Puggles make fantastic dogs for all kinds of homes. Their manageable size and simple grooming needs make them low-maintenance companions, while their friendly nature means they’re good with children and other pets (including other dogs).
When looking for the ideal dog to suit your lifestyle, these are all critical considerations. You also need to be thinking about your living space – can your puggle live in an apartment, do they need a big garden to run around in, will they disturb your neighbors?
This post will guide you through everything you need to know about keeping your puggle in an apartment.
Are Puggles Good Apartment Dogs? Yes, they are. Puggles do not require a vast amount of space or exercise; therefore, they are well-suited to many living spaces, including apartments.
Ideally, you would also have a garden or yard space for them to run around in, but it isn’t a deal-breaker if this isn’t possible. Instead, you could take them to dog parks or on long walks where they have a chance to use up their energy.
Puggles have a pug and beagle heritage – if they inherit more pug traits, they will be lazier. If they inherit more beagle traits, they will be more energetic.
However, even a puggle with higher-than-average energy levels will do just fine in an apartment setting.
As long as they have their daily walks and time to play, they will spend the rest of their day feeling relaxed enough to settle down in their favorite spot.
Tips for Keeping a Puggle in an Apartment
When keeping your puggle in a smaller, enclosed space, you will want to ensure they are kept entertained. Give them plenty of toys to chew and play with – perhaps not the loud, squeaky kind if you’re going to be sympathetic to your neighbors.
Though puggles tend to chill out when not out on their daily walks, if they decide they want some extra playtime, it’s best to be prepared.
Living in an apartment will also mean they will be surrounded by noise, such as your neighbors or the outside urban world.
It will take some time and patience to desensitize your puggle to different sounds, but it can be done.
If the noise seems to frighten your puggle or stress them out, make sure to provide them with comfort and a calming atmosphere.
In some cases, outside noise can trigger a barking episode from puggles.
You can work on desensitization by recording the noise onto your phone, then playing it back to your dog multiple times. When they finally remain quiet after hearing the noise, be sure to reward them with treats, affection, or a toy.
This will help form a positive habit while also reducing their stress levels.
You could also consider buying a white noise machine, as it will block out unfamiliar sounds while also providing a more serene environment.
If you’d like to read more about puggles’ barking habits, you can do so with this blog post.
Puggle-Proofing an Apartment
Puggle-proofing an apartment keeps both your dog and your home safe from harm.
If you’re renting, you may also be concerned about any potential damage that could mean losing your security deposit.
Luckily, there are plenty of tips out there from owners who have kept their dogs and apartments in harmony.
If your apartment has hardwood floors, it’s a good idea to put pads or mats down to prevent them from getting scratched up.
If you have space, you could try and keep your puggle within a well-padded or carpeted area to minimize scratches.
If you’d like to section off the areas your puggle is and isn’t allowed, baby gates are an effective solution. You can install these without making permanent alterations to the doorframes, making them a viable option even for strict renting rules.
With any living space, you need to take precautions against your puggle’s investigative nature. Never leave any food out when you’re not around, even if you think it’s out of reach on the counter.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially with foods that are toxic to dogs.
Similarly, take care to put cables out of reach when you’re not around.
It only takes one curious chew to potentially cause serious harm.
You can purchase anti-chew spray specifically for dogs, which deters them from chewing cables (and pretty much anything else) by making them taste terrible.
Can I Leave my Puggle Alone during the Day?
As dogs go, the puggle is a very adaptable breed.
They can thrive in a range of environments and situations. That being said, they can struggle with separation anxiety if left alone for an extended period.
Dogs are pack animals and form a close social bond with their owners, so they will eventually become upset if they’re not around. This could result in them becoming stressed or more vocal as they wait for your return.
It is possible to work with your puggle to get them used to being alone for long periods, but with all things, it will take patience, repetition, and a lot of treats.
While they’re alone, it’s also a good idea to keep them in one smaller, safe area of the apartment – again, baby gates will come in handy here.
If you’re adopting your puggle as a puppy, it’s good to get them used to being alone early slowly, so it won’t come as a distressing shock to the system when you disappear for the first time.
With this process, starting small is key.
Find the spot in your apartment where your puggle will spend their alone time before getting your puggle to settle down in their bed. Remain nearby, rewarding them with treats as they stay there quietly.
When you feel ready, gradually move away from your puppy. This will likely involve teaching them the ‘stay’ command. Again, reward them with treats when they do as they are told.
Keep building on the distance and length of time your puggle is left alone.
Try leaving them alone while you stay in a separate apartment area; if this is successful, you can begin leaving them completely alone in your home for a short while.
You are then free to make progress towards leaving them for longer, for example, while you are at work.
As a general rule of thumb, adult dogs shouldn’t be left alone for more than 8 to 10 hours, as this can trigger separation anxiety even when used to being on their own.
You also need to consider your dog’s bathroom needs – if they don’t have a place to relieve themselves, don’t leave them alone for longer than their usual amount of time between toilet breaks.
Can Puggles be House-Trained?
Yes, puggles can be house-trained.
They are an intelligent breed but can sometimes have a stubborn nature when it comes to training.
You can use the same technique as you would with other dogs; you may need to be prepared to spend a little extra time on forming each new habit.
If you have an apartment that does not include an outside space, such as a yard, you will need to find a suitable ‘bathroom’ area for your puggle to use.
By encouraging and rewarding your puggle when they use this spot, they will quickly catch that it is the designated area to do their business.
Once your puggle knows that they should only go to the bathroom outside, they will develop a way to signal to you that they need to use it. This will likely take the form of pacing, pawing, or barking at the door.
Can Puggles be Crate-Trained?
Yes, puggles can be crate-trained.
Again, a gradual introduction is critical, with plenty of rewards when they stay calm and quiet. Often, dogs will quite enjoy having a ‘den’ of their own.
Their crate should be large enough for them to stand up and turn around, but without too much excess space.
Be sure to provide your puggle with water as well. As for location, a crate should be placed away from draughts or direct sunlight, or anywhere it will become too hot or too cold.
A crate shouldn’t be a punishment or negative ‘time out’ zone – on the contrary, it should be a relaxed, safe spot where your puggle is content to spend time.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dog that will fit your apartment lifestyle, a puggle could suit you very well.
As long as they get enough exercise and entertainment, their size and relaxed disposition mean they are quite happy living in a smaller space. A lack of a garden or yard can be made up with visits to dog parks where they can run around and tire themselves out before returning home and winding down. It is also possible to desensitize them to surrounding noise and discourage them from their vocal habits.
Overall, they make great apartment-dwelling companions.
More info on Puggles
- Can Puggles Swim?
- How Much Do Puggles Sleep?
- Why Are Puggles So Needy?
- Are Puggles Good With Cats?
- Are Puggles Good Family Dogs?
- Are Puggles Lazy?
- How Much Do Puggles Cost in 2021? [Complete Price Guide]
- How Big Do Puggles Get?
Sources
https://akc.org/expert-advice/training/leaving-puppy-alone/ https://dogster.com/lifestyle/puggle https://petplace.com/article/dogs/breeds/dog-breeds/all-about-the-puggle/ https://pets.thenest.com/housebreak-puggle-3543.html https://rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/training/leftalone
