I have often thought of getting a dog, but I live in a flat without a garden, so have always thought it would be unfair to keep one. However, it doesn't stop me thinking it would be nice to have a little canine friend!

Does anyone out there have a dog and keep it in a flat? Does it work? Is it okay to keep a dog and leave it on its own for 9 hours a day whilst I'm at work? Would someone like the Dog's Trust let someone in my position rehome an older dog?

Sorry if this has been discussed elsewhere. I did have a look back a few pages, but couldn't see anything.

You would have to take them out four or five times a day for walks so they could do their business.

If you can do that then I say go for it.

Maybe a small dog to medium dog

My daughter has a jack russel and she lives in a first floor maisonette.

My dog doesn't do No.2's in the garden so he has to be walked 3 times a day. He may as well live in a flat.

I have two dogs and live in a ground floor flat with no direct access to a garden. We HAVE to go out 4-5 times a day whatever the weather, and if I am ill, have a headache, or just don't feel up to it then it's tough, I still have to go. The upside is the dogs are well socialised and well exercised. It's hard at times but perfectly doable. I'm in central Edinburgh, where flats are more commonplace than houses, and many people have dogs. You just have to be committed, which you should be anyway. One of my dogs is a recent rescue too, that at 13 years old has completely adjusted to the routine and dispels the myth that all rescues won't rehome to flats. HTH.

Thanks all.

I would be able to commit to taking a dog out to do its business a few times a day and will definitely be looking into this more seriously.

It is definitely possible to have a healthy, happy flat-living dog if you have the time and motivation to care for its needs properly.

I live in a flat and have a 15 year old dog you manages just fine, and we live on the first floor. It's a big flat though, and we do have a large garden - even though there's no direct access. To be honest, taking my dog out is such a long-standing habit that I don't think or worry about it. It's just what we do

I'd be more worried about leaving a dogalone for nine hours each day though. That seems far too long. Older dogs are easier in lots of ways but they can need toileting more often as they get old - just like people.

I'm out 9 hours a day and my dog is fine. (I did get someone to pop in at lunch time when she was a pup).
I have a garden but she doesn't make much use of it other than for a pee.

She is 10 this year and very contented.

Obviously leaving her 9 hours in the week, I repay her by spending most of (if not all) the weekend with her. Usually 2 decent walkies / play and then tea time she drags me to the local to see all of her friends.

If I go without her I get told off!

I doubt any of the animal charities will let you have one in your circumstances though. It seems some of them would rather see a dog pts than let it go to a caring home without a garden and round the clock humans.

I couldn't get one, so I bought one, when I would much rather have "rescued" one.

(Obviously I wouldn't be without her now).

We have always had dogs in flats never been a problem, if you have no lift it keeps you fit up and down the stairs several times a day, as one of mine is now not able to always make it outside we have a towels system, like puppy pads but washable, so she can have a wee in the night without needing to go out.

We have a dog and live in a flat with no garden (ground floor) As long as you're committed to the fact you will have to take them out several times a day no matter what the weather, or how you feel, then I really don't see it as a problem. I know people with gardens whose dogs never actually see beyond the garden whereas I simply can't get lazy unless I want him turning my flat into a toilet.
Ours is sometimes left for 7-8 hours and on those days we have a dog walker come in half way through to take him for a stroll and give him a little company.

How would you if you aren't going to be there for 9hrs a day?

I work 2 days a week and we have a dogwalker for an hours lunchtime walk on those days. I personally wouldn't leave my dogs for 9 hours a day, every day.

I would never have a dog on the basis of leaving it all day for most days of the week.

I often wonder how people would like to be shut in a house/flat/room for 8,9 or10 hours on their own all day all week, when they seem quite happy to subject the poor dog to just that.

From what you've told us I don't think it's a good idea that you should get a dog.

Get a canary or a goldfish. Or a hamster.

Thanks for your replies.

How much does a dog walker cost?

Living in a flat is totally irrelevant. Dont get a dog if you are leaving it inside on its own all day, thats the main issue.

^^^ what she said. I cannot believe how selfish people can be thinking its ok to leave a dog alone all day. Get a fish.

Ha ha! Right, no dog for me! I think I'll buy some new plants instead.

Extermination is better than loneliness then, in your book?

(Even if a dog understood the concept of lonely).

Mine has 2 cats and occasionally the postie for company, Mon-Fri 8 - 5.

She has the full run of the house and is very contented. She knows that when the "pack leader" is away, she is safe in "the den".

People that don't know about dogs, shouldn't give advice about them.

CRTHD - What makes you think that people on here giving advice about dogs know nothing about them?

I can only speak for myself and not others, but I have had dogs for over thirty years and just voiced an opinion based on my experience, no more than that.