Pit Bulls and Apartments...

[Remy]

So, Sorry if this is not in the right topic, this is my 1st post. I have a wonderful 3 year old male pit named Remy. However, I live with my parents currently. When my boyfriend and I went looking for an apartment to rent last year, nobody would allow a pit bull in their complex. How can I move out of my house then? I am not rehoming my dog EVER, but I don't want to lie and risk getting caught if nosy neighbors reported me. What can I do?

[tommy3]

Try telling them it is an American Staffordshire Terrier. It worked for others. It seems that most people have no idea what kind of dog an Amstaff is. You will never find an apartment if you tell them that you have a pit bull.

[14rock]

Tough choice. Our breed of dog generally does eliminate alot of housing options. Personally, I dont like the idea of a bulldog in an apartment anyways...unless you can get out and work that dog for most of the day. This is the reason why I prefer houses a couple miles outside of town, with plenty of acreage. The dogs tend to not be so "couped up" if you know what I mean.

[Defend2DaEnd]

Look for a Pit friendly land lord near you. I know it seems hard but if I found one so can you

[WWII]

I just told the apts. I used to live in it was a mutt.

[Iverson's Pits]

Apbts Are Active, Hyper, Energetic Animals That Wont Do Too Well In An Apartment-style Environment. I Doubt That Taking Your Dog Down The Elevator To Take A Walk Is Gonna Sit Well With Little Ms. Stevens Or The Hippie Bastards In 13b...know What I Mean. Get A House With At Least A 100' X 100' Back Yard (if You Can) I Feel Negligent When My Dogs Dont Run Every Other Day For At Least 2 Hours A Piece. And I Got 4 Inside Dogs Right Now. Basically, An Apartment Is Not Conducive With Owning A Pitbull. Jmo.

[japangame]

IversonsPits is right. But apartments are sometimes the only rout out of the parents house. Try looking for houses to rent. Sometimes rent is cheaper but bills are higher. Your financial state should be at least 6 months rent saved up just incase. and then you are ready. Good luck on your search. Where are you located? I might be able to E-mail you some places near you.

[Bakercloud]

Look for apartments that are not listed, they might have less strict rules. Apt's that allow dogs, maybe tell them your paying the dep b/c you are planning on getting a small dog. If possible find a small one b/r house will a decent size yard. Remember that living in a dog friendly apt. complex does mean constant contact with other dogs. Not saying your dog would be off the leash, but maybe the pincher downstairs is. JMO GoodLuck

[DryCreek]

Apbts Are Active, Hyper, Energetic Animals That Wont Do Too Well In An Apartment-style Environment. I Doubt That Taking Your Dog Down The Elevator To Take A Walk Is Gonna Sit Well With Little Ms. Stevens Or The Hippie Bastards In 13b...know What I Mean. Get A House With At Least A 100' X 100' Back Yard (if You Can) I Feel Negligent When My Dogs Dont Run Every Other Day For At Least 2 Hours A Piece. And I Got 4 Inside Dogs Right Now. Basically, An Apartment Is Not Conducive With Owning A Pitbull. Jmo.
Hey.....I'm a Hippie Bastard, and I wouldn't mind LMAO

I have tried countless times to find places that will rent to someone with a Pit Bull. I don't recommend lying, that will get your azz thrown out quicker than you can blink. If you look in the smaller towns, out from the suburbs, around where your needing to move to, you might find a small house that you can afford and will suit your needs. I prefer to be able to walk, or play with my dog in the peace of a backyard than to deal with the pitty bigots you find in towns and cities anyhow.

[scooter]

Thank goodness I don't have to go thru what you are going thru. My friend Never says anything but AmStaff and doesn't have any problems renting. His dog is well mannered etc. Good Luck

[Pitbull Fauna]

we told our land lord we werent sure what type of breed ours was, because we rescued her, even though we got her from my brother in law who has both of her parents still. We told them she was a terrier mix. They never asked to see her, or have her brought in, come to think of it they never even asked for vet records of shots. There is also a bull mastiff that lives in our complex, so i think they just let any dogs in. If you cant find an apartment in your area that will let you have it, try finding a house to rent that will allow you to have dogs!

[Diesel]

Pits do fine in aparement settings, prvided they get EXTRA long workouts. I would take my dogs to the park 2-3 times a day for an hour or two a session. I lived in a single room efficiency. It was all I could afford at the time. I had virtually no issues. I told my landlord that she was a boxer mix. though AMStaff could work its likely that at some point they could figure it out, or they might go grab a book to find out about whatever breed you say. thats why mutts or mixes is your safest route. If you can find a landlord that allows medium/ large dogs.. you'll be fine. tell him that you will allow him to meet the dog so you can prove its not vicious or mean. tell him you will pay a pet deposit upfront or maybe a little extra on rent for having a dog. that usaully gets it done. landlords just want to make sure that the apartment stays nice, you being accountable for that beyond just the standard seurity deposit proves that you have a vested interest in his building as well.
good luck.

[TruPitLver]

Well, I am moving April 1st. And it wasn't too hard to find a place in Apopka/Altaomnte Springs FLA that will allow pit bulls. My mom first was trying to act like Lexas (my APBT) was a terrier mix...but the man said "Oh a Pit Bull?" lol. My mom sure felt like an idiot. LOL, He didn't care though. He just wants to meet her (the dog). If you are in Orlando, I know the Chatam Harbor allows pit bulls, I have a couple friends who live there with pit bulls....

[WWII]

If a building has pets and you are not allowed to have one it is called "De facto" discrimination. It is illegal.
Our rules in the apts were that we were allowed to have a medium sized dog, but it couldn't be a:
Doberman
Pit bull
Rotty
Shar pei

Is that still discrimination or not since it was on the rules for the complex?

[Diesel]

Our rules in the apts were that we were allowed to have a medium sized dog, but it couldn't be a:
Doberman
Pit bull
Rotty
Shar pei

Is that still discrimination or not since it was on the rules for the complex?the landlord has the right to refuse in our state. It can be for any reason or no reason. You are not obligated to be accepted into a building.
We have those same dogs on our list of "dangerous breeds", these are typically dogs that will keep you from getting a place.
I think it might be state to state laws, that govern what is legal and not for a landlord as far as that goes.

[*PLAYBOY*]

This Situation Has Happened 2 Me Several Times In The Past, And I've Told Each Landlord That I Owned An Amstaff. Each One Ok'd Me Moving In, But Sooner Or Later They Do Seem To Make The Connection. Due To The Fact I Train My Dogs Not To Bark They've Always Considered My Pits Harmless And Friendly. Good Luck With Your Search!

[runt]

I was one of those people who jumped head first into being a pitbull owner knowing nothing of the breed,I got tiger(my first)6yrs. ago living in a appartment,got him at 5 weeks old and if I could go back I would have waited he tore my couch up ate my crew driver up(craftman rechargeable) found a house quick.

[tjpitbull]

Tell them its hal AmStaff half ab thats what my cousin did. And what do you know neighbors and manger love his dog. However i notice when i take mine out there the kinda get scared and give me looks.Reason is that they know (supposedly my dog is pure bred pit bull).

[Iverson's Pits]

Sure is...that's why it says "JMO" at the end = "Just My Opinion"...but dont get all butt-hurt cuz I said that and you happen to live in an apartment :) doesn't mean you are a bad owner or negligent. Just means you either work that extra mile to get your dog the exercise and whatnot that he needs, or that your dog COULD be getting better opportunity in a yard environment.



This is just your opinion and should not be taken as the truth!

[realonebulldog]

This is just your opinion and should not be taken as the truth! I think the dog should have 2 walks each 1 houer every day....thats enough...if you have more time...FINE....At home my dogs sleep most of the time, so for that I think they dont need a big house or garden...only my opinion...;)

[realonebulldog]

I think the dog should have 2 walks each 1 houer every day....thats enough...if you have more time...FINE....At home my dogs sleep most of the time, so for that I think they dont need a big house or garden...only my opinion...;) A yes I forgod...tell he is a boxer lab mix or a pointer boxer mix or so...you and your will have no problems.....and thats the only important thing!

[Doggystyle]

You just gotta be slick with it. My wife got the lease in her name so that way the apt staff don't know who me or my dog is when they see us. I know I'm lucky that my dog is a solid color and many people around here expext pits to be huge, with cropped ears and a few markings. My neighbor has two dogs, one is a blue(which is massive) and the other is a pit bull. The blue can only be taken out at night because someone complained that he had this oversized pit bull(not really a pit bull). The complex told him he can keep it because he got it registered as a mastiff mix with the spca. Most complexes wont even allow AmStaffs, so be careful. As far as conditioning, it's possible depending on the owner of the dog. I take well care of my baby. Pics in gallery! I work 8hrs a day and when I'm home I'm with her outside or on the patio working the flirtpole.

[maryellen1]

you can groom your dog to be a good citizen.. do a resume on him/her.. make it very official looking.. have friends of yours who know your dog write a referral on the dog. have your vet do the same as well. if you present your dog in a positive, well behaved light, your chances of getting into an apt will increase.. if you can, take the akc cgc test, which can be found at www.akc.org (http://www.akc.org/) and search under cgc.. a well behaved dog is a model dog citizen, and people will look twice when your dog is behaving while you and your dog are being interviewed for an apt.

also, dont ever lie about your breed, if someone recognizes the dog as a pit bull or amstaff they could get you thrown out of the apt then you will be homeless

[Doggystyle]

you can groom your dog to be a good citizen.. do a resume on him/her.. make it very official looking.. have friends of yours who know your dog write a referral on the dog. have your vet do the same as well. if you present your dog in a positive, well behaved light, your chances of getting into an apt will increase.. if you can, take the akc cgc test, which can be found at www.akc.org (http://www.akc.org/) and search under cgc.. a well behaved dog is a model dog citizen, and people will look twice when your dog is behaving while you and your dog are being interviewed for an apt.

also, dont ever lie about your breed, if someone recognizes the dog as a pit bull or amstaff they could get you thrown out of the apt then you will be homelessLets not exaggerate. You will not be thrown out. Technically speaking they will just charge you fines some say $100 up front and then maybe $10/day. They will want you to get rid of your dog. I told one complex I lived in that I got rid of her and when they came to check she was in her cage quiet as a mouse in the closet and when they left she was free again and her cage was back beside my bed. I wouldn't try building up a presentation for your dog. I applied to a complex and like usual they asked if I had a dog and before I could answer she said if so then I couldn't own what they considered aggressive breeds, of course pit bulls were on that list as well as Amstaffs. I asked(already knowing) why they believe all these dogs are aggressive and she replied because of some people who handle these dogs. She said she owns a few pit bulls and even kept pics of them with her of her dogs and her horses. My point is that some of these leasing consultants may even own bully breeds but it it their job to discriminate and they want their job.

[missybee16]

The only problem I ever had, was when I moved here to this house. The lady in the next house started complaining because, she had small children. I told her to shut up, she was making more noise than my dogs would. Then, I brought out my niece & nephew. Showed her how the dog played with the kids, and not rough. Changed her mind. When she moved, she came & said sorry. I told her, lil' to late. And next time when you see an owner with it's dog(Pit), don't label. Just smile & go your own way.

[miakoda]

If your apartment complex or rental house has it in their lease that they ban certain breeds of dogs, & you lie about your dog's breed, & they see the dog & determine it to be one of the banned breeds, then you better bet your ass you will be evicted. And they won't give you a month to get out either. Don't think for one minute that the landlord will choose the breed name you chose over what his uneducated eyes are telling him he sees. And not only did you lie on the contract & disobey the lease, but you possibly put the complex in trouble with their own insurance company.

BSL sucks. Their is no reason for BSL. We KNOW that. But to blantantly lie & possibly be evicted not only puts you in a bad situation, but puts your dog in a worse one.

I've been evicted for my dogs. I learned my lesson. And we've also been dropped (instantly) from home owner's insurance, not from lieing about the dog's breed, but b/c we did not tell them & they found out. As much as we preach about honesty in breeders, we need to preach it in owners as well.

My opinion is this: if you are not in a situation where you cannot legally & safely own & provide for a "pit bull", then do NOT get one. Wait until you have a place that allows them or your own home vs. possibly having to dump yet another beloved family member at the shelter. If it's worth that much, then it's worth the wait.

[SEAL]

try introducing your pet to the landlord it is what i did and she loved him and it was just fine.

[mikelia]

I am lucky. When I moved into my apartment I had my senior german shepherd with me and everyone in the building saw how well behaved and trained she was. My landlord fell in love with her. I had many discussions with my landlord about pit bulls. He never waivered from his beleif that pit bulls can be nice dogs, but they 'turn', and that he didn't trust them.
Well when my GSD bitch bloated and I had her put down, I brought said to my landlord that I had found a dog, and she was an apbt. He let me bring her home, and loves her and feeds her treats all the time. Everyone likes her, and we educate everyone about the breed and such.
But, having a high energy dog in an apartment is quite a chore. We excercise a lot daily, and this doesn't just mean walking. Biking, rollerblading, taking her out on a 20 foot long line and running around like an idiot in the park, lots of tug o war, everyday. Plus multiple walks. I don't particularily like coming home at midnight after working all night to excercise the dog, but it has to be done. You can't take a days break and just send the dog out in the backyard to do its business. If its nasty weather, you still have to trudge out with the dog and excercise. Either that or prepare to have your dog running circles and getting into everything. Wednesday's really good about not destroying things that aren't hers, but if I don't excercise her she gets really hyper and won't stay still, which is a pain in my ass lol.
I am lucky, in ontario there is a fluffy law or something that says that you cannot be denied or evicted from a place if you own pets. Now if someone is making complaints about a dangerous dog, then yes, you can be evicted. But even if it says in the lease you cannot own pets, once you are in, it is void. Thats how I moved out of my parents the first time. In the lease it said no pets, but the people I was moving in with agreed to the pets, and when my landlord came over after I moved in and saw 2 huge german shepherds and a cat, he wasn't too pleased but there wasn't anything he could do. They weren't bothering anybody, I walked them everytime they went out (sometimes I tied my female to the front porch for some air, but thats it. My male would charge anyone that came to close :P ) and they did no damage to the house.
Good luck.

[realonebulldog]

[QUOTE=miakoda]If your apartment complex or rental house has it in their lease that they ban certain breeds of dogs, & you lie about your dog's breed, & they see the dog & determine it to be one of the banned breeds, then you better bet your ass you will be evicted. And they won't give you a month to get out either. ...........stop........not so fast.....fact is there is no way to prove wich kind of breed your dog is. To look at a dog says nothing about that point. Of course it is in some cases better to tell the trues...in some cases! But if you are in trouble you shouldnt think twice....he is a boxer mix.....P E R I O D E.....I am someone who tells wen ever posible the trues....but sometimes you fight against natural born idiots....and then you should know what to do.

[miakoda]

Real, I know what you are saying that there is no way to prove a dog's breed (mostly amont the bully breeds), HOWEVER, that same comment will backlash upon you as you cannot prove that your dog is NOT a "pit bull". I promise you, you will have 30 days to either throw the dog out or get out. He's not going to be an naive idiot who believes everyone with "pit bulls" really own "boxer mixes". Ultimately, it's not your decision on whether you get to remain in your rented dwelling if you violate the lease.

& again, this is a huge reason why this breed is also facing extermination. Because people act on the spur of the moment or put themselves first & then find themselves in a situation of homelessnes vs. chunk dog in shelter. If you are not stable enough to legally, safely, & properly provide shelter for & care for a "pit bull" then for goodness sakes, do NOT get one!

[realonebulldog]

[QUOTE=miakoda]Real, I know what you are saying that there is no way to prove a dog's breed (mostly amont the bully breeds), HOWEVER, that same comment will backlash upon you as you cannot prove that your dog is NOT a "pit bull". I promise you, you will have 30 days to either throw the dog out or get out. He's not going to be an naive idiot who believes everyone with "pit bulls" really own "boxer mixes". .................Naive Idiot or not, fact is he cant prove it,and the govermend cant prove it.....this fact saved a few thousands of doglifes here in germany....and many vets helped the owners ....maybe you have other laws in U S A but here in germany is someone innocent as long as the govermend cant prove something....so if someone said he has a boxer&dogo mix and no one is able to prove it...FINE.......but thats only my opinion...especiality in this times....and like I said before maybe we have a differend situation here in germany.

[StraightGame]

iverson's you posted it wouldnt work well it does for me ok look at my dogs and right now im in a 1 bedroom apt. and fulltime work.

[PiT_cHiK83]

i tell them my 2 pits are American Staffordshire Terrier... it always works for me.... good luck.... :-)

[miakoda]

[QUOTE=miakoda]Real, I know what you are saying that there is no way to prove a dog's breed (mostly amont the bully breeds), HOWEVER, that same comment will backlash upon you as you cannot prove that your dog is NOT a "pit bull". I promise you, you will have 30 days to either throw the dog out or get out. He's not going to be an naive idiot who believes everyone with "pit bulls" really own "boxer mixes". .................Naive Idiot or not, fact is he cant prove it,and the govermend cant prove it.....this fact saved a few thousands of doglifes here in germany....and many vets helped the owners ....maybe you have other laws in U S A but here in germany is someone innocent as long as the govermend cant prove something....so if someone said he has a boxer&dogo mix and no one is able to prove it...FINE.......but thats only my opinion...especiality in this times....and like I said before maybe we have a differend situation here in germany.
Well, here in Denver, CO (the good ole USA) a purebred Boxer was euthanized b/c it fell under the "looks like a pit bull so must be a pit bull" law. So all hail your great country.

I don't get why some "pit bull" owners are hell bent on encouring others to lie, break the rules, & possibly endanger an innocent dog's life all b/c of selfish wants & needs.

[Iverson's Pits]

well, your dog looks friggin awesome. i see, you also have a treadmill, which im sure helps out alot with conditioning your dogs in an apartment-environment. whatever you're doing seems to be working. congrats. and keep it up. most people, however, tend to neglect working animals when in an apartment. not saying you CANT get the dogs exercise they need in an apartment.

iverson's you posted it wouldnt work well it does for me ok look at my dogs and right now im in a 1 bedroom apt. and fulltime work.

[realonebulldog]

Well, here in Denver, CO (the good ole USA) a purebred Boxer was euthanized b/c it fell under the "looks like a pit bull so must be a pit bull" law. So all hail your great country.

I don't get why some "pit bull" owners are hell bent on encouring others to lie, break the rules, & possibly endanger an innocent dog's life all b/c of selfish wants & needs. Serious? lol ....your boxer is a Pitbull.....Sorry but we have to kill him...but on the other hand if I look at Floyds tragedy ....yes you right...its a compleat differend situation, so friends, allways tell the trues becaus dont matter , Boxer or Pitbull......:)

[Remy]

Wow, so many replies! I should have mentioned this. Mydog cannot run and jump and get lots of exersise. He has been diagnosed with hip displasia and a knee injury. After exersising, he limps and is in pain. The vet said he should only be taken on short walks...But, if I could afford it, I would much rather be able to have a house or town house. I don't like the idea of apartments anyway I guess, just confused about what to do...

[maryellen1]

remy, if your dog has hip displasia, then put him on syn flex. it works great for my 11 year old dog that has hip displasia and arthritis and has been on it for almost 2 years now. he went from not being able to walk or get up without pain, to jumping my 3 foot high deck fence to chase the animals..... here is the link where to get it..http://www.shurepetsnh.com/synflex.htm at the bottom is my friend patti's info as she sells it.. tell her if you order it maryellen sent you.

[Remy]

My dog Remy is on Synovi chews from the vet and also on a veterinary perscribed joint managment diet. I hope I don't have to end up moving to Remadyl or some other type of pain med, but might have too. Thanks