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If you live in an apartment and are thinking of getting a dog, there are a few things you should consider before making the commitment to become a pet owner.

One of the first things to consider when deciding weather or not to have a dog while you live in an apartment is the added financial responsibility. Most apartment complexes where you rent your space will require a pet fee and deposit. A recent trend in apartment policies is to require both a pet deposit and a pet fee. The pet fee will be non-refundable and the pet deposit will be held and all or a portion of it may be returned to you if you leave your apartment in good condition. You may or may not have to pay both a fee and a deposit, so check with your management company. Be sure to read your lease agreement completely to find out if there are restrictions on breeds and what kind of fees you will be charged if you are caught with an unregistered pet living in your home. Keep in mind that you will be held financially responsible for any damage your pet does to your rented home.

Another thing that is important to figure out before you decide to bring a pet into your apartment home is how accessible your apartment is to approved outside spaces for your pet to potty. If you live in an urban area, the closest grassy area for pets may be a block or two from your apartment. If you live on the 6th floor in a building with no elevator, then you have to make it 2 blocks to the pet area, you may want to reconsider getting a puppy. Your new dog will need to be taken outside to do his or her business on a regular basis. It is a good idea to make sure the approved spaces for dogs to be walked is in a place that is convenient for you to get to. If it is inconvenient to take your dog out to use the bathroom, you will likely have a rough situation on your hands. Remember that if you have a new puppy he or she will need to be taken out extremely frequently while you are housebreaking them. Older dogs can learn to go longer between outside breaks, but when they are puppies, you must be able to take them out on a very regular basis, so it is important to make sure that you are able to get in and out in a hurry.

You will also want to make sure that you get a breed of dog that is suitable for your size of apartment and your lifestyle. If you are very athletic and active and go on regular runs in your local park, a bigger dog might be a great fit for you if you plan to take your pup with you while you exercise. If you are more of a homebody, make sure you research different breeds that do well with getting their exercise indoors and will not be restless or require long outdoor sessions to expel their extra energy.

Being a dog owner while living in an apartment is very doable as long as you make smart choices and thing things through before you adopt your new pet.