Do you live in an apartment? Then you need to read this because apartment living with a chihuahua and still keeping the peace with your neighbors isn’t easy. They can make great little apartment dwellers, if you know these tips.

It’s Time To Potty

What to do when apartment living with a chihuahua and they need to go potty. Several years ago we lived in an apartment for 3 months while my husband was having some medical treatment.

The toughest part for me was that our apartment was on the fourth floor. There was an elevator, but it was waaaaay down the hall. The stairs were closer, so I went up and down those stairs 4 or 5 times a day!

Yes, I know, it was good exercise, but there were many times when I had to drop what I was doing at a very inconvenient time to take them out, not to mention during inclement weather, or if it was dark outside. Thank goodness it was only for 3 months!

If you are moving to an apartment, my advice is to try to get an apartment on the first floor close to the outside door or exit.

If you can’t go outside a great alternative that I wish I had known about then, is you can bring the outside in. My dogs are spoiled, I guess, they will NOT potty on anything but grass. Not on concrete, hard surfaces, rocks, or mulch. But if your dog is that way now you can bring in real grass.

Oh how I wish there had been such a thing when I was living in the apartment! Now there are several options on the market. The one below is my favorite for many reasons. Including:

It is the winner of major pet awards – including Dr. Marty Becker’s (“America’s Veterinarian” from Good Morning America) 2014 Best Products and 2013 “Editor’s Choice” by Pet Product News – and featured in popular pet magazines, 

1. It has a splash guard on the side to protect your furniture and floors (sold separately). If you have a male Chihuahua it’s a must!
2. Immediate drainage with porous grass mat and grooves to keep paws dry. Once the reservoir is full, simply use the attached quick-drain spout to empty it for convenient and mess-free disposal.
3. Includes Bio+ Treatment to eliminate odors while keeping it clean. Imitation grass mat is machine washable.

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise

Keeping your dog stimulated physically and mentally on a daily basis is also a must. Bored and under-stimulated Chihuahuas can be destructive Chihuahuas. Find a dog park near you. Interactive toys and puzzles can keep their minds busy too.

Prevention is Always The Key

Make sure there is nothing within your Chihuahua’s reach that you don’t want to be destroyed. Put valuables away.

Chihuahuas actually make very good apartment dogs. They need to get plenty of exercise, but not the long and strenuous kind of exercise some dogs need. No need to take these little guys on a long hike.

The Problem of Barking

It’s part of the job of being a Chihuahua – barking a warning. The problem happens when he or she barks not only at a stranger coming up the driveway, or a new dog in the neighborhood but when he or she barks at a wrapper from a trash can as it blows past your door.

You don’t want to discourage him or her from being the awesome little watchdogs they are meant to be, but you need to teach them “enough”. If you teach them when it is “enough” barking, then they won’t bark all day at every little thing they hear while you are gone.

Home Alone

Finally, if you are going to be gone for long periods of time (never leave your dog alone more than 8-10 hours – and 10 is stretching it), hire a dog walker to come and walk him and keep him company for a little while during that time.

If at all possible, get another dog. Dogs are social and having a companion while you are away may help him feel less lonely.

These are just a few helpful ways to live stress free in an apartment with a Chihuahua

Don’t miss: Stop that incessant barking!