Ok yall, I really want to get a lab this spring, but I live in an apartment. Is that wrong? I know that if I get a dog, I will make time to exercise it mornings and evenings, but is it cruel to leave it indoors while I work 9-5?

Any way you can go by the apartment at lunch time? A puppy won't be able to last all day. You'll have a messy crate if you don't let the puppy out every couple of hours until it gets older.

That really is hard on the dog. Especially if it's a sport breed. They're made for activity. Are you wanting it for a pet or for hunting?

Have to say wait until you get a house and yard. You and the dog will be happier for it. labs need space to spend energy.

that says it all

well you buy a sofa for you and one for the dog to destroy that would allow the pup to work off some energy!

can you break for lunch and stop by? How far are you from work? Is there parks near by that you can use?
I had my Weimer in an apt while in school. He ran with me, when to parks to run, also did training and hunted him. It doesnt take that much time, but it does take some. Other wise you will have your stuff torn up when you come.I know I got him more exercise then a lot of dogs that are just left on their own in a backyard.

If you get a Lab pup and leave it at home from 9 to 5, you might not have any aprtment left when you get back

My six year old lab has always lived in an apartment with me... including the highrise we live in now... is it ideal? no... can it work? yes. Like the other posts say... if you can get home at lunch to let it out it will be better... I used a crate for the first year now she just stays out in the apartment and does her own thing during the day... we had a couple of incidents with the trash (corrected of course) but that is it... But she does have a ton of "her own" toys so she leaves my stuff alone.

crate the dog when your not home, and exercise it when you get home...problem solved

Yea it can be done. Also try get some in some good exercise for the dog before you go to work too that way it will go right in the kennel and sleep.

my lab was fine in a apartment but he is fat and lazy. I did find myself working with him more then than I do now

dogs that are in training live in a 4x8 foot kennel and get worked once or twice a day. Its not that big of a deal as long you promise yourself to get him out daily, which can get to be difficult to do everyday for 12+ years.

I lived in an apartment for 3 years, and wanted a lab the entire time. My wife and I decided to get a sheltie, about 20lbs, perfect size for an apartment. I told myself that I would wait until I got a house to get a lab. 4 months after we moved into our house I got my pup. IMO A dog isn't just a dog, it's a family member and it's going to be with you for the next 10+ years. If you have to wait a year or so I would. If you're hell bent on gettin one now, make sure you take it out often, labs are full of energy. My lab runs around all day and is still a handful when I get home from work.

I agree with Tuoms. I think it's selfish to buy a Lab and make him live in an apartment. I waited until we moved to a house before making that leap.

But, if you're hell bent on getting one, remember that dogs sleep about 20 hours a day. So, they just need one or two good walks and play time to be happy.

Let me put you in a crate for 8 hours, let you out when I get home from work for about 4-5 hours, then back in the crate or at least in the house for 8 hours while I sleep. I will let you outside for a 1/2 hour in the morning before I go to work, then we do it all over again. Does not sound so good, now does it?

your comparing a human to a dog...apples and oranges my friend

a dog belongs in a kennel when your not around, it keeps the dog and you out of trouble...I am afraid we will have to agree to disagree on this one...I am headed out of door to find the ducks right now

I don't know if Ill be able to get home for lunch yet now or now. I student teach this semester, and was thinking about getting one near the end of the semester. Yes this dog will be a hunting dog. I do have parks everywhere around me, I live in plano, theres even some with ponds for the water training. I don't know yet, but I'd really love to get a dog, and I will probably live here for several more years until I get my student loans under control. Thanks for the input.

What he said, I have a house, my dog spends zero time in the yard, other than to crap.

If you give the dog enough time to burn off excess energy you should be fine. When I was in an apartment I was walking/running the dog twice a day. Once in the morning and again at night. Its all about not being bored and burning off that excess energy so they don't have the energy to destroy the house. Also if your fresh out of college your stuff normally isn't that great so if they do happen to destroy it your not going to be too mad. Also as you probably know make the crate a good place for the dog and not let them think of it as a punishment and you should be fine.

Yeah I hear ya on having crappy stuff lol. I plan on taking it out to exercise in the am and pm. Its my wfe who is worried the most, she is more of a cat/lap dog girl.

Haha, it may take her a year or so to warm up to the dog. For that first year and then some, he/she prob wont be the calmest, and if she likes cats and lap dogs, don't think she'll like an 80lbs lab in her face while she's doing her nails. This is coming from personal experience. lol

Only time my dog is in the yard is when I am outside doing something or she's out to do her business. I walk her daily and hunt her alot. Have had no problems.

x2 On what Fooshman said, my dog has a yard to run around in but he would rather sit on his butt inside. He goes for a short walk each night and gets hunted 3 or 4 times a week. He is 7, but looking back on it I do remember that first year being kind of rough.

I too will agree to disagree, although if you and him are trained well there will be no trouble to get into. Good Luck hunting as I just got back. Happy Holidays.