What should an NYC newbie know about dogs?
December 14, 2018 2:10 PM Subscribe
You're single and have a small dog in a downtown L.A. apartment. You're taking a job in Midtown. What should you know about bringing said dog to NYC?
Parks without dog runs, including Central Park, allow dogs to run off-leash between 9 pm and 9 am.
posted by ckridge at 2:50 PM on December 14, 2018
posted by ckridge at 2:50 PM on December 14, 2018
If your dog is small enough to fit in a bag you can bring it on the subway.
posted by Automocar at 3:06 PM on December 14, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Automocar at 3:06 PM on December 14, 2018 [2 favorites]
If you have a bag big enough to fit your dog you can bring it on the subway.
posted by seanmpuckett at 3:25 PM on December 14, 2018 [52 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 3:25 PM on December 14, 2018 [52 favorites]
If your dog isn't a runner-awayer, definitely take him or her to Central Park (or, even better, Prospect Park) for off-leash time before 9 am. Even after 9 am, parks are still a lovely place to walk your dog.
There are also good dog runs throughout the city, listed here: https://www.bringfido.com/attraction/parks/city/new_york_ny_us/
There are bars that allow you to bring your dog, among them dba in the East Village. Check bringfido.com for others.
posted by adgnyc at 3:39 PM on December 14, 2018
There are also good dog runs throughout the city, listed here: https://www.bringfido.com/attraction/parks/city/new_york_ny_us/
There are bars that allow you to bring your dog, among them dba in the East Village. Check bringfido.com for others.
posted by adgnyc at 3:39 PM on December 14, 2018
You know how Angelenos use those retractable leashes that allow their dogs to basically block the entire sidewalk? People in New York will call you an asshole if you do that.
posted by roger ackroyd at 3:49 PM on December 14, 2018 [12 favorites]
posted by roger ackroyd at 3:49 PM on December 14, 2018 [12 favorites]
If you don't pick up after your dog, I personally will find you.
More seriously, it can be somewhat difficult to find a no-fee rental that allows pets. If your new job is doing relocation services for you on their dime, make sure they know that your dog will be coming with you and that it's non-negotiable. If your lease requires a pet fee and/or a pet rider, make sure you have receipts and everything in writing so they can't change their minds halfway through the lease and try to charge you more/force you to get rid of the dog.
Ask here on mefi for vet recommendations once you know your location more specifically, rather than relying on yelp or whatever.
You will want some kind of foot coverings for the dog in winter, no matter what the dog's size. This can be anything from those little rubber disposable booties to fancier footwear. This is because the chemicals and/or salt used to de-ice roads and sidewalks in the winter can be very harsh on doggo feets.
Since you're moving from LA I assume you're familiar with how your dog reacts to hot weather, but I think nyc summers might be a lot more humid than you're used to, so plan summer walks for shade accordingly, and maybe carry cold water and a collapsible bowl if you plan on being out more than briefly.
Idk what the situation is in LA but here you have to register and license your dog, it's a small annual fee (under $10) if the dog is neutered, but like $50 or something if it's not.
posted by poffin boffin at 3:53 PM on December 14, 2018 [3 favorites]
More seriously, it can be somewhat difficult to find a no-fee rental that allows pets. If your new job is doing relocation services for you on their dime, make sure they know that your dog will be coming with you and that it's non-negotiable. If your lease requires a pet fee and/or a pet rider, make sure you have receipts and everything in writing so they can't change their minds halfway through the lease and try to charge you more/force you to get rid of the dog.
Ask here on mefi for vet recommendations once you know your location more specifically, rather than relying on yelp or whatever.
You will want some kind of foot coverings for the dog in winter, no matter what the dog's size. This can be anything from those little rubber disposable booties to fancier footwear. This is because the chemicals and/or salt used to de-ice roads and sidewalks in the winter can be very harsh on doggo feets.
Since you're moving from LA I assume you're familiar with how your dog reacts to hot weather, but I think nyc summers might be a lot more humid than you're used to, so plan summer walks for shade accordingly, and maybe carry cold water and a collapsible bowl if you plan on being out more than briefly.
Idk what the situation is in LA but here you have to register and license your dog, it's a small annual fee (under $10) if the dog is neutered, but like $50 or something if it's not.
posted by poffin boffin at 3:53 PM on December 14, 2018 [3 favorites]
ALSO the 24h emergency animal hospital Blue Pearl is in midtown on the west side and while they are, of course, appallingly expensive, imo they do an excellent job.
posted by poffin boffin at 3:56 PM on December 14, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by poffin boffin at 3:56 PM on December 14, 2018 [1 favorite]
Your dog needs a leptosis vaccination. Leptosis spreads in rat pee. Rats are endemic.
posted by ckridge at 4:10 PM on December 14, 2018
posted by ckridge at 4:10 PM on December 14, 2018
Also we do get west nile here sometimes in the summer so you might want to think about vaccinating for that. I don't think canine leishmaniasis is an issue in the US but absolutely get a tick collar.
posted by poffin boffin at 4:23 PM on December 14, 2018
posted by poffin boffin at 4:23 PM on December 14, 2018
Per a dogwalker on the UWS: Dogs often have difficulty transitioning to NYC because of the crowds, but they do eventually get used to it. Dawdling on walks is bound to piss off other pedestrians, if you're blocking their progress. It's less stressful for everyone, especially but not exclusively your doggo, if you choose walking routes that stay primarily on residential streets where there is less foot traffic.
posted by DrGail at 5:06 PM on December 14, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by DrGail at 5:06 PM on December 14, 2018 [1 favorite]
Hot steam runs through underground pipes and sometimes leaks. If you see water vapor coming up through through a grate or manhole, consider the possibility that the adjacent pavement is hot enough to hurt your dog's feet.
Every so often a combination of ice, water, road salt, and bad maintenance cause ground faults in underground electrical wiring, so that it is possible to get electrical shocks from gratings, steel cellar doors, manholes, and streetlamps. Mostly people are fine, because they wear shoes, but dogs can get hurt or killed. Our dog got shocked once like this.
posted by ckridge at 5:26 PM on December 14, 2018
Every so often a combination of ice, water, road salt, and bad maintenance cause ground faults in underground electrical wiring, so that it is possible to get electrical shocks from gratings, steel cellar doors, manholes, and streetlamps. Mostly people are fine, because they wear shoes, but dogs can get hurt or killed. Our dog got shocked once like this.
posted by ckridge at 5:26 PM on December 14, 2018
If you forget to bring a poop bag, and stand staring disconsolately at the poop, there is a fair to middling chance that some passerby will hand you a bag without breaking stride or making more than a second's eye contact.
If that doesn't happen, we live off of fast food deliveries and put our garbage out in front of our buildings, so a certain amount of rummaging will generally obtain a plastic bag with only a little duck sauce on it. However, it is customary to give precedence to homeless people looking for cans. It is their livelihood.
posted by ckridge at 5:33 PM on December 14, 2018 [2 favorites]
If that doesn't happen, we live off of fast food deliveries and put our garbage out in front of our buildings, so a certain amount of rummaging will generally obtain a plastic bag with only a little duck sauce on it. However, it is customary to give precedence to homeless people looking for cans. It is their livelihood.
posted by ckridge at 5:33 PM on December 14, 2018 [2 favorites]
Dogwalkers are *(&(&$(* expensive. Expect $350-$400/mo. for a short walk on weekdays.
Most of the newer big rental buildings actually do accept dogs, though there may be weight or breed restrictions. It's the older places that may give you more trouble.
Doormen have been known to have stashes of treats for visiting puppers.
posted by praemunire at 6:34 PM on December 14, 2018
Most of the newer big rental buildings actually do accept dogs, though there may be weight or breed restrictions. It's the older places that may give you more trouble.
Doormen have been known to have stashes of treats for visiting puppers.
posted by praemunire at 6:34 PM on December 14, 2018
The dog shoe thing is real. It can give them chemical burns on their feet and it’s just heartbreaking. No matter how “good” your dog is, leash them in public (other than dog runs). This place is so condensed and saturated with people and dogs- it really just isn’t safe to have your dog off-leash in places that your are expected to have them on leash.
Some areas are more dog-friendly than others and there is a significant difference in attitudes around dogs depending on the neighborhood. It’s good to look into it before you sign a lease.
Speaking of lease- most buildings are not dog friendly. The ones that are may have strict rules about weird things like dogs need to go through the basement only. Expect it to take longer and be more of a pain to find an acceptable place- and read everything carefully- dog-friendly might only mean dogs under 15lbs or only in x apartments etc etc
posted by Blisterlips at 7:55 PM on December 14, 2018
Some areas are more dog-friendly than others and there is a significant difference in attitudes around dogs depending on the neighborhood. It’s good to look into it before you sign a lease.
Speaking of lease- most buildings are not dog friendly. The ones that are may have strict rules about weird things like dogs need to go through the basement only. Expect it to take longer and be more of a pain to find an acceptable place- and read everything carefully- dog-friendly might only mean dogs under 15lbs or only in x apartments etc etc
posted by Blisterlips at 7:55 PM on December 14, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by pinochiette at 2:39 PM on December 14, 2018 [1 favorite]