Downsizing to No Garden

[fr1day]

The OH and I are in the process of purchasing our first house. We’ve been renting for the last couple of years and have been completely spoiled by having a massive garden for the two mutts to run around in. However, the house we’re buying only has a small 10x6 ft paved courtyard garden at the front of the house. I feel so guilty at the minute watching my two run around like maniacs in our current garden, not to mention they both love a good roll in the grass!

Does anyone have any experience of transitioning from a big garden to no garden and how their dogs have managed?

[piph]

Oh dear, no replies so far so I don't expect this is a problem that very many cocker owners have had to overcome.  The only experience I have is having to stay long term at my mum's a couple of years ago with a 3 year old GR.  Mum only has a small paved courtyard.  Our Cassie was very reluctant at first to wee or poo on the slabs, but of course she had to when she got desperate.  As long as you have somewhere close by that you can take them for long walks they'll probably be fine - but I'd be prepared for them to be a bit naughty as they won't be letting off steam by running around the garden.  Good luck 

[elaine.e]

Dogs are very adaptable and I'm sure they will adapt to their new situation, but as already said, they'll probably need more walks to help out and games to play inside the house to keep them busy too.

The real worry for me would be that the courtyard is at the front, where I assume they can be seen by anybody passing by and can also see passers by. I'm pretty sure my 2 would bark at passers by in that situation and I'd be too worried about them being stolen to leave them out there on their own for even a few minutes.

[Emilyoliver]

My dogs stayed with my friend in a 3rd floor flat in Berlin for 8 months (waiting for pet passports) on their way from south africa to the uk.  They adapted very well - no problems. So long as they have enough stimulation and exercise, the garden size shouldn't bother them. As it is, I don't leave my dogs outside on their own - besides, they follow me everywhere. So during winter they mostly go out in garden for wees, otherwise it's walks in the fields. They have loads of opportunity for free running and playing then. As already mentioned - they're really adaptable little dogs who just want to be with their people. All the best with your move.

[SophieBlueRoanLover]

Do you have any parkland near the new house? We live in a flat and have no garden, but there are lots of parks nearby (including opposite) so it makes it easier. My parents have a big garden, but so far I don't let him run around it on his own, but he doesn't notice the difference when he comes home after staying there for a while.

[twiceover2]

We have a garden but it is separated from the house by a back lane so we have to take the dogs across there.  Attached to the house we just have a small yard, which Pippa is happy to toilet in but Barney won't so you might find your dogs won't want to use the courtyard.  Of course, ideally we would have an attached garden but had no plans for dogs when we bought the house.  However, I don't feel mine miss out as they always get a good run and play off lead on walks every day.  We have one long walk (1 hour plus) every day mainly off lead, one half hour lead walk and one short toilet break.  They really only go in the garden if we are in there.  I think your dogs will be fine as long as you give them plenty of walks and find somewhere they can have a good run off lead.

[Catie74]

No experience of downsizing, but what I can say is that I don't have a garden.  My dogs get walked for at least 1hr 30 a day on a bad day and  to 4 hrs 30 at the weekends sometimes plus around 20-30minutes first thing and last thing at night.  So I would say that your dogs will be fine although obviously I would love a garden, so can understand your concerns.  I must admit that if I take the dogs to my sisters they do love running around the garden, but then they love running anywhere.  Good luck, but don't feel guilty, your dogs will get the run abouts they need.  I guess that in a way I am lucky, as there are so many good places to walk, like Richmond park or Wimbledon Common.  Infact last time i was at Wimbledon they got a 6 hr walk, but I think that had more to do with the fact I got totally lost 

[Sarah.H]

We used to live in a flat and Millie coped well with it. As others have said you really need to add an extra little walk in for last thing at night for them to go to the toilet.

What I felt Millie was missing out on was lounging around on sunny days. I tired to make sure on nice days I spent time sat down outside somewhere so she could roll around in the grass (although she is so hyper that she often just ran off!). I'm lucky that at work there is an outdoor pen for exercising the horses so I can sit in there eating my lunch while Millie enjoys being in the fresh air without me worrying about her escaping.

[Danni and Freya]

I live in a flat so my girls have never known any different but they are perfectly happy. They obviously get all they need from walks and coming to work as they are very chilled out when at home. I have a secluded bit of green just outside the front door for toileting in between walks which is very handy but hopefully yours can get used to using the courtyard, i'm sure they will if they really need to go

[kalami]

Our house has an average size garden which the dogs love. We have a flat we go to frequently and the dogs have no issues, they sit by the door for wee's and we take them. If anything they get more walks .
It's more of an inconvenience to us than to them.

As long as they have somewhere for early morning wee and last thing at night, you'll find a way of adapting that works for yourselves and the dogs

[Clare B]

I have a small courtyard where we currently live in Sydney , Flo is fine to toilet there in the spots where there isn't any paving.  We have loads of parks nearby so she gets lots of off lead runs, she also goes out with me whenever I'm walking in the neighborhood to the shops or friends places. I'm pretty sure that if we had a big garden she would still stick by me in the house following me from room to room and sitting under my desk, this theory will soon be tested because where we're moving to in the UK has an acre of garden.  Good luck with the move.

[fr1day]

Thanks for all the replies! I'm sure that once we get in the house, and the dogs settle in that they'll eventually get used to not having as much outside space. The courtyard garden is full of massive bushes etc. at the minute... So we've already planned on ripping them out to maximise the use of space and I think that initially we'll put some turf down, that way the dogs can get used to toileting out there.

We're lucky that the house is only 5 minutes walk from the Thames and there's loads of fields and parks around so I don't think they'll suffer too much. They already get a 20 min walk in the morning, and 1-1.5 hours at lunch time. We're also planning on incorporating a bedtime walk into their routine once we move.

I know they'll get used to it. Guess I just feel guilty cause they do both love to sun bathe and run around in the garden.

[Patp]

Hi, sounds like it will all be okay with plenty of places to let off steam - and I think that walks out are far more stimulating for dogs (and more relaxing for owners).

We have a medium sized garden on a housing estate, which TBH Jinley doesnt go out and play in, unless we are pottering outside.  It its raining, she only goes as far as the patio anyway!!

Concrete is much easier to keep clean - why not see how they get on before digging it up and laying turf?

Pat