In an ideal world, every dog owner would be able to open his or her back door onto a wide-open field, surrounded by forest, where the pup could run, play and freely interact with nature for hours at a time. Unfortunately, that’s just not the case for many dog owners, especially those who live in apartments in major urban areas. That’s why it’s so important for urban dwellers to be conscientious pet caretakers whose actions respect their fellow human residents as well as the true nature of their dogs. If you’re willing to make a few changes to your normal pet care routines, you can improve the life and wellbeing of your dog.
Safety
Cities can be pretty dangerous places for dogs, so it’s critical that your first priority is safety. When you go out for walks, there are several things to keep in mind to make sure no harm comes to your furry friend.
- Be constantly scanning the sidewalk for objects that could hurt your dog’s paws or cause problems if ingested. Unfortunately, things like broken glass and plastic debris are common sights on city streets, so it’s your job to be vigilant about where you walk and what you allow your pet to inspect, smell or eat.
- No matter how friendly your pup is, you should be careful about letting him greet other people or dogs you come across on your walks. Even the most docile dogs can sometimes react unexpectedly, so whenever another person or pet approaches, be attentive and ready to react in case of an issue.
- Unless you’re in a safe, enclosed area that allows dogs to be off leashes, you should never let your beloved canine walk around the city on his own. Even if he’s great about responding to your voice, you would never want to risk him running out into a busy street.
- I hate to see how frequently people leave their dogs tied up outside of a shop or restaurant. Not only is it cruel, but there are many dangerous risks involved, including other dogs and people with ill intentions. Tempting as it may be, you should avoid combining a walk with running errands.
Off the Leash
Leashes are a necessary reality for dog owners, but you should seek off-the-leash opportunities as much as possible. Dogs are meant to be active without restraint, and having consistent time to do so is very important to their emotional wellbeing. Most cities now have several dog parks where owners can let their furry friends run around on their own. And if you don’t have your own backyard, you might have friends or family members who would let you use theirs occasionally. Some urban areas even have dog beaches or forest preserves where dogs are allowed to roam freely – these are ideal as they offer them opportunities to interact with nature, as opposed to just the same old patch of grass. If possible, you should aim to give your pooch some off-the-leash recreation time every day.
Socialization
If you have more than one dog, they get to socialize all the time, which is great. But, especially in cities, single dogs are the norm. You would go crazy if you were rarely given the chance to socialize with peers, right? Well, just like us, dogs are extremely social creatures and usually love playing with other dogs. If you frequent dog parks or dog-friendly nature areas, you’ll likely come across other owners who are looking to give their dogs a little social play time too. Otherwise, it might be a good idea to make doggy play dates with other owners you know. Just make sure that the dogs get along with one another – respect the fact that they have the same type of varied reactions to other dogs as you have to other people.
Dog Walkers
Though I would never advise for a dog to be left alone for long stretches of time, I know that it’s a reality for many working pet owners. If that’s the case for you, it’s important to minimize the time your pet is on his own. First, avoid scheduling other engagements directly after work – even if you go to the gym or out for dinner, make sure to build in time to come home and spend a bit of time with your dog before you head back out. For many urban dog owners, hiring a dog walker is a great solution. Having someone stop by midway through your work day to pet, walk and comfort your pup is well worth the cost. As some walkers take a few dogs out at once, this will also give your pup an added social opportunity. “It’s obvious how excited the dogs are to see me. And I do everything I can to stimulate them – go to different parks, explore new neighborhoods and just generally find ways to let the dogs be dogs, even in the city” said Ryan Fischer, owner of Waggedu, a Manhattan dog walking and sitting service. Giving your canine friend this social break in the day helps his emotional wellbeing a great deal. As an urban-dwelling dog owner, it’s your responsibility to do whatever you can to accommodate your pet’s instinctual needs and inherent nature. To do so, you’ll probably need to get a bit creative and invest a little more time and money, but these changes will contribute significantly to the improved health and happiness of your pooch in the long run.
