Are Yards Overrated? A Viral Discussion Between Dog Owners Displays The Secret
A yard can look like the ultimate dog-owner upgrade, until real life gets in the way. For plenty of people, it seems like the missing piece between apartment living and a happy, healthy pet.
That is exactly why one Reddit user sparked a lively discussion after sharing how she went from feeling guilty about raising a dog in an apartment to moving into a place with a big yard, only to realize it was not the dream setup she expected. Her story quickly opened the door for other dog owners to weigh in with their own experiences.
And once the replies started rolling in, the message got a lot more complicated than just yard or no yard.
Original post:
She raised her dog in an apartment, but they go for walks multiple times daily.
However, she has always thought that her dog needed a yard.
Then a miracle happened: she found a new apartment in the city with a big yard. She was so happy and impatient to move into a new home with her dog.
They have been living in their new home for nine months, but things haven't turned out the way she hoped.
That is where the dream starts to crack.
First, her dog likes to dig; second, he eats everything he finds out there.
But that's not all. They share their yard with a dog whose owners don't pick up his poop, so it's everywhere...
Then there's the barking, and most significantly, her dog doesn't enjoy the yard.
The idea of having a yard was beautiful, but it just doesn't work.
So the decision has been made: they will move back to an apartment with no yard, just a balcony for sunbathing and enjoying watching people pass by.
"Moral of the story: don't let anyone tell you your dog needs a yard."
Another Redditor agreed.
This is similar to the neighbor feud where a landlord said it was fine, but the dog still got accused.
Another Redditor agreed.
Another dog only uses it to sit with its owner.
Same here. My dog uses the yard very rarely.
Walking dogs is about spending time with them, but it is also good for the owner's health.
This can be an option too.
One reply made the point even more bluntly.
For some dogs, the yard means separation anxiety and no fun.
This other person's experience was useful for one Redditor.
"Yeah, yards can be overrated."
"My dog loves the yard for potty breaks, digging, and sunbathing, and that's about it."
If you thought your dog needed a yard, hopefully, this thread proves to you that not every dog adores the yard. For some of them, a yard means nothing.
If you take your dog for walks daily and spend time with him, he doesn't desperately need it. In fact, he may not need it at all.
Maybe the balcony was the better upgrade all along.
Before you blame the dog, see how one Redditor handled neighbors after letting their dog pee there.
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