Are you living in a city with your new puppy? There are different challenges and factors involved in pet parenting when in a city that don’t exist in a suburban area. We talked with Brittney Lenhart, Dog Walker for Manhattan Pet Nanny about her top tips for being a pet parent in a big city and setting your dog up for success.
What is important to know about having a dog in the city?
Before even getting a dog, it is super important to do your research and make sure you’re fully prepared for the transition. Getting a puppy starter kit specific to life in the city is particularly important. Additionally, do your research to make sure that the dog you adopt fits your lifestyle. Not every breed of dog or personality dog is fit for life in Manhattan or even a city. Make sure you are aware of the needs of the specific breed before getting your dog in order to make sure they get enough exercise and enrichment for their needs. Or if you are really interested in a certain breed, you make sure you are adjusting your lifestyle to fulfill their needs in a city.
Since most city residents don’t have backyards, where are good places to exercise my dog a city?
This is a great question because while dog parks might seem like the right choice, it should not always be the immediate one. Not only are puppies super susceptible to diseases, but you can’t always be sure that there won’t be reactive dogs and while your puppy is still very impressionable you want to minimize the risk of reactivity. Early socialization is super important but this can take the form of a puppy socialization class, having playdates with your friends and their dogs, or hiring a dog walker or sitter who can provide extra exercise for your pup when you’re at the office.
Do you have advice for finding a good walker or sitter in a city?
It is important to interview your dog walker or pet nanny and meet them in person before hiring them. Green flags to look for are positive referrals from current clients if the same person comes up by word of mouth since you know their reputation is good and if they are insured. You can tell if someone has experience when they meet your dog. But at the end of the day, they need to have a good connection with your dog since this is the person you’re trusting to raise your dog when you’re not around. Finally, make sure they are always communicating what they do with your dog and are sharing pictures!
Is there specific equipment that is important for having a puppy in the city?
Yes! Making sure that things are well-fitting is key. It can be really fun to get your pup a cute harness but you need to ensure that it won’t slip over their head. For walking a dog in the city, don’t use an extender leash or anything that isn’t directly attached to your hand. Getting an air tag or smart collar on a separate collar that’s not attached to what leash is attached to can be helpful for peace of mind and also give you a sense of how much activity they might need.
What are your dog walking tips for in a city?
You want your dog right next to you to make sure that they aren’t able to get into things, and that your walk is a way of engaging together. When you’re walking your dog, put your phone in your pocket and pay attention to them, engage in the walk, and talk so they know the communication is between you two. They will be listening and engaged with you. Avoid letting your dog eat out of community bowls for hygiene reasons, and keep them close because there are so many factors in a city that you can’t guess and you want to keep them safe. It’s all about awareness and having all these tools is so important in a city, since you’re not in a place where your dog can just run around so safety is key.
