Pet-Metro

So you live in the big city. You have a great job. Nice car. Pretty girlfriend. But every now and then, you miss home, long for family, shun the loneliness. You decide to kill two birds with one stone. Help out a caged dog by bringing him home, in the process, get yourself a pet that will love you unconditionally, and fill up that emotional void on your weary and lonely weeknights. Before you jump into the pet shop and sign up for Bruno, consider a few things about dog-care in the big metro! With you away at your bank job most of the time, you will be leaving behind your loving pet by itself, in your tiny suburban apartment!

Here are some top tips to keep in mind, before you go Pet-Metro…

CREATE A SAFE & LOVING ENVIRONMENT

Large Apartments…

The first thing to consciously consider is the apartment you live in. Dogs, especially medium and large ones, need a certain amount of space. They need to feel a sense of openness and outdoors. Ideally, your apartment would need to be ‘largish’, with ample (but safely fenced) balconies so Bruno is constantly entertained.

The Alternative…

However, unless you have cracked the Capital Markets or landed Partner at your law firm, chances are your flat won’t be too big. Worry not, there is an alternative. Try and ensure that your modest sized crib has floor-to-ceiling windows. These large and tall windows can provide a similar sense of space. Being able to look out into the open will keep him/her engaged.

Don’t Fancy A Floor…

Expensive and luxurious as your marble/granite floor may be, it is a big no-no from the pet’s point of view. Similarly, floorboards and carpeting that induce slipping are very avoidable. If you must have a ‘fancy floor’, don’t fancy a pet. Steer clear of these and your pet will be safe.

Noises Out…

This works both ways. Try and ensure that your apartment is adequately sound insulated. If there is too much outside sound filtering in (roads, vehicular traffic, neighbors’ noises, television etc), your dog will get antsy and this can manifest in barking, anger, and other unpleasant and avoidable symptoms. Likewise, the more audible your pet becomes, the more irritated the neighbors will get!

Easy Breezy…

Try and make sure that your apartment is airy and has enough ventilation. For obvious reasons, a boxed in pet will smell… You’d be much wiser to let your pet breathe fresh air, and in turn be able to have an  odor and germ-free home.

Proximity Matters…

You are already limiting a pet’s natural desire to roam freely. In this scenario, you must check that your apartment is close by to a dog-friendly park or walking trail. With your hectic schedule, it will bode well to be situated close to one of these. After all, how much can your pet stare out the windows. You will need to take him/her out into the open. In big cities, that’ll pose a problem, and only if you are close to a park, will you be able to meet your dog’s minimum outdoors requirements.

Friendliness Is A Must…

So your apartment might check all the right boxes. But if your apartment complex isn’t particularly dog-friendly, it can be quite damaging. Pets need love, care and acceptance. If they live in friendly surroundings, they stay happy. If your complex does not take too kindly to pets (and all the palaver that comes with them), not only will your pet sense this and be miserable, even you will be up to your wit’s end trying to negotiate the bad vibes from everyone around you!

Create A Fun & Engrossing Environment & Remove Isolation

You may be getting your pet in order to do away with your own loneliness blues. It would be selfish then to assume that your pet/dog will not feel the same isolation as you, through the 90% of the time you are away and he/she is alone in your apartment. It is vital therefore that you make your dog socialize. If you live with family, it is of course ideal. Members of the family that are home at varying times of the day are at hand to check on, feed, care for, and play with your pet. If however, like a lot of suburban young professionals, you too live alone; it is absolutely crucial that you have neighbors, close friends, and/or pet-sitters/walkers who can keep a routine check on your pet.

Tell tale signs of failing the above will be obvious and annoying. Unless you share a Doctor Dolittle relationship with your pet (and chances are you won’t), typical behavior arising from frustration will be destructive chewing (upholstery, curtains etc), incessant barking, constant whining. Not called for!

CREATE A HEALTHY ROUTINE

It is absolutely essential for the wellbeing of your pet (especially since he/she is already restricted by your pint-sized flat), that you chalk out a healthy and robust routine. On a daily basis, make sure that the basic needs of your pet are met. Of course, depending on your own routine, you will need to customize this routine and/or seek help from professional sitters. A typical daily schedule is as follows:

6am – Walk
8am – Breakfast
10am – Sleep
Noon – Lunch
1pm – Sleep
6pm – Walk
8pm – Dinner

This kind of a daily routine, if generously interspersed with regular visits to grooming salons, the Vet, playtime, and the occasional day-out; will ensure that your loving pet stays cheery, and his stellar behavior prevents the neighbors’ ire too!

WELL MANNERED PETS – ARE FUN TO BE AROUND

Presuming you’ve sorted out all of the aforementioned prerequisites, you get your pet. The job is far from over. You must crucially and properly, House-Break & Train your pet. In the case of dogs, basics to cover would be ‘potty training’ so they learn to ‘do their business’, if not outside, at least on-paper if inside the apartment. This training can be done either by you yourself, or if you can’t find the time, by a  trainer/sitter.

Reward the good behavior by giving your pet treats and you’ll see how quickly they become wise to whats ok and what’s not! Finally, a well mannered pet will be a pleasure not just for you, but for everyone to be around.

And Finally, The Leash…

Remember one basic thing. If you are getting a dog, its own safety, as well as of people around it; is solely your’s! In order to ensure this, not only must you always keep your dog on a leash, but also be in full control of the it.

From the dog’s point of view, this will prevent it from suddenly charging on to the road, onto traffic, and avoid other potentially disastrous situations. By that same token, for children, elderly people and others around, it will augur well for your pet not to pounce onto them suddenly. While the pet in all likelihood is doing so in all innocence and excitement, it can often frazzle the person and lead to accidents. A leashed pet then, is a safe pet.

Go Shopping…

If you are still not dissuaded by all this information, and continue to be excited at the prospect of getting a pet; you ought to have one. For the animals’ sake and for your’s, I hope you are still enthusiastic… all I can now say is, happy shopping…

[Kartik Bajoria, a regular contributor, runs his own creative agency called BOLD & is also involved in Films & Music as a force of habit!]

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