Can a Samoyed Dog live in an Apartment?

Let’s say you fell in love with a Samoyed dog and are considering getting one, but you are asking, ‘Can a Samoyed dog live in an apartment?

You are asking because you live in an apartment or planning to move into one while you already have a Samoyed dog.

Samoyeds can live in apartments. Although they are high-energy dogs that require room for activities, you can manage them to be accustomed to living in apartments or tiny houses with training.

When training your Samoyed for apartment living, one thing you have to consider is their nature. 

Samoyeds, by nature, are known to bark a lot; their barking can crack your skull open (just joking).

Your first job is to train your dog to talk instead of yelling (barking). 

This training will reduce the barking of the Samoyed and, as a result, keep you and your neighbor happy.

Preventing Barking of Samoyed Dogs living in Apartments:

It would help if you always listened along with your dog and observed the noise or anything that could trigger your dog barking.

Before he starts growling or perking up, you have to stop him before he starts barking.

Offer him treats and rewards when he obeys. 

A pat on the head and some treats with saying “good boy” will condition him, and this training will help keep your Samoyed quiet in the apartment. It always works!

Exercise Requirement for a Samoyed Dog living in an apartment.

The Samoyeds are very active, as you already know. They are not suited for tiny houses or apartments.

To get them adapted to life in an apartment, you must make arrangements for your dog to get enough daily exercise.

They are not known to do well when left alone for long and unattended. It would be best if you never left any dog unattended in a locked apartment for a long time.

So, you must have a walking and exercise timetable drawn out for your Samoyed because if they don’t get enough exercise, this may result in destructive behaviors like chewing shoes and other properties in your apartment.

Generally speaking, all the high-energy dogs are prone to action; some are prey driven and can run after anything they consider a target in their environment.

Apart from getting them out of the apartment for regular exercise, what other things do you have to do to get them accustomed to apartment living?

Potty training your Samoyed for Apartment living.

The earlier you potty trained your Samoyed dog, the better. 

As with every animal, they would need to use the toilet (defecate).

You sure don’t want Sammy to do his business in your apartment. 

It would help if you created a potty schedule for your Samoyed.

Once they have a particular wee time, they would stick to that training.

Training your Samoyed to adhere to a routine for using the potty is an essential step in getting them adapted to living in an apartment.

Crate Training your Samoyed for Apartment living.

To get your Samoyed acquainted with living in an apartment, you should crate train him.

Crate training is critical because once your dog understands that the crate is his den, he will not urinate or defecate there.

The crate becomes like his den, and canines generally don’t soil their dens.

One little trick to properly crate training your Samoyed is the crate placement.

You must place the crate in a space close to where the whole family hangs out.

The most suitable place for this is a corner of your living room or space where most of the family stays together.

Conditioning your dogs with some pleasure will keep them used to stay inside the crate; the training must include rewards.

There is a great article here (external link) if you want to housebreak or crate train your Samoyed dog.

Crate training takes time, and its success depends on your dog’s age, temperament, or previous training.

Finding the Right Crate cage for your Samoyed dog

Above all, you must select the right crate. You should get the right size for your dog’s comfort.

Usually, dogs don’t like to stay in the cage when the cage is too small for them or difficult for them to get out.

The available space for the cage in your apartment is also an essential factor.

I would recommend a cage with double doors, which gives the dog easy access to the dog cage from multiple sides and is also foldable.

It would help if you got a crate that can be folded and stored to create space in your apartment when you don’t require the dog to be in the cage.

Check this cage out; it has excellent reviews on Amazon, and many people seem happy with it.

However, it would be best if you understood that leaving your dog in the crate for a very long time is not suitable for your dog’s health; it is cruel and can be considered entrapment.

Getting a Dog Walker or Dog Sitter for your Samoyed Dog

Assuming you are a walking class dog owner who lives in an apartment or you are just going to be away for some time.

Another thing you can do for your Samoyed dog is to get someone to walk or mind him while you are away.

Many companies offer dog sitting and dog walking services in every major city in the US.

The cost of the service will vary based on your location and the service you require.

Average Cost of a Dog Walker or Dog Sitter

You can get someone to go into your apartment and take your dog for a walk and exercise while you are at work or away on vacation.

The average cost of getting these services is between $25 – $40 per half-hour visit. 

The cost is different if you want your dog minded overnight, which can be around $45 – $75 per night.

Below are companies that offer dog daycare and dog sitting.

If you are on vacation, they will take good care of your dog.

Assuming you don’t already own a Samoyed but just considering another dog that is suitable for or can adapt well to apartment living.

Here are seven alternative Dogs to samoyed that are apartment friendly.

7 Apartment Friendly Dogs: An Alternative to the Samoyeds

Suppose you don’t already own a Samoyed but considering getting a suitable dog to live in your apartment. 

In that case, you may consider other dog breeds with different temperaments and behavior suitable for apartments or small spaces.

Although apartment-friendly dogs are small, some dogs do well in the condo, irrespective of their size.

Some dogs are better than others for living in apartments in terms of quietness, low energy, calmness, and politeness. 

Let’s look at seven of them:

Bichon Frise

Bichon has beautiful black eyes and is very cheerful. They are sometimes mistaken for a poodle.

They are a great family-friendly pet with a lot of love for a companion.

Because of their small size, they are suitable for apartment living.

However, just like every other dog, they require regular exercise and can be exceedingly miserable when left for a long time on their own.

Chihuahua 

You can’t go wrong with the chihuahuas if you need an obedient dog with loads of cheerfulness and chams.

Because of their small body size, they are very adaptive to living in apartments or tiny homes.

They require less exercise and minimal grooming.

However, these dogs require special care and are not advisable for homes with children under eight because the chihuahua has tiny and fragile bodies.

If they play rough, children can hurt the chihuahua or accidentally killed due to their tiny bodies.

Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier, just like the Chihuahua breeds, has a small body size. They are great as companion dogs and adapt well to living in apartments.

The terriers require a lot of exercise because of their high energy level.

They are called Yorkies in the United States and have less tendency to bark and howl. 

As a result, they won’t be driving your neighbors crazy.

Pug

The pugs are great companion dogs. 

They are less mouthy than the Samoyeds, so you shouldn’t have a problem with nagging neighbors.

The pugs were bred as lap dogs originally.

They are great as kid’s friendly family dogs and adapt well to apartment living.

Boston Terrier 

Boston terriers are an intelligent dog breed.

Because of their affection and family friendliness, they are now called American gentlemen.

They were bred as pit fighters originally.

Generally, their lifespan is between 13-15years.

While they have an excellent adaptation to apartment living, they require crate training if you have them in the apartment.

Basenji 

Basenji are of Congolese origin in East Africa.

Initially, the primary use of the Basenjis was hunting small animals.

Basenji breeds are suitable for a family with kids. 

They don’t have any problem living in apartments.

Although they are very strong-willed (stubborn) and can be very hard to train, they are great for apartment living.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a great companion dog that will always get people’s attention whenever you go on a walk.

They are all-around loving and friendly.

They constantly wag their tails and will do anything to get their belly rubbed.

If you consider a dog suitable for an apartment and a substitute for a Samoyed dog, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is undoubtedly the dog to consider.

Due to their extraordinary bonding with their family, they don’t like to be left alone for an extended period.

They make a perfect pet for kids.

In contrast to the Samoyeds, they are not likely to bark and howl – they are easier to manage as an apartment dogs.

Last word on training your Samoyed: 

You should get your Samoyed properly trained because due to their sensitivity to their trainers’ toner voice they can be very rebellious towards anyone who is not their trainers. 

So, if you are going to be using dog sitters and walkers, to take care of your Samoyed, you should make sure the person is not the dominant voice in training your dog.