It can be challenging to find the apartment of your dreams in the price range and the neighborhood you want in NYC. Add in the feature of the apartment, condo or co-op complex needing to be dog friendly and the available options will be considerably reduced. If you have a dog or plan to have one in your not too distant future, it is wise to put the requirement of dog-friendly at the top of your list when looking for your next home. It can be very discouraging to continually be turned away because you have a dog, or to finally find the place you really hope to live in, only then to discover it is not a pet-friendly rental. Better to filter your search with your current or future canine companion in mind.

Even buildings that allow dogs in rental properties often have rigid rules and restrictions in place. It is important to be transparent about your dog, and educated about the details of any regulations in place when you are apartment hunting. If you are using a realtor or other professional to assist you in your search, they should be making the correct inquiries to insure your search is productive, and that the landlord or management company considering you as a tenant is aware of your dog and can confirm that they too will be approved. 

It is not uncommon for a landlord or co-op board to request a meeting with your dog to see for themselves that your dog is polite, well mannered, and meets any requirements in place. Some restrictions may include:

• Breed restrictions – It is far too common for some dog breeds, regardless of the individuals personality and behavior to be disqualified without exception. If a breed restriction is in place it will commonly include: pit bull types, Rottweilers, and Dobermans. Generally the restricted dogs have been classified as aggressive and therefor considered too great a liability. These restricted dogs may also have a history of making other tenants uncomfortable and have therefor been a problem for building owners in the past.

• Size restrictions – It is very common for apartment buildings that do allow dogs to only allow small to small/medium size dogs. Be diligent in knowing the maximum size allowable and be sure your dog falls below that. This is especially important if you have or are getting a puppy that is not yet full grown. This caution is even more important if the pup is a mix breed of uncertain origin. Some of the reasons building managers have and enforce size restrictions for resident dogs are: the general wear and tear effect they have on their surroundings is minimal, the threat and liability risk is of little concern, and being courteous and considerate of tenants who are not dog owners is important.

• Number allowable – Typically apartments will only allow one, maybe two dogs per unit. if you are shopping for an apartment and do not yet have your dog, make sure you have the allowance of having a dog in writing on your lease agreement. Be aware that some landlords and management companies charge an extra fee to tenants with a dog. This cost may be built into your monthly rent or common charges. If there is a fee, you may want to know this ahead of time so you are not disappointed if the amount falls outside your budget. If having a multiple dog household appeals to you, be sure to know the possible restrictions and additional fees you will face when ready to add an additional dog to your family.

Dog Friendly with Conditions

Buildings that tote themselves as dog friendly may not be so with unconditional love.

Be sure to know what rules your prospective building may have in place. If you already live in the building and are getting a new dog or puppy, be sure to learn how your dog is expected to behave and do the training required to meet those rules and regulations. The behavioral considerations to keep in mind are typically:

• No excessive barking
• No barking between 10pm and 7am
• Elimination in designated areas only
• Dogs to only use a designated elevator or stairwell (unless in arms)
• No aggressive dogs (that can include the perception of aggressive behavior like excited lunging or barking)
• Dogs must be on 4 to 6 foot leash and under control in shared spaces (lobby, elevator, hallways, mail rooms, etc

Be A Good Neighbor

Most dog behavior rules are reasonable, understandable, and not surprising. Achieving them however is not always as easy as we would like it to be. Be sure to train your dog to be a good neighbor and citizen. If you have a puppy, enroll in puppy school and puppy socialization/playgroups. If you have or are getting an adult dog, a beginner manners class is the right choice for you. If going to a group class doesn’t work with your schedule, or you are struggling with behavior problem solving, it would be wise to get the help of an experience dog trainer. Private lessons are a great option for designing and implementing a behavioral modification plan for problems like excessive barking, separation anxiety, and reactivity to people, places, and things. Working with a reputable NYC dog training school like AndreaArden.com  is critical for addressing difficult or problematic issues. In the event that you are already receiving complaints about your dogs behavior, being enrolled in training goes a long way in showing your buildings management and neighbors that you care and are working on solving the issue for all concerned.

It is important for the encouragement and continuation of dog friendly residences to make sure you are doing all you can to be thoughtful and courteous to the people around you. Dog owners need to recognize that it is really hard to hear your neighbors dog barking off and on all day long. The barking sound can not only be annoying; it can also be emotionally upsetting causing the listener to feel anxious and worried for the dog. If a person is scared of dogs, it is important for them to see that your dog is calm and well behaved in shared spaces, and that you give that person the room they need to feel safe. This may mean waiting for the next elevator or stepping aside to give your neighbors the right of way.

The building supervisor will quickly grow tired of and be less than supportive of having resident dogs if dog owners don’t clean up after their dogs and allow them to trample plants and flowers in the tree boxes or gardens (if you are fortunate enough to have those to enjoy).

Don’t assume everyone loves dogs, thinks yours is cute, and wants to say hi. Overly friendly and excitable behavior such as jumping, lunging, and barking can be extremely off putting to people on the go. City people pass by each other often with barely a glance. Teach your city dog to comfortably do the same. A friendly dog is a wonderful thing, but there is a time and place for everything.

In general, make sure you and your dog are good neighbors and good citizens.

Honesty IS the Best Policy

It really is not wise to hide the fact you have a dog in the hopes it will go unnoticed. Or perhaps the hope is that you and your dog will somehow be the exception to the the no dogs allowed rule. The risk of trying to live happily in a building that does not allow dogs (even a pocket chihuahua or yorkie) is too high. The worry of being discovered, along with the stress and expense of fighting to keep the dog and/or the apartment can be avoided by choosing to live in a complex that allows dogs.

Choose the Path of Least Resistance

There are some really pet friendly buildings in New York City and the surrounding area. It seems over the last decade or so more and more people are wanting to include dogs in their lives. Businesses are following the dog-friendly trend. Many new and renovated apartment complexes are not only allowing dogs, they are adding, including, and providing amenities for the soul purpose of attracting dog-owners to be tenants. Corporations have realized that catering to pet parents is a booming business. As a result, Some building are now offering features such as: 

• Designated grassy or dirt potty areas with clean up supplies
• Designated play areas (both indoors and out)
• Doggy daycares in the building
• Pet walking and sitting concierge

Whether you need or want these types of additional services, there existence insures an openness to a dog-friendly environment. Why go where you are not wanted when you can pick a place that is trying to attract dog owners and welcomes you and your dog with open hearts. Regardless of where you live, remember that it is unlikely that your dog will received the same unconditional love they have from you, from your neighbors. Be sure to train your dog. Andrea Arden Dog Training offers a wealth of services to help urban dog parents succeed in raising and training a wonderful canine companion. For more information, to register for class, or book private training go to www.AndreaArden.com. For invaluable advice and guidance on topics related to better living solutions with dogs in New York City be sure to visit the website for informative articles such as:

• Dog Friendly Transportation In New York City
• Dog Training Tips For Busy People
• Socialization Of a Puppy In The Big City 
• Best New York City Parks For Dog Training