I'm trying to come up with some ideas here regarding my dog/apt situation and figured some of you guys might be in the same situation and have some input. I got an American Bulldog pup about a month and a half ago (she's just over 12 weeks old now). I also live in an apartment. Legally, of course, the landlord can come in whenever he wants if there's an emergency (water leak, etc.) and I can't be reached. My pup will be protection-trained when she's old enough, so what do I do to keep her from tearing his head off if he comes in unannounced?
Best idea so far is some kind of "Guard Dog on Duty" sign. I heard "Beware of Dog" is an admission to owning a dangerous dog, so don't do that? I can't change the locks legally without giving the landlord a key, which defeats the purpose :rolleyes:. And I can't keep her in the bedroom or she can't do her job against other intruders. Any other ideas?
Chris

If having a dog isn't a violation of your lease agreement, why not introduce your dog to the landlord? Let her get to know him, visiting with him at least once a week. Give him some dog treats to give to her every time he sees her, and to bring some if he has to get into your apartment when you're not there.

And it's probably not a good idea to tell you landlord that your dog has protection training. Knowing that opens HIM up to liability.

I have an :idea: Introduce her to the landlord and make sure she knows he's a friend.

Well, actually, that'd be a problem, since there are any of a number of people that serve as landlord / maintenance on any given day. There's over a thousand units in my complex - it's the biggest in the area - 110 or so acres, $56 million :eek:. Thanks for the ideas, though - got any more?
Chris

Originally posted by Jeepskickass
If having a dog isn't a violation of your lease agreement
Also, yeah, having dogs is fine in our complex. And good point on keeping the training quiet - I'll do that. Thanks.
Chris

Send them a letter telling them you have a pit bull and to enter your apartment at their own risk.

Ron

:) Is that legal? LOL
Chris

You could simply send in a letter saying you have a dog, and it's not a mean dog, but someone coming in when you are not there carrying items for repair work (tools) or dressed in a manor (like tool belt, hard hat etc...) then the dog is used to might freak it out, and cause it to become disoriented and not behave as usual. I wouldn't say attack, but hint around it as much as you can so they get the idea. Saying it's an attack dog might open yourself up to someone being a whinner, but simply saying hey, I got a dog, be cafeful should be ok. People should have enough sence (but hey common sense isn't always common now is it?) to get that a dog is animal. Even good dogs and trained dogs can have moments of not being themselves if a stranger acting different comes into their home when you are not there.

Just get a written statement signed by both of you that they must give you 24 hours notice before entering your unit. Most places that allow dogs don't even want their workers entering a unit without knowing the dog is either outside, or caged, or gone.

Trust me, no one will be barging in unexpected once they know you have a big dog.

I would think that ANY dog would try to protect the dogs home if someone would come bardging in. The apts. that my daughter lives in she can put a dead bolt lock on the door. They said nothing about giving them a key to it.

Thanks, guys. The official agreement says that under normal circumstances, they must give me 24 hours notice before entering, but under emergency situations, that is not necessary (emergency wasn't defined, but they told me verbally water leak as an example), they can enter when they please.
I have a deadbolt already on there, but they've got a key, and they said they need a key to any locks I install on the door. Maybe if I had one of those chain-style deadbolts that was very loose, so it could be undone from outside. Like if you wanted in, you could undo it, but it'd be cumbersome, and you'd for sure know there was a big dog in the room before you got it all the way open :).
Sending them a letter should work good, too, ChevyCaGal - thanks. I'll do that in addition to any physical modifications I do. That might end up being the most effective.
My neighbors have a huge St. Bernard that is mean as hell. It's snapped at me twice and actually come after me once. Anybody going in there is going to have as much to fear as at my place LOL :).
Chris

Originally posted by GO 4LO
My neighbors have a huge St. Bernard that is mean as hell. It's snapped at me twice and actually come after me once. Anybody going in there is going to have as much to fear as at my place LOL :)
Chris

Problem solved! Go to your neighbor and ask what they do about this.

Something like:
You: "Hey, you're an asshole with a violent mean dog, what does the apartment complex do about entering your apartment?"
Neighbor: (sics dog on you, but also give some answer, which you then use in your situation)
You: (bleeding) "Thanks!"

Actually, the neighbors are really nice and try to keep control of the dog :). I already asked them, and they said not to bother doing anything LOL.
Chris

There's NOTHING that can't wait 30 mins for you to get home. Make sure they have your work number and your cell... Even pager if you still have one of those... 99.9% of the time they can turn off both water and power from the outside of the unit.

I've lived in many apartments and even a rent house... I've told them that I have to be there.. Period. Even though my dogs are uber friendly (labs), there's no reason for them to put themselves at risk or for me to accept that kind of liability...

My Shepherd has always been a good reason for my landlords to call ahead :D Until they learn what a sweetie he actually is :p

move into a house.:idea: Well it sounded like a good idea any way.