Downgrading from House to Apt
 

Hey all! Fall of this year I'll be headed back to the States, to the DC area!

On one hand I'm happy to be getting back to the "homeland" but on the other, yikes! DC! traffic, angry people, and tiny apartments!

Currently I'm living in a one bedroom guesthouse with a huge yard for Rizzo to run and chase things in. After checking my housing allowance rates against housing costs in the area that allow pets, looks like I'll be moving to a tiny studio or 1 bedroom apartment :(

I'll have to try to find a place near an off leash park area so Rizzo can have his running free time, but if I cant, how can I make sure he's still getting enough exercise? Will 2 long walks a day(am/pm), plus walks for potty purposes do? Plus the inside play time?

Rizzo is indoor/outdoor trained so he has access to potty pads while inside, but they won't be supplementing going outside to go potty.

Has anyone gone from having a huge yard to none? any tips?

Plus any information about the DC area would be great to have, such as groomers, vets, dog walkers, parks, and places that allow doggies. I've been doing some research, just started this weekend. I'm thinking about living on the VA side in/around Alexandria but haven't decided for sure yet. I want to live near a public transportation stop, I don't plan on dealing with the traffic woes every day of the week, I'd rather be able to take a couple metros and maybe a bus to get to/from home everyday instead.

Thanks in advance for any help!

It sounds like you have him trained for variable situations, so you'll probably be just fine with two or three walks a day. I would hate going from a house to an apt, but you've got him dually-trained and it should work out ok.:)

DC Metro System is pretty darn good. I agree, live on the Va Side. Will you be at the Pentagon?

2 walks a day and playtime at nioght with you should be just fine. Sorry, I have no vet info there, but sure others will pipe in. Maje sure you get down to Triangle and visit the Marine Corps Museum.

I'll be at Andrews, not the Pentagon, but I'll definitely check out that Marine Corps Museum.

It does suck going from a house to apt, there are so many things about apts I dislike. I hope Rizzo won't get me any noise complaints as we get used to apt noises.

There's SO many dog friendly things to do around here (DC/Annapolis/Baltimore) area. Actually, the Congressional Cemetery has a huge dog park where dogs are allowed to be off leash. I've yet to go there but have been wanting to visit - it looks so neat!
Congressional Cemetery & Dog Park Welcome | Congressionial Cemetery Dog Site

A doggy daycare and indoor dog park:
http://littlerascalsdogpark.com

Here's a list of dog parks in Maryland (I frequent 3 of them):
Maryland | Dog Goes

I don't really have any groomer or vet recommendations in that area, as I am in Annapolis more so, but I'd love to try and help if you need me :) I went into DC a few weeks ago and saw dogs all over the place, another place I've been really wanting to take Jackson into the city, as I never have yet. All the memorials, etc, dogs are always walking around on leash. They just can't go into the water and stuff in the WWII memorial.

He will adapt and be just fine. Will you have a POV? (Car). Imagine all the nice drives down the Blue Ridge Mountains, dinner in Fredericksburg, all the Civil War sites to visit, and the museums etc in DC. I have to get back out there sometime.

I feel for you. The downsizing is not pleasant. A number of years ago I left a house on an acre to move to a townhouse for a job. The stuff I ended up getting rid of to fit!! My little one was not as active as your little one sounds, so she did not mind much, but mommy certainly missed the yard!

I do have a car, I just don't want to deal with the weekday traffic. I'm sure I'll find a ton to do there, the benefit of it being such a huge city.

Thanks! very valuable information for me. I'll probably have some questions for you later! :D

I went from a HUGE yard to a small yard. Lucy could care less = but my Westie needs room to run. I try to make it up to him by making good use of all the walking/hiking/biking trails that run through our new city.

I hired a dogwalker when we first moved here but now I find I usually have the time.

My next move will be to a Condo - so I'll be in the same boat!

Deuce when one of my friends moved to D>C> she used Google earth to actually "look" at different areas, when she was looking at apt rentals.
Maybe you will be able to find a street level flat in D>C>

Maybe, it would be really nice to find a street level flat, condo, anything, but for my price range and my (limited) requirements it's difficult finding much of anything.
I found one really promising apt complex, I liked the set up and that it was near a metro stop and that it allowed pets...then I looked closer at the pet policy and it only allows cats.

I will definitely be using google earth though, thanks for reminding me of that powerful tool! lol! it'll make it easier to layout the areas :)

I live in a apt with my 2 girls. One important thingto look for in a Apt that you may move into is a door that has a screen door too. It helps keep your dogs safe when opening your door. They can't run out. Teach them now if they do not so already know yet, is the stay command. Before opening your door. If their is no balcony , which I have, my two can go outside with me. They never once tried to go down the stairs, and i am always with them too.
Even some apts, have a small patio or balcony depending on what floor you are on. Just look for safety issues when finding a apt. Sometimes, managers allow dogs, but want an extra deposit on them. They will have breed restrictions too. But , that is mainly to keep the larger more aggressive breeds out.
I know that in the bigger cities they are more dog friendly too. I like the Google earth idea . You ougght to move around in there to find apt. especially the dog friendly ones.
Best of luck in your move with your dog. It will work out, and your dog will adjust easily as long as you can. :)

Rizzo knows the "wait" command so I don't think I'll have to worry about him bolting out the door. I have noticed was many places have non refundable pet deposits, why if my pets don't cause any damage can I not get my $300+ back?

Good luck with your move..

RileyDC lives there:D I'll tell her about your thread, hopefully she'll be able to give you some local info:)

Hey There!! I'm right in the Middle of the City.
I'll PM you, tomorrow with a list of things, in and around the area, tomorrow.
:D

chester and I live in 500 sq feet and he does his short walks and inside play time and course he is almost 9 years old too, they are pretty adaptable

Levi and I moved from a house with a huge, fenced-in backyard to a third-floor apartment. He adjusted fine and is just as happy in our apartment as he was in the house.

Levi is both outdoor and pad-trained as well, but we still try to take him out every four hours. He prefers to go outside, and I like for him to get walks and fresh air. We go to off-leash dog parks, visit friends with fenced-in yards, and play lots of fetch down our longest hallway. My brother's bigger dog lives with us as well, and he and Levi play and run and wrestle all day long. He gets constant exercise; it's just not as mindless as letting him play in a fenced yard all day.

I feel your pain on the non-refundable pet deposits. :mad:

Yeah, I will miss the opening the door in the morning and watching him do his zoomies while I eat my breakfast. But as long as he's happy.

I've been looking around at things to do in DC, the list goes on and on, I really think I'm going to like it there :)

One day I can be in the city, the next at the ocean, another at the lake, and I can even go hiking still! It's going to be fun...I hope. The job on the other hand, lol...

Ya know, it's funny... I am always talking about wanting to move, etc, and then I sit back and I do take for granted all the great things we have to do around here. What's sad is I went into DC for the first time in, like, forever a few weeks ago and it's SO close to me. I don't even hardly go into downtown Annapolis, lol. I fail. :p

Oh dear, Tikka came to us from a house with a big fences yard, unfortunately we are in an apartment, so BIG change for her! We take at least one long walk a day, and one shorter walk. I also am allowed a yard line right outside of my window so I put her out on that to go potty and have some fresh air... I wouldn't do that in DC though too many people/theifs!

But yeah as far as exersise def. at least two good walks and/or a good stint at the dog park should be good enough, Tikka is usually worn out by bed time... but I found out that if we miss any play/walk time she will be up until 4am!! Good luck with that.

Let me know how the pottying goes... Tikka wouldn't go on a leash when she came to us because she was used to have a yard to roam :/ we're getting better though!