrance to the park is secured by a locking gate, followed by a fenced-in unleashing area. Dog-centered pop-up events are free for members. More info here.
    • Dog Park at Oak Grove Park. 1790 E. Social Row Rd, Centerville. Separate one-acre areas for large and small pups with water provided. A shade structure, shade trees, benches, and picnic tables are planned additions. More info here.

  • CARE
    • Pet Supplies Plus. 987 S. Main St. Centerville. Pet supplies, pet care clinic.
    • PetSmart. 2028 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Dayton, and 4333 Feedwire Rd, Sugarcreek Twsp. Pet supplies, grooming, training, adoptions, vet care, boarding, and doggie day camp.
    • PetPeople. 6221 Far Hills Ave, Dayton. Pet supplies, dog wash, grooming.
    • Petco. 300 E. Stroop, Dayton. Pet supplies, grooming, vaccinations.
    • Pet Wants Dayton. 8172 Washington Church Rd. Pet supplies.
    • Thia Pets Grooming. 871 E Franklin St, Centerville. 4.8 star rating. In business for 3+ years.
    • Wash Your Dog. 1999 E Alex Bell Rd, Ste 402, Centerville. 4.3 star rating, 20+ years in business. Professional grooming plus self-serve wash stations.
    • Animal Castle. 877 S Main St, Centerville 4.5 star rating. 10+ years in business.
    • House of Paws. 94A Westpark Rd, Centerville. 4.6 star rating. 3+ years in business. Grooming and boarding.
    • Urban Dog Day Spa. 40 N Main St #101, Miamisburg. 4.7 star rating, 5+ years in business. Walk-in services are available.
    • Jenny’s Pooch Parlor. 420 S 3rd St, Miamisburg. 4.9 star rating; 7+ years in business.
    • Pawsome Pet Supplies & Grooming. 27 Alexandersville Rd, Miamisburg. Pet supplies, grooming, and walk-in services are available.
  • SLEEPOVERS & DOGGIE DAYCARE
  • GOING OUT

    • Graeter’s Ice Cream. 2 N Main St, Centerville. Graeter’s Ice Cream, located in Centerville, is a small-batch ice cream shop that serves up French pot-style ice cream created using fresh, delicious ingredients. Fido is welcome to join you at one of their pet-friendly outdoor benches while you indulge your sweet tooth. Choose from an array of flavors including Vienna Coffee, Dutch Milk Chocolate, Butter Pecan, Salted Caramel, Bourbon Pecan Chocolate Chip, Toffee Chocolate Chip, Peach, Pumpkin, Cinnamon, and more! Try the Cheese Crown – cheesecake-flavored ice cream with cinnamon sugar pastry pieces and fondant icing flakes! Please note that table service isn’t available, so your dog will need to be tied up outside when you go in to order.
    • Lock 27 Brewing. 1035 S Main St, Centerville. Lock 27 Brewing is a local gastropub in Centerville, OH serving up house-brewed beer and comfort food on a dog-friendly patio.
    • City Barbeque. 5 E Franklin St, Centerville. City Barbeque is a dog-friendly restaurant serving authentic and inspired craft barbeque to Washington locals and tourists alike. Visitors to City Barbeque can bring Fido and head to one of its ten outdoor tables. Please note that table service isn’t available, so your dog will need to be tied up outside when you go in to order.
    • Five Guys. 1057 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Centerville. Choose from menu options including burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, fries, milkshakes, and more. Fido is welcome to join you at one of their pet-friendly outdoor tables while you enjoy your meal. Please note that table service isn’t available, so your dog will need to be tied up outside while you go in to order.
    • Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. 5501 Wilmington Pike, Centerville. This dog-friendly eatery welcomes pups to join their owners on the outdoor patio. After your delicious lunch or dinner, try their freshly churned creamy desserts!
    • Wheat Penny Oven & Bar. 515 Wayne Avenue, Dayton. Wheat Penny is a locally owned restaurant with an eclectic flair and eleven dog-friendly tables. The menu reflects the chefs’ love for Italian food with plenty of inspiration from local cuisine, too.
    • Dublin Pub. 300 Wayne Ave, Dayton. Dublin Pub is an authentically Irish pub serving up appetizers, burgers, salads and sandwiches, Irish specialties, and plenty of beer on tap. Fido is welcome to join at the pub’s dog-friendly outdoor tables while you fill up on Whiskey Pork Chops with a pint of Guinness Stout.
    • Bennett’s Publical. 67 S Main St, Miamisburg. Dogs are welcome at several outdoor tables with over 100 seats at this sports bar in Miamisburg serving comfort food and pub fare alongside drinks from the full bar.
    • The Trolley Stop. 530 E 5th St, Dayton. The Trolley Stop, located in Dayton, OH, is a dog-friendly tavern where Fido can join you at an outdoor table.
    • Another Broken Egg Cafe. 3450 Rigby Rd, Miamisburg. A dog-friendly, Southern-inspired restaurant, serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch to Miamisburg locals and tourists alike. Those wandering along Rigby Road with a craving for biscuit beignets can head to one of the Cafe’s six outdoor tables to enjoy alongside their canine companion.
    • Smashburger. 1200 Brown St, Dayton. Eight pet-friendly outdoor tables, so you can bring your dog along. Please note that table service isn’t available, so your dog will need to be tied up outside while you go in to order.
    • South Park Tavern. 1301 Wayne Ave, Dayton. South Park Tavern is a dog-friendly spot to enjoy pizza and beer in Dayton. Visitors to the Tavern with Fido in tow can head to one of its seven outdoor tables to dig in alongside their furry friend. South Park advises that guests with dogs call ahead before planning their outing.
    • For more Dayton pup-friendly restaurants and breweries, see Dayton937’s recommendations here.

Disclaimer: This list was assembled by the Fath Properties marketing team who have been Googling like crazy on your behalf. We have no personal experience with the vast majority of these businesses (although we are most definitely dog lovers and have personal experience with businesses in our various home locations), so do not necessarily endorse them due to our global inexperience. This writer would not mind a fact-finding expedition to experience them all with pup-in-tow, but that would be a story for another day). This list is provided here for you simply to narrow down your search for services and Dogs Welcome Here! locations near your Fath apartment in South Dayton.

Have fun taking your furry friends everywhere Dogs Are Welcome Here! locations in the Dayton area near your Fath Properties apartment home. Maybe we’ll see you there.

For Dogs Are Welcome Here locations in the Greater Cincinnati area, click here; for locations in Dallas, click here.

And tell your dog we said, “Hi!”

 

 

Where Dogs Are Welcome! Cincinnati/NKY Edition

Posted on by

They’re like family. We want to make it as easy for you as possible to love and care for your pups without having to spend a lotof time wondering where to take your favorite furry friend for an off-leash run,  a day of monitored play, a sleepover, or to join you someplace pup-friendly for a cold brew. Read on for our list of Where Dogs Are Welcome! locations throughout Cincinnati (by region) and Northern Kentucky. Check out additional locations in the Tour De Cincinnati Dog-Friendly section!

CINCINNATI

West: Price Hill, College Hill, Mt. Healthy, Fairfield, Mt. Airy, Cleves, Hamilton, Colerain

  • Play
    • Airy Forest Dog Park. 3006 Westwood Northern Blvd. The park boasts a large area for dogs to romp around in, as well as doggy pools and agility equipment. There are miles of trails in the beautiful Mt. Airy Forest just behind the park if Fido is seeking a change of pace. Fully Fenced, Free to public, small and large dog sides. Some agility equipment. Lots of shades and some doggy pools. Lots of picnic tables. More info here.
    • Westwoof Dog Park. Montana & Epworth Aves. Artificial turf and concrete areas make this small, fenced park a great place to visit when it’s wet outside.
    • Simmons Family Dog Park. 8715 Hamilton Cleves Pike Rd., Miamitown. A huge, 11-acre park with four separate fields, dog agility equipment, shade trees, and benches. More info here.
    • Doris Day Dog Park. 3006 Westwood Northern Blvd., Mt. Airy. Located in Mount Airy Forest, this fenced-in two-acre dog park has both grassy areas and dirt/woodchip areas for pup play. There’s agility equipment and a water hose for drinks.
    • Hamilton Bark Park. 20 New London Rd., Hamilton. Playspace, room for fetch, and Frisbee. Big and small dogs are welcome. Sculpture. More info here.
    • Diamond Dogs Dog Park. 11405 E. Miami River Rd., Cincinnati. Fido can play off-leash at Diamond Dogs Dog Park, located within the 126-acre, pet-friendly Heritage Park along the Great Miami River in Cincinnati, OH. The fenced dog park offers an entrance for large and small dogs, shade, trees, waste bags, shaded seating, and a seasonally-available water source. More info here.
  • Care
    • Petey’s Pet Stop. 311 Howell Ave. Boarding, Dog Food/Treats, Pet Supplies, Self Service Dog Washing. Linda Sterling and Beth McCarty, both occupational therapists and animal lovers, founded Petey’s Pet Stop.
    • PetSmart. 6068 Glenway Ave. Chain featuring a range of pets, supplies & food (most offer grooming, boarding & other services).
  • Going Out

East: East End, Newtown, Anderson, Batavia

  • Play
    • Deer Hill Apartments. 2551 Spindlehill Dr. A residents-only facility, this fenced-in park features dog activity stations, shade trees, and a poop station. More info here.
    • Otto Armleder Dog Park. 5057 Wooster Pike, Linwood. One of the most popular places in Cincinnati to let your dog roam around off-lease and socialize with other dogs. The park spans 10 acres and offers separate areas for large and small breeds, dog drinking fountains, a canine shower, along with plenty of shade trees and benches.
    • Red Dog Park. 5081 Madison Rd., Cincinnati. A “members-only” park run by Red Dog Resort and Spa. Three acres of fenced grassy and wooded rolling grounds. Separate areas for small and large breeds with play equipment scattered throughout the park. Drinking fountains for pups and humans. Click here for more info and pricing.
    • 3810 Church St., Newtown. A private three-acre park with grassy fields, a lake, and a variety of agility equipment. Lots of seating for humans and a massive TV that plays shows and movies. Daily admission or yearly membership is available. Rates and more info here.
    • Kellogg Park Dog Field. 6701 Kellogg Rd., Anderson. Four-acre, fenced-in park for off-leash fun. Dog-height water fountain. Beautiful mural by ArtWorks. Dawn to dusk year-round; yearly permit required. More info here.
    • David J. Stricker Dog Park. 1359 Clough Pike, Batavia. A one-acre off-leash park that allows dogs to roam off-leash. Fenced-in areas for large and small breeds. Benches, shade trees.
  • Care
  • Sleepovers
  • Going Out

North Central: Norwood, Madisonville, Hyde Park, Oakley, Pleasant Ridge

  • Play
    • Washington Park Dog Park. 1230 Elm St, Cincinnati in Over-the-Rhine. An enclosed 12,000 square-foot area within Washington Park that offers a water creek for dogs to play in, large granite boulders, and a water fountain with fresh water for owners and a spout near the ground for dogs. Benches line the perimeter of the park so visitors can hang out and socialize with other owners as well. Check out the Washington Park website for more details on the park.
    • Fido Field. 630 Eggleston Ave, Cincinnati Central Business District. Located just outside of the Central Business District near the Downtown area, this is a fenced-in, off-leash park managed and maintained completely by volunteers. The park offers play areas for both large and small breeds and there is plenty of free parking next to the park under 471 or on the surface lot on Eggleston Avenue. Currently, the park doesn’t have a permanent water source, so be sure to bring your own when you visit. More info here.
    • Redbird Hollow Trail. 6168 Given Rd. Indian Hill. Not a dog park, but a wonderful secluded 3-mile round trip nature trail with beautiful views of rivers, creek beds, forests, and many plant and bird species to discover. There’s just one entrance at a bend in the road. Dogs must be kept on leash. BYOW (bring your own water).

North: Fairfield, Franklin, Mason

  • Play
    • Wiggly Field Dog Park. 7850 VOA Park Dr. West Chester Twsp, (Mason). Fenced-in areas for small and large breeds. Benches, trees, shading structures, water fountains, and dog water bowls. More info here.
    • Schappacher Dog Park. 4686 Old Irwin Simpson Rd., Mason. Within the 10-acre Schappacher Park, there are 38,000+ square feet of room for dogs to run. This one is not huge but it’s plenty big enough for your dog to stretch his/her legs. It’s mostly mulch and bark and includes a few benches and a picnic table for the accompanying humans. More info here.
    • Furfield Dog Park. 6611 River Rd, Fairfield. The dog park is stretched over more than 6 acres of grassy land and features multiple, fenced-in areas giving room for dogs of all sizes and play levels the opportunity to exercise safely. The park also features a pond. More info here.
    • Pawmyra Dog Park. 3400 Mason Morrow Millgrove Rd, Mason. A four-acre, off-leash area located inside Mason Sports Park in Mason, OH. The dog park has dedicated play areas for smaller and larger dogs and features large entrance gates and concrete pathways for wheelchairs. More info here.
  • Care
  • Sleepovers
  • Going Out

North East: Loveland, Blue Ash

  • Play
    • Nantucket Apartments. 3569 Nantucket Dr., Loveland. A residents-only park featuring shade trees, benches, activity equipment, and a poop station. Open dawn to dusk, furry friends large and small play together. BYOW (bring your own water). More info here.
    •  Summit Park Dog Park. 4335 Glendale Milford Rd., Blue Ash. Well-maintained and fenced-in park for off-leash fun. Benches for humans; pup-height water fountains. More info here.
    • Matt Haverkamp Foundation Dog Park. 236 Wall St, Loveland. Also known as Loveland Dog Park, is located within Kiwanis Park, and is dedicated to area K9 officers and their handlers. The 2-acre space is fenced and accommodates both small and large dogs in the same area. The site includes shade trees and benches for resting. Please bring your own water. More info here.

Northern Kentucky

  • Play
    • Trails of Saddlebrook Apartments. 646 Meadowlands Trail, Florence. This resident-only dog park is more of a modest doggie run, but it’s open 24 hours and nestled amongst the trees in the back portion of the community. It has a seating bench and small activity area, and a poop station. Large and small pups play side by side. BYOW (bring your own water). More info here.
    • Fort Thomas Dog Park. 199 Mayfield Ave., Fort Thomas, KY 41075 (Fort Thomas). A dog ark inside Highland Hills Park. Fenced-in areas for both small and large breeds, and grassy areas with trails. Water is available outside the dog park, so you might want to BYOW.
    • Newport Dog Park. 901 E. 6th, Newport, KY. Located behind the Campbell County Library, the park features fenced-in areas for both large and small dogs, water fountains, lots of shade, and seating for humans. More info here.
    • The Bark Park & Patio. 7544 Burlington Pike, Florence, KY, US, 41042. The Bark Park & Patio is a private dog park with an attached taproom in Florence, KY. Fido can play in the 1+ acre fenced space while you enjoy a glass of wine or an ice-cold beer. A liability waiver will need to be signed upon your first visit. Fido must be current on all vaccinations and leased in the taproom and on the patio. Day passes are offered as well as monthly and annual dog memberships. The park is closed on Mondays for private events. Human guests must be at least 21 years of age to enter. More info here.
    • Dog Park at Walton Community Park. 35 Old Stephenson Mill Rd, Walton, KY, 41094. The fenced dog park features separate areas for small and large dogs and an agility course. After your pup expends his energy, reattach his leash and enjoy Walton Community Park which occupies 30 acres and features two large playgrounds, a paved walking trail, picnic facilities, and plenty of open space. More info here.
    • SFC Jason Bishop Memorial Dog Park. 9th St & Philadelphia St, Covington, KY 41011. Features separate areas for small and large dogs and offers seating for humans to relax and watch pups play with their new friends. Water fountains for dogs are available in warmer months. More info here.

  • Care
    • World of Pets. 7199 Turfway Rd. #2, Florence. Pet supplies.
    • PetPeople. 2790 Town Center Blvd., Crestview Hills. Pet supplies.
    • Petco. 575 Clock Tower Way, Crescent Springs. Pet supplies, training, grooming.
    • PetSmart. 1060 Hansel Ave, Florence. Pet supplies, training, grooming.
    • Yelp’s top 10 NKY groomers.
  • Sleepovers
    • Allie’s Walkabout. Voted Best of NKY 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 and most recently named the Best Doggy Daycare in all of Kentucky by Pet News Daily. It sits on 4.5 acres, so your pal will romp and play throughout their 9,000 sq. ft. facility with 4 indoor and 4 outdoor play yards full of toys and places to climb.
    • Pet Suites of Erlanger. Boarding, daycare, training, grooming.
  • Going Out
    • Check out Bring Fido’s list of dog-friendly bars and restaurants in NKY here.
    • Find Yelp recommendations
    • Or how about BARk & Patio? Northern Kentucky finally has its very first dog park and bar, The Bark Park & Patio! They have a passion for highlighting everything local, which is why you will only find the best local craft beers and wines on tap. With over an acre of fenced-in grassy space for your four-legged best friend to run around in you will have no problem relaxing while you sip on an ice-cold beer and enjoy the backyard atmosphere we all love.

 

Disclaimer: This list was assembled by the Fath Properties marketing team who have been Googling like crazy on your behalf. We have no personal experience with the vast majority of these businesses – and this list is not all-inclusive – (although we are most definitely dog lovers and have some personal experience with businesses in our various home locations), so do not necessarily endorse them due to our global inexperience. This writer would not mind a fact-finding expedition to experience them all with pup-in-tow, but that would be a story for another day). This list is provided here for you simply to narrow down your search for services and Where Dogs Are Welcome! locations throughout the greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area.

For Dogs Are Welcome Here locations in the Dallas area, click here; for locations in Dayton, click here.

Have fun taking your furry friends Where Dogs Are Welcome! locations throughout the region. Maybe we’ll see you there. Until then, tell your dog we said, “Hi!”

Paw-some Pet Friendly Holiday Events Near You!

Posted on by

 

Get your furry friend/s in on the holiday festivities this year! We’ve rounded up a few paws-itively pet-friendly holiday events you and your fluffy friend can do together in and around our Cincinnati, Dayton, and Dallas locations. Please be sure your best buddy says “woof!” to Santa Paws for us!

Cincinnati, Ohio and Northern Kentucky

Red Dog’s Santa Paws at MadTree

  • Saturday, December 10th, Noon – 3:00 PM
  • Catch-a-Fire Pizza Oakley

Santa Paws is coming to town and his first stop will be MadTree to enjoy an ice-cold brew and to pet some pups! Party at this pet friendly event with Red Dog at MadTree Brewing, 3301 Madison Rd.

A $10 suggested donation gets you a digital photo of your dog with Santa. Donations will benefit the League for Animal Welfare and give you a lasting memory of the holiday! Professional Photos by: Alyssa Jeanine Photography. Get your dog’s photo taken with Santa and they will receive a FREE gift from the big guy! (While supplies last.)

Pet Nights with Santa

  • November 21st – December 5th, 4-7 PM
  • Kenwood Towne Center

A paws-itively good time! Get your furry friends together at this pet friendly event to strike a pose with St. Nick, capturing paw-fect holiday moments to share with family and friends!

Reindog Parade

Voted the “Best Family Event” in Cincinnati!

  • Saturday, December 10. Registration begins at 12:30; the parade starts at 2:00 p.m.
  • The Monastery, Mt. Adams. The parade will be led by Santa himself!
  • Costume categories have historically been Small Dogs (under 25 lbs), Large Dogs (25 lbs and over), Dog/Owner Look-A-Like, and Multiple Dogs (2 or more dogs). Be creative – they’re looking for fun, unique, and festive costumes for each category!

Food and vendors will be available before the parade, so you can join the party ahead of time! It’s the most fun pet friendly event in town!

Dallas, Texas

Paint Your Pet! Christmas Edition!

  • Thursday, December 8th, 6-9 PM
  • 513 E I-30 Rockwall

This is an advanced, custom class. Limited seating is available, and photos of your pet must be submitted prior to the event. Please send photographs of the pet you’re planning to paint back to the email address: Studio155@paintingwithatwist.com

Due to the difficult nature of this painting, the age is set at 15 & Up.
If you have an extraordinary young artist in their teens, they may do fine with this painting, and would be allowed to attend at your discretion.

Adults over 21 are welcome to BYOB.

Light Up Lake-woof!!!

  • Friday, December 2nd, 7-10 PM
  • Lakewood Shopping Center

It’s the 20th annual Light Up Lakewood celebration, which brings live music performances, tree lighting, meetings with Santa Claus, face paintings, balloon artists, and more! Meet our adoptable dogs and cats, leave us a donation or buy a Dogrrr t-shirt or sweatshirt!

The Boho Market Stocking Stroll

  • Saturday, December 17th, Noon – 3 PM CST
  • Main Street Garden Park

Adults, kids, and pets are invited this holiday season for the 4th Annual Downtown Stocking Stroll where you can visit your favorite Downtown merchants for fun holiday stuffers and treats. This event is free, but RSVPs are requested for this pet friendly holiday event.

Main Street Garden will also host a Boho Market with local shops, hot cocoa station, and FREE train rides at the park!

Bring your own stocking or pick one up from Main Street Garden for free (while supplies last), along with the map of all participating businesses.

Family Friendly | Pet Friendly

 

Dayton, Ohio

Pet Photos with Santa

  • Monday, December 5, 5-7 PM
  • Dayton Mall

Bring your pet (dogs and cats only, please) for a photo with Santa! Leave with a picture to cherish for years. Reservations are highly recommended.

Pawsitively Purrfect Holiday Bazaar & Christmas Pawty

  • Sunday, December 11 Noon – Monday, December 12, 5 PM
  • John’s United Church of Christ

Just in time for the holidays! We have vendors from local businesses and privately owned shops, raffles, adoptable cats and dogs, music, and our famous Gift Card Christmas Tree Raffles ready for you!

Friends of SICSA Holiday Bazaar

  • Saturday December 3, 9 AM – 4 PM
  • SICSA Washington Township

Come shop pet beds, blankets, and toys; handmade gifts for you and pet lovers, and much more! Make lasting memories by getting a picture with Santa (Saturday 9am to 3pm). Cost: $10 pictures – All proceeds help our animals.

Wishing you and your best furry friend a paw-some holiday season!

Petiquette For Perfect Pups

Posted on by

Petiquette For Perfect Pups

 

If you are a pup parent, chances are you think that your pup is perfect. Mine certainly is. Seriously one of the best dogs there ever was. As hard as it is to believe for us dog lovers, however, not everyone loves dogs (GASP!) and not everyone thinks your pup is perfect (WHAT?!?). As responsible pet parents, it’s up to us to make sure that our fabulous furry friends don’t interfere with our neighbor’s right to the quiet enjoyment of their homes. Whether you reside in an apartment, condo, or single-family home, there are things you can do to help everyone love your pup as much as you do. We call it PETIQUETTE. noun. The customary code of polite pup behavior in society to ensure endless love from your friends and neighbors.

OUTDOORS

Leashes. Unless you and Rover are at the dog park, keep your pup on a leash. You know your dog like the back of your hand, but you don’t know all the other dogs, people, and events you may encounter that might trigger unusual behavior in your dog. Leashing your pup keeps him and all the other critters and peeps safe. Plus, Rover’s leash can tell the world what kind of pup he or she  is – adventure dog, princess, fashionista, bad to the bone. The possibilities are truly endless.

Poop Bags. I was just at a nice, well-maintained dog park last weekend and came home with poop on my shoe. UGH. WHY? Pay attention people! Don’t leave home without this essential and use them every time your pup poops. Dispose of the bags in a thoughtful manner – tie them up securely and place them in a designated container or common trash can. A carabiner clip on your leash can not only hold your poop bag dispenser, but also your house key, and a used poop bag. So handy if clean up duty comes mid-walk so you don’t have to swing a full bag the whole way home. Just remember to toss the bag before entering your home! Lesson learned the hard way. P.U.!!

Vaccinations. Show your pup some serious health love. Keep up on your dog’s vaccinations according to your vet’s recommendations. Don’t forget monthly heartworm treatments and flea and tick prevention. Fully vaccinated pups make for better pup friends.

Exercise. Dogs are a big-time commitment. Critical for keeping pups happy and healthy is to make sure they get regular exercise – and by regular, think several times daily. Learn more at the AKC website.

While living in an apartment, your dog is somewhat confined. He or she isn’t going to have a lot of room to run around, let out energy or play. Not only can this make little Buddy feel cooped up or frustrated, but it could also cause him to let out his energy in not-so-constructive ways (like chewing up your furniture, digging into your walls or doors, or barking).

Training and Socialization. Expose your dog to different people and settings regularly. Take him to the park, to the pet store, on a walk through town. Check out the Bring Fido app or website for a plethora of pet-friendly places that will welcome your dog. Praise him for behaving calmly around strangers and other dogs, or any other strange dog triggers. I once had a dog that had a very negative reaction to men in hats and to Siberian Huskies, but literally loved everyone and everything else. So weirdly selective.

Praise him lavishly for obeying commands and behaving well. Using positive, rather than negative, reinforcement will help your dog enjoy training.

ID Tags, License, Registration, Microchip. Be sure to get a dog license in the county where you reside. Registration fees are nominal, and the tag will help others to identify your furry friend if she decides to go on an adventure solo. Microchipping your dog is the ultimate, as a tag is removed when your dog’s collar is removed, but a microchip is there for the life of your dog. There are also sites where you can register the microchip number; again, so helpful if your dog becomes lost or stolen. Check out Home Again or Free Pet Chip Registry.

Spay, Neuter. Unless you intend to breed your pup, spay or neuter. It’s ultimately better for your dog’s health and disposition. And he really won’t miss his boy parts. Quit anthropomorphizing.

INDOORS

Control the Bark. Keep your neighbors in mind. Be courteous and consider that many people are sharing the space around your home. A dog that barks a lot will not be best received in an apartment with shared walls or a front door that is in a high traffic area. Ask your veterinarian about behavioral training if your dog is a barker. You can invest in a hand held barking deterrent, or a device that sounds when you are not at home.

Deal with Separation Anxiety. Some dogs, like my perfect pup, suffer from separation anxiety. I envisioned him being totally miserable every time I left home. Then I purchased a dog camera that allows me to see his activity on my phone and even speak to him. Turns out I was anthropomorphizing; he mostly slept after a minute of barking to let the world know he was not happy being left alone. There are even dog monitors that will allow you to remotely dispense a treat and are compatible with Alexa. Aww, way to reward your good boy or good girl.

Create a Doggie Haven. Dogs find it easier to relax and wind down if they have their own space, so make Miss Toes her own little haven in a corner of your apartment. Put a calming dog bed, a few toys, and her food and water bowls in his corner to give her a place to retreat when she needs a break. Or if she’s crate trained, make her crate as comfortable as possible. One of your used t-shirts can provide comfort, too.

Proactive Damage Prevention. Pet Proof. Even perfect pups can occasionally find it hard to resist temptation. Or get even. When Bosley came into my life, I bought him a shiny red raincoat with a yellow duck on the back. His humiliation the first time wearing it forced him to take a nice chew of my best Italian leather loafers. I learned my lesson.  So you won’t have a hard lesson to learn, move breakables or “chewables” to higher ground. Make electrical cords inaccessible to curious paws and noses. Block off any area of the house that’s off-limits. Block access to (or give away) any house plants that are toxic to dogs.

Potty walks are essential! Potty stains on the carpet, along with chewed doors, trim, and walls will present a financial issue for you when you eventually move. When your perfect pup has an accident (that was probably your fault, haha), be sure to clean it up right away using a cleaner that will remove the stain and neutralize the odor.

Playtime and Companionship. We all need a daily dose of fun for our mental health. So does Buster. In addition to outdoor exercise, Buster will love a game of toss or tug with you – his favorite thing in the whole wide world. She’ll also appreciate a play date with others of her own kind. You know, other perfect pups. A play date with a neighbor’s dog, a visit to the dog park, or an All Day Play session at your local pet retreat can work wonders. Playtime can also reduce stress-induced destructive behavior. It’s a win-win!

Good Eats, Drinks, Treats. Who doesn’t love dinner, drinks, and snacks? Of course you are going to feed and water your dog, but strategically offered snacks can encourage and reward the best pup behavior as pups tend to prefer treats over good boy stickers.

Groom. Fur sheds. Hair grows. Whichever you pup possesses needs frequent attention. If you opt to brush outside to avoid a mountain of fur inside, do so a respectful distance from your neighbors and common area, and bag up the inevitable mountain of fluff for the rubbish bin. Be sure to keep fur cleaned up from your carpets whether you brush indoors or out.

Find a Sitter. A sitter can be heaven-sent in terms of keeping your pup happy when you’re away working or having (GASP!) a life outside of your dog. Check out local dog resorts for day care or boarding, or Rover or Wag! for pet sitting or walking.

So, so many things to do and see to as a perfect pup parent, right? But aren’t they worth the effort? And won’t it be just grand when your neighbor welcomes your furry friend with some scritches (maybe ones even good enough to get that back leg going) instead of a harsh glare.

 

RESOURCES: Pet Safe, American Veterinary Medical Association, American Kennel Club, Apartment Guide, Human Animal Support Services