Can You Have A German Shepherd In An Apartment?

You live in an apartment and are considering bringing home a German Shepherd. Despite how active and large these dogs are, you may wonder if they are capable of living a happy life in your humble abode.

So, can you have a German Shepherd in an apartment? Yes, the German Shepherd can live in apartments as long as the owner is responsible and provides the dog with its basic needs. Many German Shepherds around the world thrive in apartments. However, keeping these dogs in an apartment without meeting these 5 needs can lead to destructive behavior.

That said, there are things to consider when deciding whether to bring a German Shepherd into an apartment. Keeping large, energetic dogs in small spaces comes down to management by the owner.

German shepherd in an apartment

The German Shepherd can live in an apartment if these five basic dog needs are met.

The first thing to consider is the apartment complex. Not all apartment buildings allow dogs, especially dogs of this size. Although an apartment may be “dog friendly”, it may have weight limits and age requirements.

For example, my grandfather’s apartment complex only allows dogs under 14kg. Similarly, my sister’s apartment only allows dogs that are at least one year old.

Even if your shepherd is a small puppy, he will eventually grow to adult size (in about a year). So be sure to check with the apartment owner or company before bringing a German Shepherd home.

Don’t be surprised if you find apartments that require other requirements, such as spaying or neutering your German Shepherd.

As ridiculous as it may sound, some apartment complexes will totally ban specific breeds that they consider dangerous and aggressive. These dogs include Pit Bulls, Chow Chows, Rottweilers, Dobermanns, and German Shepherds.

Often this prohibition is applied citywide, in accordance with breed-specific legislation. In this case, there is very little that can be done about it.

I personally think this is absurd because not all dogs are the same. The environment, along with training, plays a huge role in a dog’s aggressive tendencies.

Regardless of what you think, this is the reality of apartment complexes and it is something to consider. Telling them, “but my German Shepherd is not aggressive like the others” will probably not work well.

Be honest about your German Shepherd

A common mistake many homeowners make is being dishonest with the landlord. For example, the breed of a puppy is not always so obvious, especially for those who are not usually exposed to dogs.

Some dishonest owners may claim that their German Shepherd is a Labrador Retriever or Husky in order to overcome a breed-specific ban.

In the end, this can create a lot of problems for you, both legal and financial. Just take a moment and think about it. You will have to take your German Shepherd out all the time while living in an apartment.

That said, there is almost no way to fool your neighbors and the landlord when they have reached physical maturity. It is better to be honest than to live a lie.

Basic needs of a German shepherd in an apartment

The five basic needs for apartment living are: physical activity, mental stimulation, a dog crate, socialization, and obedience training.

As mentioned, German Shepherds have many basic needs that must be met if they are to live in an apartment.

Don’t expect to leave your dog at home all day and think it’s okay. Doing so will probably cause more problems in the end.

1. Physical exercise

German Shepherds are herding dogs with the mentality of a working dog. As such, they have a ton of excess energy that needs to be depleted on a daily basis.

The problem with the apartments is the lack of a large enclosed patio. Without it, it is going to be very difficult for them to exercise.

If you live in an apartment and are busy with work or other activities, then a German Shepherd is not suitable for you.

Daily activity not only keeps them physically healthy, but also mentally stable. In other words, the last thing you want is a bored German Shepherd.

A bored German Shepherd will likely display destructive behavior in the apartment while you are at work.

According to the American Kennel Club , these dogs need about 2 hours of exercise a day. Sound like a lot to you? Then you are probably better off with another breed.

Activities of a shepherd outside the apartments

There are tons of activities that would be perfect for when it’s time to take your German Shepherd out of the tight little apartment.

For example, hiking is a favorite among those with active lifestyles. Not only does this keep your German Shepherd’s exercise needs at bay, it can also help the owner (yes, we’re talking about you!).

If your apartment complex has a pool and allows dogs, then swimming is another great opportunity to exercise your dog. If not, find a nearby lake or large pond.

Swimming is especially good because it can put a lot more work on your dog than you. German Shepherds who love swimming will easily get a great workout in an hour of dog rowing.

Playing catch a ball or a Frisbee is a favorite with owners of all types of dogs. German Shepherds will love this and it requires much less effort on your part.

If you can train your dog to fetch the ball / frisbee every time, then all you need to do is throw! There are tons of other great ideas for exercise, you just have to put in the effort and time.

2. Mental stimulation

This is another important factor to consider if you plan to bring a German Shepherd into the apartment.

German Shepherds are some of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world. Smart dogs need a lot of mental stimulation and German Shepherds are no exception.

In addition to a couple of hours of physical exercise, I would suggest a daily obedience training or puzzles to stimulate their minds. Obedience training is great as these dogs are fantastic workers.

In fact, they thrive best when they have a “job” to do. Whether it’s herding or obedience training, they will accept the challenge. But be sure to bring lots of dog treats!

One of the best ways to provide mental stimulation is with dog puzzles. If you provide interesting and interactive puzzles for German Shepherds, they will be mentally busy for a good amount of time.

3. Suitable dog box

While you are in the apartment, there are a few things you absolutely need. One of the most important and possibly your biggest one-time purchase is a dog crate. But why do you need one?

Because you don’t have a large backyard, we assume your dog lives indoors (and hopefully not on your apartment balcony). So for dogs that live indoors, you need to educate them.

Dogs, by nature, don’t want to make a mess where they sleep (your apartment). Therefore, you will have to teach them to control their bladder and bowels.

Cage training is not cruel to your German Shepherd. Rather, there are a ton of great benefits that come from box training. For example, you can teach your dog to be comfortable in a confined space.

I’m not telling you to leave your dog in a cage and go to work for 8 hours. That would cause more anxiety and stress than necessary.

Make sure you don’t leave your German Shepherd in the crate for more than 6 hours at a time, especially if they are puppies.

4. Proper Obedience Training

We already know that obedience training is great for mental stimulation, which is absolutely necessary for large dogs living in small apartments. However, obedience training is crucial for another reason.

Shepherds will bark if they sense danger. When they are in close proximity to their neighbors, they can expect sounds to come from all directions at all hours of the day.

An untrained German Shepherd will likely bark at these sounds, causing problems with those around him. For this reason, it is very important that you teach your German Shepherd how to have “manners.”

If you are lucky enough to find a suitable apartment for your GSD, there is a good chance that the neighbors in your apartment also have dogs.

I’ve been in a situation where another dog is barking and it essentially triggers a chain reaction of barking from all the dogs in the complex. Also, my Corgi goes into a barking frenzy. Sound familiar?

The best way to avoid a “bark” is through obedience training. Keeping them in check by teaching them to “shut up” is good! Always use positive reinforcement with your German Shepherd. If you can, try not to yell at them.

If they start barking, you should ignore them. The moment they stop, give them high praise and even reward them with a gift. It takes a lot of patience, but it’s worth the effort in the long run.

5. Socialization

Living in a doggy apartment means there will be other dogs around, probably all the time. When it’s time to walk your German Shepherd, you may run into other dogs.

For this reason, it is important for your pastor to have great socialization right from the start. They need frequent exposure to other dogs and people to learn that they are “good” and not threatening.

German Shepherds are large dogs and without proper socialization, they can seriously injure and injure a smaller dog. You will want to avoid this at all costs.

Socialization can take place in many ways. While they are still young, take every opportunity to play with the dogs. If you don’t have friends with dogs, no problem!

You can take them to dog parks on the weekends to play with other dogs. Socializing at a young age makes them less intimidating to other dogs and people.

If you have money to spare, taking them to kennel is not a bad idea, especially when you’re at work.

This gives them more opportunities to exercise, but it also helps them to socialize. In kennels, your dog will be exposed to all kinds of dogs and people – it’s perfect!

Problems with the German shepherd in the apartments

Without meeting the basic needs of German Shepherds, they can cause a lot of problems when living in apartments.

If you don’t provide your German Shepherd with these basic needs while living in an apartment, you can be on a roller coaster ride. And, I’m not talking about the funny type.

The lack of mental and physical stimulation means that your German Shepherd will take delivery of these basic needs. Destructive behavior can occur without these basic needs.

This means that your favorite pair of shoes may be shredded by the time you get home. Or it could mean that your sofa will open up after a long and tiring day at work.

Neither of these scenarios is something you would want, but a lot happens with many neglectful apartment dwellers.

Living in an apartment with German Shepherds is not an easy task. However, they are quite capable of thriving in such a lively environment. It is up to you to provide them with a way to make the best of the situation.

Some owners say they are the best apartment dogs despite their temperament and size.

Are there any other tips for making apartment living work with a German Shepherd? Leave a tip in the comment section below to let us know!