Dog-Proofing Your Apartment & Other Tips for Renting with Dogs

Thinking of bringing a new puppy home or moving you and your dog to a new apartment? You may need to do some pet-proofing.

Dogs may be man’s best friend — but they’re not always so compatible with apartment rentals. It can take a little work to find a pet-friendly apartment, but once you do, there’s a few extra steps you should take to ensure that you’ll keep the place clean while keeping your furry friend happy and comfortable (especially if you want to get your security deposit back).

“One of the best ways to ensure your dog and you stay sane in an apartment is through the use of mental exercise and enrichment,” says Devin Stagg, host of The Perfect Pup podcast, New York City renter, and owner of two large Labrador retrievers.

We spoke with Stagg and other dog owners and experts to get their tips for keeping your dog stimulated, keeping them safe, and keeping your apartment clean. Read on for our guide on dog-proofing your apartment and other tips for renting with dogs of all ages.

Stagg swears by mental stimulation when it comes to taking care of dogs inside. While exercise outside is necessary for a dog’s health, playing with your dog inside can also help ensure your dog doesn’t get bored and start destroying your furniture, or potentially hurt themselves or others with an intense bout of the zoomies.

A few products he recommends are:

If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, you can make your own food puzzles for your dog to enjoy.

“Fill up a few small cardboard boxes, such as empty egg or cereal boxes, with treats for your dog to work at extracting. Another trick is to spread cream cheese or peanut butter (make sure it's xylitol-free) on the inside of a pizza box and have your dog work on that for a while,” says Susan Nilson, a cat and dog training and behavior expert.

“Dogs have a powerful sense of smell and love to forage, sniff and seek things out. Research shows that sniffing lowers blood pressure and heart rate, so is a great way for your dog to calm down naturally while engaging in a hugely rewarding activity.”

If you have any outdoor space, you can consider buying or building your dog a digging pit. Zack Keithy, a former vet technician and owner of the blog Daily Dog Drama, recommends this sandbox-like distraction as well as some digging toys to help your dog use up their energy when you don’t have the opportunity to take them on a walk or to a park.

A washable snuffle pad can be a great way to keep your dogs mentally stimulated indoors.

It’s no secret that dogs aren’t always the neatest pets. As a pet owner, you must learn to embrace a little bit of mess — but with the right strategies, you can make sure your apartment stays as clean as possible. Plus, with a little bit of dog-proofing, you can reduce the risk of your dog knocking over anything that can potentially hurt themselves or others.

A few steps you should take when dog-proofing are:

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For more information on renting with dogs, pet policies, pet deposits, and more, read our guide on finding pet-friendly properties.