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| Yes | 59% | 233 votes | Total: 395 votes | |
| No | 41% | 162 votes |
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Add to FavoritesThinking about getting a dog, but you don't have a yard?
I'll tell you - my aunt has a very large yard. She also has a very large dog. A large dog that gets shoved into the yard all by herself, where she proceeds to get bored and either lays in the corner, stands on the porch pawing at the door, or barks incessantly until she's let back in.
A yard is meaningless to a dog. It is a patch of land where he can sit, bark, and poop. That's about it. Exercise? What dog exercises all by itself? Unless, of course, it's to get into mischief while attempting to find China.
It isn't a yard that makes a dog happy. A dog is happy when it gets mental stimulation, exercise, and socialization. A yard doesn't do that. People do that.
Dogs take work. They require a time commitment. A very large time commitment. Basically, you're going to have the equivalent of a toddler for 10 or more years. The degree of care, exercise, training, socialization, and play required varies highly among individual dogs, but you can't get away from the fact that you are responsible for an animal that can't do much without your help. Yard or not. Whether you're more likely to meet those needs if you have a yard is a personal decision, and one that you need to be honest with yourself about.
A dog that has a lot of energy is going to need walks, even runs, frequently. Tossing a ball in the yard or tossing it at the park, to the dog, there isn't much difference. What matters is if you're willing to get on all your gear and get off your butt and go to the park with your dog to toss that ball. Some breeds may need even more than that, such as running next to you while you bike or rollerblade. Some may need less. Personally, I have to take my dog for a drag. She's quite lazy.
It will also be up to you to provide the proper amount of mental stimulation for his or her personality as well. Training classes, walking, games, and doggy sports are all ways to meet that need. None of which require a yard. But will you do them? Even after working, when you're tired? After taking care of children, if you have any? A yard isn't the solution here. A bored dog shoved into a yard is a dog that digs, barks, or chews up the shed. He won't want to be by himself. He will want you to play with him. Some people are more likely to work with their dogs if they have a yard, but it certainly isn't the requirement. Your time and willingness to spend it are.
Socialization is as important a part of raising and training a dog as exercise. A yard doesn't allow for any socialization. Walks outside the yard and trips to classes, parks, and pet stores are all part of owning a well-socialized and balanced dog. If you live in a pet-friendly apartment or condo complex, you have the advantage here, as you're highly likely to meet all the other dogs as you take yours out for walks and potty breaks. In my complex, everyone gets to meet the new puppy, and friendships are formed not only between the dogs, but between the owners as well.
Deciding to get a dog is a huge decision that should not be taken lightly. A yard is not a magical panacea that lets anyone be able to own a dog, guilt-free. Nor is it a requirement for a well-balanced, happy dog. The key to a happy dog is his owner - YOU.
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No
Dogs need space and exercise, that is a well known fact, and even though I read people in the other argument saying that the owners still walk the dogs so it's ok - it's not, because the owner isn't in all the time.
Big dogs especially need space to run or move, it is unfair for a dog to be locked in an apartment all day, even more if they are alone. Dogs aren't there to be cooped up in a small space whilst you're out. Whether the owner walks the dog is irrelevant because no dog enjoys being locked up alone. I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't like to be locked in a room all day on your own with hardly any space to move...
Most dogs enjoy being outside, that's nature. All dogs need fresh air. An apartment can also get too hot for a dog to stay in. This may cause the dog to be irritated. People moan when dogs chew their furniture - but if you are going to lock a dog inside a room and be out all day at work, then yes the dog is going to chew things, because inevitably he will get bored.
I understand that sometimes it is inevitable that people will have to move into an apartment with a dog, however I am just trying to point out that buying a dog whilst you are living in an apartment is not a great idea for the dog, and maybe some of your furniture.
I am also not saying that the yard has to be massive, but dogs prefer being outside where they can urinate, walk and get some air. A small yard is better than being cooped up in a small apartment which will probably get hot in the summers.
If you are going to get a dog when you live in an apartment with no yard, then I recommend getting a Boxer or another small dog. Not a Great Dane or a Husky, which need a lot of space and exercise. Huskies love to run so it would be unfair to lock them in an apartment. You must consider how much space you have in comparison to how big the dog is likely to grow and then work out if you think it would be viable to home that specific breed of dog.
There are many other animals which would be much more suited to living in a small space, and that also don't need their own yard, such as birds, fish, snakes, cats and many more that you could home instead.
Learn more about this author, Natalie M. Wolverson.
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