When you are living in an apartment and want to get a pet, there are a few things to consider. Cats are quiet, but when it comes to dogs, you need to consider factors like exercise and barking, to begin with.
Now, pugs are a great choice not just because they are excellent companion dogs but also because they can live comfortably in a small space like an apartment. So, the simple answer to your question is yes, they do make for good apartment dogs.
Picking the Right Pug for Your Apartment
Pugs are also very friendly dogs and fit in well with nuclear families. They have an affable personality and generally like being around humans.
But you should know whether they fit your personality too. So, here are a few things to remember if you want to get a pug to fit your apartment lifestyle so that you and the dog are happy.
Picking the right pug for you is not about the color or gender of the pug, but the personality of the dog that tells you whether or not your dog can adapt to your apartment.
The physical traits of a pug are easy to find out and you can easily find this out with a quick Google search. But here are a couple of things to know.
Pugs usually come in black and fawn colors. The fawn-colored pugs have a double coat wherein the undercoat is soft and the overcoat is long. Meanwhile, most black pugs have a single coat.
This means that the black pugs don’t shed as much as the fawn-colored pugs because they don’t have as much fur. The fawn-colored pugs have two coats and as the undercoat grows, it leads the overcoat to shed.
But even the black-colored pugs shed a little and it is worth noting here that black fur is a lot easier to spot on light-colored furniture and carpeting. A male pug is also larger than a female pug which means the former will shed more than the latter simply because there is, well, more of them.
These are just a couple of things to keep in mind either before getting the decor or the dog.
Why Pugs Are Good Apartment Dogs
Most pugs like to cuddle or just stay close to their humans in any way possible. They get very attached to their humans too.
So, as long as you let them snuggle up next to you on the couch, they are likely to be content regardless of the size of the house. But that is not the only thing.
Pugs do not take up too much space, which makes them great for small homes. They also like to sleep quite a bit, about 14 hours a day and do not demand too much exercise, which works if you have a busy schedule.
Pugs can be trained not to bark too much, which means your neighbors won’t be annoyed that you have a dog. This is important in apartments.
This breed is also the non-aggressive kind, which means your dog will get along well with the neighbors when you do take them out. Their socializing skills will also come in handy if your neighbors have a pet.
Pugs don’t need much more than their bed space which makes them a great fit for apartments. They are also easy to potty train which means carpets and rugs will be safe if you take them to a neighbor’s house.
Their quality of life does not suffer because these are small dogs with limited needs. Let them climb on you whenever they feel the need for some attention and they will be happy and healthy.
And, of course, give them high-quality food with a little exercise because they are prone to obesity.
Unlike some of the active and large dogs, pugs do not demand to be taken out for a game of fetch. In fact, they are not big fans of the game which is another point in your favor.
Training and Exercise for Pugs
How Much Exercise Does My Pug Need?
If you didn’t know it already, this is one of the least active breeds you can find. They love to sleep so much that you might find yourself wondering if they are okay.
While it is normal for them to sleep for more than 12 hours a day, it is a good thing to keep tabs on how long they are sleeping because there is such a thing as too much.
But they are not great with lots of physical activity because they are brachycephalic which means they have problems with temperature control and breathing. So, don’t make them run around with you any more than you are supposed to, especially when it is hot and humid outside.
But give them the right kind of exercise and you will notice that this will tone their muscles and keep their knees and hips in good condition. As mentioned earlier, pugs are also prone to obesity so a little exercise will keep their weight in check and is also good for their heart.
A little bit of physical and mental stimulation is also generally good for them because it doesn’t make them irritable and force them to act out. Some indoor activities and short walks that together last about 40-60 minutes are actually just the right amount of playtime for a pug.
In fact, they will appreciate it greatly if you can break it into two 20-minute play sessions. This keeps them from exhaustion.
Do I Need to Train My Pug?
Now, about training.
They are known to be smart, but Pugs are not all that easy to train. This is because they are known to get distracted rather easily and even when they do pay attention, they can be quite stubborn.
So, you need to start the process while they are still a puppy and be patient and relentless, but gentle in your training methods. These toy breed dogs can cause quite a bit of trouble if they are not trained properly.
That means you should not fall for their puppy pug eyes and go easy while training them. The importance of obedience and good behavior cannot be overstated.
Ground rules include teaching them not to chew or bite stuff that is not food. You must also teach them not to play with their food as they are likely to do.
But in case you are in a situation where you have to train an adult pug, don’t worry. You just need to start right away so that you can send a message that they won’t be getting away with bad behavior.
But throughout the process, remember to be gentle while being firm and consistent with your instructions.
Can Pugs Be Left Alone During the Day?
One of the things most pet parents worry about is leaving their dog alone throughout the day. Pugs are the happiest when they get to spend as much time with their humans as possible.
This is not always possible and you might be concerned about separation anxiety if you leave them alone all day long. While those concerns are not misplaced, there are a few things you can do to help your situation.
You can get them smart toys that can dispense treats. This is a great way to distract them while you are not home.
Just make sure that the treats are healthy and don’t eventually lead to a weight gain problem.
And if it’s an option at all, you can also get another pet, which will keep your pug company while you are gone. Another dog or a cat as a second pet is not at all a bad idea to relieve some of the loneliness your pug might be feeling.
But getting along with the second pet is also something you will need to cover in your training sessions. You must also make sure that if you are getting a dog, both of them are trained separately.
This can be done by getting a second puppy after the first one matures and is done with its initial training. In that case, socializing is the only aspect to deal with as far as it concerns your pug.
As you might already anticipate, leave enough and more freshwater for your pug in a clean bowl when you are not around. And in any case, have a friend or family member as a backup for any kind of emergencies.
You can even hire a dog walker or a pet sitter to check on your pug a few times a week in case you don’t have anyone to do it for you for free.
Also Read: Can Pugs Swim?
Wrapping Up
Pugs are perfect for families and apartment lifestyles because they don’t need much more than attention. They like to sleep a lot and don’t want to go out or do too much physical exercise.
The best apartment dogs are the ones that don’t need too much exercise and can entertain themselves while you are at work. Areas that have a lot of apartments also tend to have parks or playgrounds so that pet parents have a place to take their canines.
So, there’s that too.
