After a long day at work, it’s nice to come home to a furry friend who’s ready to greet you as soon as you walk through the door. But if you yearn for urban living, you may wonder how people manage to work and handle a dog (or two!) in their city apartments.

Truthfully, it’s much easier than you think. As long as you take the right steps, city living and dogs are really a match made in heaven. I’ve lived in Docklands for almost 9 years now with my toy poodle, Milli and we’ve loved every minute of it!

Find a suitable breed
Believe it or not, size matters less than activity and bark level. That’s why having a Great Dane in a studio apartment may seem odd, but it’s really a smart choice given that they’re a touch lazy but oh-so lovable. High-energy dogs just don’t work in the city unless you have a ton of space for them to run around and are willing to walk and exercise them a couple of hours a day.

Exercise them often
Dogs are a big commitment. In fact, the main rule for keeping pups happy and healthy is to make sure they get regular exercise– and by regular, we mean several times daily. While living in an apartment, your dog is somewhat confined. He or she isn’t going to have a lot of room to run around, let out energy or play. At the very least, dogs should get a bit of exercise twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. If you can take them jogging, running, or to the dog park, that’s even better.

House rules
Allowing your dog on the furniture is a personal preference, but if you decide to go that route there are things you should keep in mind. Like the fact that muddy paws and white sofas just don’t mix. Pick pet-friendly furniture that’s easy to clean, whether it’s microfiber or something with a removable slipcover you can throw in the wash. As long as your pieces are easy to clean and maintain, letting your dog lounge in luxury won’t be a big deal.

Find a pup to play with
We love that Docklands is filled with tons of pet-friendly apartments. If you go for a walk around Docklands, you’ll see for yourself all the pet owners on their daily walks. We’ve made so many great friends while taking Milli on walks and it’s been a great way to connect and socialise with our neighbours. It has created a great sense of community for us!