Tips to Sharing an Apartment as a Dog Owner
You may adore your furball, but for others, they can be a huge responsibility, and if not appropriately trained, they can ruin your roommates living experience. To keep the peace, here are some tips for caring for your pooch with roommates.
Keep Common Spaces Clean
A big reason many people choose not to own pets is they’re a lot of responsibility, and not everyone is ready for that. One of those responsibilities is cleaning up after your furry friend – which you should be on top of so your roommate doesn’t have to pick up the slack. If Fido has an accident inside or throws up on the couch, you need to clean it up as soon as possible to ensure your roommate feels comfortable and clean in their home. And if your roommate ever ends up cleaning up after your pooch, make sure to thoroughly thank them, and assure them it won’t become a habit.
Stay Respectful & Don’t Assume
Don’t ever assume anything when it comes to your dog. If you’re planning on leaving your pooch alone at the apartment for a weekend, talk to your roommate first to make sure it’s okay. Pet-sitting for a whole weekend without any notice is extremely inconsiderate – and if your roommate was planning on going out of town, you’ll either ruin their weekend plans or leave Fido home all alone.
Take Responsibility for any Damages
Accidents happen, and when they do, you need to own up to them. If your four-legged friend knocks over a lamp or chews up your roommate’s shoes – you need to take the initiative and pay for a replacement. If you can’t afford to at the time, you need to sit down with your roommate and mutually come up with a solution. If your canine companion tends to be ruining and breaking a lot of things lately, it’s probably time to invest in some training and Sit Means Sit Knoxville can help your pooch become the obedient dog your roommate will adore.
Check-in with your Roommate
Even if you have a relaxed roommate who seems to “go with the flow,” you should still check in with them regularly to ensure your pet isn’t bothering them. They could be too anxious or shy to bring it to your attention, so if you start the conversation, it can allow your roommate to feel comfortable opening up to you about any issues. The last thing you want is someone feeling uncomfortable in their own home.
In a perfect world, your canine companion and your roomie will become the best of buddies – but this isn’t always the case. If your pup and your roommate are completely clashing, it may be time to find a new living situation. If you can’t break your lease, try to keep the peace for the remainder of your time there. This is the last case scenario, though, and if you communicate and are respectful things should be smooth sailing.