Can Golden Retrievers Live In An Apartment? Explained!

Golden Retrievers are generally very active dogs and need plenty of room to run and play. So can a Golden Retriever live in an apartment? You should have a convenient place to stay with your fluffy friend. People living in rental spaces may not afford the luxury of living with their pets. Some landlords will never allow it. If this is the case, you need to explore other ways to live with your Golden Retriever.

Are Golden Retrievers good apartment dogs?

You can live with your Golden Retriever in an apartment. But, you have to find one that allows pets since not all apartments are pet friendly. Just make sure you are prepared to exercise your dog since retrievers tend to be full of energy and need enough space.

The secret to successfully living with your Golden Retriever in an apartment is to understand their needs and find the right space. For instance, you ought to appreciate the amount of energy Golden Retrievers have. Also, consider the neighbors, potty breaks the dog may need, and their overall lifestyle needs.

Golden Retriever owners have their work cut out for them. Learn more about what to expect below. Only then can you decide if an apartment is right for you and your favorite furry friend.

How Do Apartment Sizes Compare to the Retriever’s Needs?

This should be one of the first questions you ask yourself when scouting for a living space. It is even more important if you want to live in an apartment. Retrievers are generally medium to large-sized dogs.

They are usually not the first preference when indoor dogs are being considered. They are assumed to take up more space than their small to medium-sized counterparts. What’s more, Golden Retrievers are energetic and will require a lot of space to exercise.

However, what most people fail to realize is that Golden Retrievers do not necessarily need a lot of indoor space. You can live in a moderately sized apartment with them without any issues. As an owner, all you have to do is schedule time every day for outdoor exercises.

Let your dog run around in the park and play with the other dogs to release the energy. In most cases, Golden Retrievers will enjoy the outdoor freedom and appreciate it more than being cooped up indoors regardless of the large spaces. Unless it is impossible to go outdoors, make sure to have your Golden walk and run around inside.

However, it is also important to have a reasonably sized apartment if you live with your Golden Retriever. Besides their agility and sporty behavior, these dogs are also affectionate. They enjoy spending time with their loved ones and family.

Therefore, it only means they want to be around family members. It would be best if you thus get large enough spaces to accommodate the dog whenever you are in the house. When relaxing, your dog will most likely come and squeeze with you on the couch, so the space has to be large enough.

Are Golden Retrievers Too Loud for Apartment Living?

Dogs have different characteristics. These traits may determine whether or not they are suited to live in apartments. Loud dogs may not be the best choice for such spaces because apartments are generally confined.

One of the things you ought to consider when looking for a living space with the dog is the lifestyle vs. the dog’s behavior.

If you are moving into an apartment where people prefer their quiet and tranquility, it isn’t good to bring the dog along. Dogs bark, and you must be sure that neighbors will not complain about this.

You will draw attention to yourself if you have a Golden Retriever. These dogs tend to bark loudly, and some people may consider this a nuisance. Any small distraction can get them barking their life out and scare strangers or neighbors.

Alert your neighbors to keep calm if your dog goes off barking when they open their doors. It is safe to move to an apartment block that accommodates pets since the other tenants or owners will understand. Besides that, you can also invest in dog training to help the dog keep calm when needed.

Beware of disturbing behaviors when your pet can suddenly fail to contain their build-up energy. Such is when they keep jumping up and down on floors or hitting the walls. It can be a serious distraction, especially if you live on the upper floors.

Most of your neighbors may lodge complaints if this happens frequently. Fortunately, this is a situation that can be salvaged. Make sure to take the dog out often to help them release the energy and get tired enough to relax when back indoors.

How Good are Golden Retrievers with Potty Time?

One thing all apartment dwellers agree on is that dog potty time can be a great challenge. People with houses let their dogs out and have them complete their business in the backyard. However, the same cannot be said for people in apartments without such provisions.

If the apartment does not have a backyard, dog owners have to get away from doing this. One strategy could be coming up with a gated area that serves as a backyard and where the dog can do their business whenever they need to.

Alternatively, you could establish a walking routine where your retriever does their business outdoors and gets back to the house sorted.

However, the second option may be tricky and take time to adjust. You have to work hard to figure out which routine works, especially if your pet goes several times. The age of your retriever may determine how often they go to the bathroom, but it is possible to come up with a routine that works.

How Do You Figure Out the Exercising Bit?

Golden Retrievers are quite active and can easily get fussy when they don’t get their exercise. Note that these dogs have been bred for lots of energy. You must ensure they get enough exercise for their mental and physical well-being.

Most Golden Retrievers will be openly stubborn when they miss their daily workout. Nothing you do can calm them down when they get to this state. They may even be destructive when ignored for a longer time.

The good news is that your house does not matter. Your Golden Retriever will most definitely enjoy playing outside than they would inside. Come up with a routine that works for both of you and stick to it.

Living with your Golden Retriever in an apartment means they get little chance outdoors alone. Therefore, you must create the time to exercise and allow them to move around. These do not have to be complex exercises.

A simple one-hour or more walk every day does the trick. You could also take the dog to the park and allow them to run around. Some people play fetch, while others create games involving their dogs running and jumping.

If you do this right, you can be sure that your dog will be happy. Neighbors may also fall in love with the retriever because of their discipline and calm. You may be surprised that your Golden Retriever will never be a nuisance to you and the other apartment dweller with a little training.

If you decide to settle for an apartment, make sure you are ready for the hard work. Your Golden Retriever will adjust to the new space depending on how you train them.

Figure out the potty training and workout needs compared to the behavioral changes. Not all dogs are similar, so you ought to pay attention.

No one wants to be summoned frequently because they cannot contain their dog. How well you train and manage your dog in an apartment makes staying in an apartment easy. Some people may even decide to get pets because of how well you have done with yours.