We decided to try and get into our local apartment building so I can move out of my grandma’s house. I’m her caregiver, but I don’t have to stay with her; it was just my only option at the time since I came back to Kansas from Colorado to take care of her.
My main question is, how do I dog proof?
Our Rottweiler scratches at the door to let us know he has to go outside, and I unfortunately can’t break him of it. When we got him from the humane society, it was something he did from day one, and this causes deep scratches in our doors and door frame.
My pitty (my current service dog in training at home because she’s scared of other dogs) has bad anxiety and ends up having accidents when we leave to go places. Plus, she’s 6-8, so it could just be her age as her hips are starting to bother her more often.
In our Colorado home, we just steam cleaned it, but that’s something I don’t have at the moment, and she doesn’t understand potty pads; she just messes them up and our Rottweiler will play with them.
Any type of pet proofing or products would be SO helpful! <3
Be really careful of the lease agreement. There are subreddits dedicated to renting and apartments with nightmare stories of landlords billing thousands for damages that should cost much less. Make sure it’s not a place with nice stained trim or mahogany doors. If I were your landlord, I’d be fine with you wrecking the door as long as you understand it’s your responsibility to replace it when you move. I’d charge a pet deposit for such things, but you should consider it gone and not count on it when you move.
For the scratches, consider buying some plexiglass at Home Depot, cutting it to the size of the door, and covering it. They have double-sided tape on Amazon that should come off without damage. Make sure the edges are not sharp! For the trim, search Amazon for ‘trim protector for dogs’—there are options that could work.
As for the accidents, ensure the place doesn’t have nice floors easily damaged by urine. Preferably, avoid wall-to-wall carpet. Clean up accidents immediately and invest in a steam cleaner mop. Hardwood floors are okay if the finish is durable, but urine sitting for hours would be bad.
You might need to confine the dogs to a single room that will take the least damage when you’re out. This can help manage their behavior and protect your apartment.
Also, consider getting calming aids for your pitty if her anxiety is a big issue. There are anxiety wraps and calming treats that could help soothe her when you leave.