Are Dachshunds Good Apartment Dogs (What You Need To Know)?

Have you considered getting a Dachshund but don’t know if they are a good fit for your apartment?

Maybe you want a dog but don’t know if it’s appropriate with your apartment? Or are you curious and want to know more?

Whatever question brought you here today, we have the answers you need!

For many of us, a dog is a wonderful companion that brightens our day and gives us someone to come home to.

But making sure that our home is suitable for a dog can be challenging, especially if we live in an apartment or don’t have access to a garden.

So we find ourselves wondering if some dogs are more suited to apartments than others.

We start searching but struggle to find the answers that we need. We quickly find ourselves deflated, unsure what to do, or where to turn.

Well, no more! Today we are here with the answers that you need. Just keep reading to find out if Dachshunds are a good dog for apartments or not!

Are Dachshunds Good Apartment Dogs?

Let’s get straight into it! Yes, Dachshunds are the ideal dog for an apartment!

These small dogs don’t need much space making them a wonderful addition to your apartment.

Dachshunds don’t need much space when it comes to playing, eating, or sleeping, so even if you have a small apartment, it shouldn’t feel too cramped for you and a dog!

These dogs don’t tend to mind living in a smaller space, especially if it’s the only home they have had.

Dachshunds are a popular dog for apartments or small homes due to their small size and low maintenance.

It is not uncommon to see many city livers walking Dachshunds or living with them in their apartments.

While Dachshunds are excellent dogs for apartments, you should consider the downside of having a dog in an apartment.

Not only will it not offer much space for them to run and play, but these dogs like to bark!

Lots of barking can be disruptive for your neighbors, especially if you will be out a lot during the day.

It’s best to carefully consider your lifestyle to see whether you have the time to dedicate to training a new dog.

For those that work from home or part-time, you are likely to be at home more and can spend time bonding with the dog or training them to be left alone for longer periods.

There are also plenty of training programs available across the country to help you train your Dachshund to bark less.

However, if something startles them and you are at work all day, there is no guarantee that they won’t be barking all day and irritating your neighbors.

Consider the noise levels and the added time it will take to train your dog before deciding if this is the right time for you to get a Dachshund.

Now that we have established that a Dachshund is a good apartment dog, let’s move on and look at some things you need to consider when you decide to get a Dachshund for your apartment.

What To Consider Before Having A Dachshund In Your Apartment

There are a few factors you need to consider before adopting or buying a Dachshund and moving them into your apartment.

Let’s take a look at these now to help you through the decision-making process.

Check You Are Allowed Pets

The first thing you need to know is whether you are allowed pets in your apartment or not.

If you rent your apartment, first contact your landlord or check your lease agreement.

The agreement will usually have a section on pets and tell you clearly whether pets are allowed or not.

In some cases, this is at the discretion of the landlord, so drop them a message to ask if they would allow pets in your apartment.

It’s worth reassuring them that the dog will be toilet trained, and is unlikely to damage their property.

Some apartment buildings come with size requirements for pets. The good news is Dachshunds are small dogs, so are likely to be fine!

You might also need to pay an additional deposit for your pet. Again, this information will be listed in your lease, so be sure to give it a read-over.

If you own the apartment, you will still need to check with the building owner whether pets are allowed or not.

There tends to be more flexibility here, but you could still be required to pay a deposit or fill out an application form for your Dachshund to be allowed to live in your apartment.

Toilet Training

Whether your dog is adopted as a puppy or a rescue when they are older, you will need to toilet train them.

For puppies, you might want to place puppy pee pads in your apartment, moving them closer to the door until your dog is fully trained.

If you need to leave your Dachshund alone for a long period, it might be worth putting one of these in your bathroom or non-carpeted area so that your dog does not have an accident while you are out.

If you have a balcony you could purchase a dog litter box. These often feature a patch of synthetic grass sitting on top of a tray that holds litter.

Your dog can go to the toilet just like they would outside without you needing to use the elevator or climb down multiple flights of stairs before they can relieve themselves.

Depending on what floor your apartment is on, it might be too far for your little dog to go before they can relieve themselves, leading to accidents in the hallway which never go down well with your neighbors!

Carefully consider how appropriate your apartment is for training your Dachshund before bringing one into your home.

Exercise

Although Dachshunds are small dogs they still need plenty of exercise.

They should have enough space in your apartment for lots of playtime with you and toys, but consider the location of your apartment.

Are you near any dog parks or open spaces for them to run around?

Do some research before bringing your Dachshund home to make sure there are places they can go for fresh air.

If your apartment has a balcony then your dog can use this to get some exercise in.

You will want to make sure that it is safe for them and that there is no chance they could fall or slip between any gaps.

You might also need to remove any dangerous objects from the balcony.

If your apartment building comes with any shared or communal gardens, check what the policy is for having dogs there.

Some buildings require you to keep dogs on a leash in these areas, whereas others will have a designated space for dogs to run without a leash.

If your dog needs to be kept on a leash, consider purchasing an extendable leash that will allow your Dachshund to still run and get some exercise.

Barking And Noise

As we mentioned earlier, Dachshunds like to bark!

This can cause issues with your neighbors and could lead to noise complaints or further action.

It can also be quite distressing for your dog to be barking for long periods.

We recommend training programs for your dog, but also limiting things that your dog could bark at during the day and evening.

You can use the following list for some ways to help reduce barking:

  • Block the view to any windows
  • Provide them with puzzle toys and treats to keep them distracted
  • Ensure they have had a walk before leaving them alone
  • Provide lots of blankets for your dog to dig and play with
  • Keep the TV or radio on a low volume to provide them with some company
  • A crate creates a safe space for them to stay in, reducing the amount of barking

You will also want to consider how noisy your apartment and building are.

Is there a lot of traffic passing that could startle your Dachshund?

They might not be used to the level of noise and it could take them a while to feel settled in their new home.

When you first bring your Dachshund home, we recommend that you are there with them for the first few days to help them settle.

Having you there to reassure them that they are safe can help them settle quickly and make any new or loud noises less scary.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it, Dachshunds are a good apartment dog!

You will need to make sure that they have space to roam and access to plenty of exercise to keep them happy, but otherwise, there is very little to worry about when bringing a Dachshund into your apartment.