[puppylove2009]

Okay hear me out on this.

Do you feel the larger the dog the larger the apartment should be?

I ask this because....I have a neighbor who has a Great Dane. They live in a 1 bedroom 650 sq ft apartment (the smallest unit in the complex). (Thats two adult humans and an almost full grown Great Dane)

During the Day he leaves the Dane out on the patio (which isn't even half the length of the unit. (He doesn't leave the door open because he is on the first floor) He leaves him there about 7 hours. Dog barks all day.


He comes home and lets the dog out (we've witnessed it twice) and the dog is so full of energy from being kept in that small area that he literally can't control the dog. The dog drags him. (Most danes are calmer than that)

This guy then takes him right back inside (so I don't think he gets much exercise he used to before winter but now that its dark before they get home I don't think he does)

He doesn't clean up after the dog though I understand he can't control him but he should atleast come back out and clean it up.


I guess I just feel if you are going to have a dog that size you need a bigger unit.

When our pups were little we had a 600 sq ft 1 bedroom and it was too small for 2 adults and 2 little pups.

We moved into a 2 bedroom 1100 sq ft apartment and it was just right for our 11 pound and 25 pound dog and us. Honestly a little too much room. And we may downsize to a large 1 bedroom. (945 sq ft) but that is for like 6 months

But I guess I just feel that if you are going to have a large dog or more than one dog you need to have enough room.

I'm just speaking out of concern for the dog and the fact that I know how crazy a small living space made my two little dogs

I mean there may be circumstances as to why they are in an apartment that small (they are a young couple I don't see why they chose a Great Dane though when they did)

What do you think

[puppylove2009]

I wanted to add I know a lot of it is because they don't exercise the dog but at the same time I can imagine how uncomfortable that living space is for all 3 of them.

Our two dogs always have gotten tons of exercise. They have always got more on the weekends. But during the week they get too 45 minute walks day and on weekends we take a 4 and a half mile trail. Even back then it was uncomfortable when they were pups and we lived in that small of a space. it wasn't fun for any of us.

So I can only imagine how this Dane feels and how uncomfortable it must be for all of them.

They got the dane after they moved in I still don't know what they were thinking

My family and I live in a townhouse and years ago a lady lived across from us, very sweet. She had a dog named Tiny...well Tiny was anything but tiny. He was a full grown English Mastiff. Now, yes, I do think an apartment and a townhouse are too small for big dogs, but as long as they get plenty of exercise I think one could let it slide.

As for your neighbor not letting his dog exercise, I think is a mistake. Big dogs have bundles of energy (well certain breeds do) and if they're not trained they can become quite destructive. This owner should learn to control his dog either with training or walking more, etc. So I agree with you there.

There's an acquaintance of ours that has a nice home with a nice yard, yet they don't do anything with their Border Collie that's cooped up all day long. I'm almost positive that they take their dog on walks, but she said the dog is sometimes destructive, well why do you think? The dog is bored!

Big or small dogs that are bored can be uncontrollable. Exercise is the key to unwind a dog down. That and training. Seems like your next door neighbor needs some training himself....either that or he should've waited to get a Great Dane.

the only way its fair is if the dog gets oodles of exercise........period

I agree with 4-Paws-up: A long walk/jog with the dog EVERY SINGLE DAY is imperative for this dog. And no amount of training will improve the dog's behavior without it.

As for the size of the apartment: Before we were able to purchase our modest little home (1462 sq. feet), we lived in a 650 sq. foot, two bedroom apartment-- two adults, two children, and a cat (we waited until we bought our house to get a dog). We never realized just how cramped we were until we bought our house, with more than double the sq. footage. I think, as long as they get their great dane out for a very long walk every day, preferably twice a day, considering his size vs. size of living quarters, he would tolerate it fairly well. And yes, it is inhumane to force the dog to spend the day in his own "bathroom"-- any responsible pet owner would clean up the area daily. Obviously, if the people cannot invest the time and energy to properly see to the dog's needs, they should find him a better home. It is unfair to the dog.

Oh-- and since I work nights and sleep days, it is always dark when I walk my dog too-- that's no excuse; that's why we have flashlights. As for the concern about psychopaths lurking around, they have no need to fear with a great dane at their side. I have a springer spaniel, and strange men keep their distance, even crossing to the opposite side of the street to avoid us.

Okay, so now that it appears we are all in agreement that the dog is not being adequate cared for, the question is what to do about it, if there is anything that can be done? I'm sorry, I don't have the answer to that one. But perhaps you'll think of something, now that you know your concerns are justified.

[wishbone]

Do they seemed to live there for a long time. As the dog really needs enough space, the exercises and comfortable area is all he basically needs.

[puppylove2009]

From what I know they've lived here 2 years and had the dog for a year and have no plans on moving.

When I say they don't clean up after him I mean when they let him out. They leave his droppings for everyone else to step in. Which doesn't surprise me because there are only two other couples besides us here that actually clean up after the dog.

I'm just glad we are moving and relocating. I know not to get involved. In apartment life you just go about your own business, you keep to yourself.

[tiddlypup]

having had danes and mastiffs for over 28yrs i have to disagree,they fit perfectly well in small apartments,as for exercise giant breeds dont need huge amounts,its actually not good for them,a good 20 min burst then nice sedate walk twice a day is plenty,i now only have 1 neapolitan mastiff and my small dogs and believe you me the little ones could go all day and need far more exercise

As long as the dog gets the exercise that he needs and a space where they can rest, I think there is no need for you to move to a bigger place. unless you're no longer comfortable in your apartment.

It's not really the size of the dog that matters but the energy level of the dog. Any dog, big or small, is going to need more exercise than that dog's owners are giving him. Many small dogs, Jack Russells come to mind, are just not suited for apartment life because of their extreme high energy levels. OTOH, many large dogs are such couch potatoes that they do just fine in a small apartment--as long as they get some exercise!! If that owner doesn't want to walk the dog in the dark, then he needs to get a treadmill to exercise the dog on. (Does the complex have an exercise room he could take the dog to for this?)

I'd also call him on the issue of cleaning up after his dog.

I walk my dogs in the dark. I've walked them in the rain...the snow...etc.

We got my boxer Heidi when we were living in a small apartment (about the same size as listed) All my dogs stay in kennels when were not at home so Im sure its alot smaller then that patio.

But heres the thing. Heidi went on LONG walks almost every day if the weather permitted. I wanted to get her into a dog park but their wasnt one close. She's also VERY well trained off leash so we'd go to the little park that was right next to our complex (our building was only across the street from it) It had nice walking trails and we'd go off into the woods a bit to this pond. I'd let her off leash and just let her go nuts and run all around the pond and watch her try to figure out how to get the geese :mrgreen:

It worked out fine for us, but it obviously took a lot of effort on my part!

Its normal for a dog to have a ton of energy when the owner first gets home. But it sounds like he needs to get himself some kind of training collar (gentle leader, prong collar, halti, etc) to take the dog on a walk without him pulling.

He could also send the dog to doggie daycare a few times a week where he'd get to spend his whole day running around with other dogs.

Do you know the neighbor enough to where you could ask him if you could let his dog out to potty and for a walk during the day? maybe play with your dogs (if you have dogs that is). But suggest in a way that its something that YOU would like and without insulting him. Maybe say "Hey I take a jog in the afternoons and I was wondering if I could make let your dog tag along with me a few times a week".

Just an idea.