Condo Living for OES?
Ive been wanting a dog for the past 2 years and have done extensive research and I would like to get an OES. However, I need to be realistic and not be mesmerized by the fluffy cuteness and personality. I am prepared to deal with the grooming, vet, food costs, etc... The only concern I have is this and I'd like your honest advice... I live in a 550 sq ft condo and looking at getting a female OES. Some people say I shouldnt get an OES because the dog is too "big" for my space. But lots of dogs do well in condos - there is a great dane and newfoundland in my building. I work from 8 - 4 pm. I can't come home in the middle of the day as I am a teacher and can't leave my students - however, I am going to get a dog walker, twice a day, for 1 hour each...my plan is to wake up at 6:30 (instead of 7) to let the dog out and brief walk, crate until 10 am; dog walker comes to let dog out to bathroom and walk for 1 hr; back in crate until 2 pm..then another dog walk for 1 hr....I get home around 5 pm and will let it out to the bathroom as well as a walk....then when Im home the dog will not be in a crate....I plan to then take my dog out at 10:45 for another 45 min walk and final potty break...and then back in the crate from 12:00 to 6 am... Does the above sound reasonable for an OES? A lot of forums say that its ok to crate a dog during the day and when it sleeps, as long as 1) sufficient exercise 2) mental stimulation 3) bonding between the owner. Many forums suggest that just because an owner has to work away from home, it shouldn't be a barrier to getting a dog. Most of the time, dogs sleep or just lie around all day anyway...so if properly crate trained and exercised, it shouldn't be a problem. Do you think the above applies to the OES? I am not leaving it in the crate continuously during the day - I am getting two 1 hr dog walks spaced 4 hrs apart (is that too much even?) If I could get some advice that'd be awesome.... Thanks |
|
|
| Welcome to the forum. The energy level of Giant breeds (Great Danes and Newfoundlands) and herding breeds differs greatly. Giant breeds do not require nearly as much exercise as herding breeds. It is doable. Would I personally have an OES puppy in a small area. No. They can be hellions at a young age. I would go meet breeders and meet some OES in your area. 2 one hour walks wouldn't exhaust my 2 yr old sheepie. (it would be too much for a pup under 6mo) Remember they were bred to work all day long. They are working dogs. It also doesn't apply to all OES. If you adopt an older OES you wouldn't have to worry to much about all that. They stay mentally puppies/teenagers for longer than most breeds, around 3 is when they "grow up" "get their brains" although every dog is different. Look up a breed club in your area and meet some OES! |
| We have friends who have a big male sheepdog in a small apartment. I don't think space is a big issue for sheepdogs, because when they are with you, they are with you, by your side, whether you lived in a small condo or a 100 room mansion. When you are not with them, they are likely sleeping. My dogs can be wild hellions outside at the dog park, but inside they are mostly couch potatoes. Crate training is great, our first sheepdog was crated when she was home alone until she was almost 2 years old, and she never complained. Regular exercise outside is essential, not just walks, but places where they can run and play. Training is essential too, a sheepdog loves to work and loves to please, training is considered work for them and it will stimulate their brains. Sheepdogs can be real goofy but they are very smart too. You could also look at activities like agility or herding to really stimulate their minds as well as work their bodies, you don't have to aim to compete, you can just do it for fun. Puppies are puppies however, I would strongly recommend you time getting a puppy when you're able to get time off (perhaps the summer if you're a teacher). At 8 weeks, they are practically infants. It will really pay off in the long run if you are home with the puppy for the first 2-4 weeks to make housetraining as easy and quickly as possible and start the training and bonding on very solid footing. And remember, a tired puppy is a good puppy! Getting a sheepdog was the best decision we ever made (and we have 3 of them now  ) |
| Puppies are lot of work, and require a time commitment. As far as the dog itself in a condo, it's not a problem as long as you have a plan in place. My daughter, her husband and 2 kids lives w/ their 2 adult OES in a small 2 bedroom apt on a 3rd floor...for about a year. They had moved from a big house, as my daughter was going back to college and needed to be closer to her school. The dogs adjusted just fine. Doing this with a puppy would just be a lot more challenging. There are several young dogs here you have members who live in condos or town houses - and they do just fine. More important is keeping them busy. My happy 1 yr old has been going to obedience classes w/ me twice a week (I teach), rally and conformation once a week, doing herding classes, as well as getting lots of running and wrestling time with our other dogs. Physical and mental exercise is the key to a happy and wel behaved puppy growing into a great adult! |
| I lived in a condo with my OES from the time he was about three until he was almost 15. My biggest problem was the lack of a fenced yard for him to run. This was before dog parks - mwhich I'm not fond of anyway - and I used to take him to the enclosed school yard after hours or my parents house to run off some energy. Walks are good but sheepdogs need to run - especially puppies doing that crazy puppy thing they all do. FRAPS I think they call it. For me and in my opinion, a fenced yard is a must have for any herding or working breed. |
| We did not have an OES puppy in our condo, but we did bring Annie in who was 6 years old. We lived in what they call a "coach" home where there were 4 units with a common entrance. We knew and liked all the neighbors and they never minded if Annie roamed the halls or visited their units. It was really nice. She was way overweight when she came to us and the walking the complex helped tremendously and she was just fine in the space. One of the neighbors walked her during the day as well while we were at work. At least for my two, they both like walks now that their older and the need to run in the yard decreases. I think many dogs are adaptable and your pup won't know anything different anyway. Give him/her lots of exercise, introduce to some other dogs in the area and I think a puppy will be just fine. You meet so many people when you have a dog and might find a small group of people to play with. Tennis courts are a great place if no one complains, friends/family with a fenced yard...you will get creative. Feel out dog parks in the area. We never had any problems, but again it depends on your dog and then who is there too. I know my parents had raised their first male sheepdog in their apartment many years ago and he was just fine. There was a Bassett Hound on the same floor and the dogs ran up and down the hallway. Times have changed and it would all depend on what type of building you are in and the people. Don't be discouraged! |
| If you get one that barks they BARK that may be an issue depending on the sound qualities of the Condo. And yes lot's of people assume you need heaps of space - If Archie is more than a foot from me when I am home that is a shock, be prepared for a soggy leg! |
We have a pretty small house, and Eevee does just fine here. She is usually somewhere within two feet of me, no matter what, so it's not like she needs her space  We do have a fenced area here, but she doesn't really use it for running around in, she really prefers to be inside. She does like to go for walks though, as long as I'm with her. It's not a big deal to her though, she's perfectly content to stay in and not go for any walks (especially if it's rainy out, both my dogs hate wet feet!). As a girl, she's a bit smaller than some OES, but still a big dog (I forget how big she really is until I look at other people's dogs!). So yeah, even with two dogs in our little house, we have plenty of room and both dogs are doing just wonderful.My only concern for you, is that if you're getting a young puppy, it can't really be left alone for very long at all, even in a crate. When we first got Eevee, I wouldn't leave her alone for more than two hours, housebreaking with her was a nightmare and she had to go out very often or there would be lots of accidents on the floor (and there were a lot, my carpet definitely shows that!). Eevee, at nearly a year old, is trusted to stay at home, out of the crate, without ruining anything or piddling on the floor, and she's doing very well. I can put her in the crate if I need to, but I don't really need to. I was home the entire time she was a puppy, so I was always here for housetraining and I didn't crate train at all. The only reason I have a crate is for when we go places, and she does like to lay in it sometimes. You're a teacher, so it might be best for you if you get your puppy during summer break. If that doesn't work for you, maybe consider an older dog that is already housetrained. There's plenty of nice OES in rescues. If the actual floor space in your place is pretty small, you might have some issues with things getting knocked over and run into, so just be aware of that. I have plenty of room here and we still get the occasional knocking over of certain pieces of furniture whenever Eevee gets super hyper. And they bark. A lot. And it is possibly the most horrible sound I have ever experienced so close to my ears. It is loud, and it is very difficult for me to get her to stop barking if there is something interesting to bark at. I have a neighbor who lives down the street that gives me mean looks and tells me to put a muzzle on my dog so she stops barking, and she's at the other end of the short block from me! So Of course, not all dogs are so vocal, and they can be trained better than I train mine (I am far from being a great dog trainer!). |
| my husband and i live in a 1200 sq foot condo on the 11th floor..we moved in there with our 7 yr old oes, panda...she adapted fine ...Panda passed away and we now have a 9 month old oes, lola....the hardest part was potty training... it takes a lot of effort on your part to start potty training correctly. we were up and down the elevator every hour to hour and a half to take her to potty...we dont believe in the potty pads because i didnt want her to ever think it was okay to go potty inside... we have had several accidents but at 9 months now, she is well on her way..she sleeps thru the night and we are down to potty's about every 3 to 4 hours...im hoping that by the time she is 1, she will be able to hold it a LOT longer... |
| Have you considered daycare rather than walking twice a day? Or, possibly a mix, 3 days daycare, 2 walks. |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|