Dogs in a co-op
Thank you everyone – your advice has been extremely helpful. I talked to my neighbor last night: Her thoughts: “There’s nothing that I can do about it but I don’t like dogs, and its above my bedroom, and its a small apartment, and you work a lot, and its just going to be running around all day.” My response: “It’s crated – which is good dog practice – and I have a walker. Do you have any specific concerns that I should take into consideration? If she disturbs you let me know.” Her response: “No, I haven’t heard her yet.” My response: “Ok, let me know if anything comes up.” I will buy a cover to hold the dog tags together and I have a plush roomsized rug coming this weekend (It’s a studio…I had rugs down, but not full coverage.) Brokelin – Rugs aren’t in the proprietary lease…no rules are actually. Thanks for your validation that one apartment making up 2/4 on the board is problematic. They own 2 units in a 10 unit building. I’ll feel around for an oppurtunity to change this. Anotherposter – I like the idea of having my phone number sewn into the collar. Elbow – The couple complaining is responsible for cleaning the hallways (for reduced maintence) so that might be part of their irritation. I could offer to take over this job (for reduced maintence) at the next meeting, if they are inconvenienced. My dog doesn’t seem to understand toys so no fetch in my apartment…just belly rubs. And the dog does its biz at the park at the end of my block…no where near our building or the neighbors. YOU ALL sound like good neighbors.
whaaaaaaaat
in Co-Op Related 12 years ago
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whaaaaaaaat | 12 years ago
http://cdn.brownstoner.com/516d9b5eb5849-.jpg
Hi — My co-op’s pet policy states “The Coop will allow pets in apartments provide they do not disturb other shareholders or constitute a nuisance”. We have cats in the building. On Saturday I wrote to co-op to let them know that I was looking into adopting a “small, adult, trained, calm, quiet, hypoallergenic, non-shedding” dog. On Sunday I brought home said dog then sent out an email with a photo of the dog, the dog walkers contact info, and a photo of the walker. My downstairs neighbors (who constitute 2/4 on the board of directors) are upset that I did not ask the board’s permission before the adoption. Am I a jerk? Thanks Brownstoner community!
anotherposter | 12 years ago
From the wording of the policy, it sounds like you did more than is expected by providing so much information. Unless there is more to the policy that states the pet requires approval, I think you are fine and you have an annoying neighbor. If the policy doesn’t state anything about approval, just very nicely explain the policy to them since they do not seem to be aware of it. Don’t let some killjoys ruin the fun of a new companion. Allowing pets is a risk since you don’t know how they will behave until they are in place. I’m surprised more co-ops don’t have a policy that simply requires pet owners to supply “X” amount into a set-aside portion of the buliding fund that can be used towards a trainer if behavior issues arise or repairs if the dog destroys common areas (chewing or eliminating) and that is refunded on move or pet’s death. Just saying only well-behaved animals is vague and making a weight limit is ridiculous since most problems are from barking, which has nothing to do with weight.
lamb | 12 years ago
I don’t think you’re a jerk. is their anger about perceived lack of courtesy or is it a procedural complaint? did they really want the chance to say no in advance? particularly given the type of animal you’re talking about (it’s not like it’s an 8 week old pit/boxer mix) I can’t see how they could fairly determine whether it would run afoul of the pet policy without the dog actually living in the building for a while.
whaaaaaaaat | 12 years ago
I think it’s lack of courtesy. Should I knock on their door tonight and ask if they want me to put down a rug?
whaaaaaaaat | 12 years ago
Also – should I feel bad coming and going with the dog? The jingle of it’s leash when going past doors?
bowl-of-dicks | 12 years ago
That is one adorable doggy! Awwwwwww
brokelin | 12 years ago
There’s no reason to ask permission unless the policy says somewhere that you need to ask permission. Even then, I wouldn’t necessarily have asked first in your case. The policy you quoted bases acceptance of pets not on prior approval, but on them not disturbing anybody. That’s a better policy than prior approval anyway – it gives them the right to kick out a pet causing a disturbance or nuisance. And there’s no way to tell if there’s a disturbance or nuisance until after the pet lives there. That said, you shouldn’t put down “a” rug, but rugs everywhere, including in an interior hallways. Not just because the dog may be heard on them by those below, especially runinng down halls – but because you may be, and you should have had them down already. Don’t ask, just do it. I’m sure it is required in your proprietary lease anyway, even if not enforced. Do what you can do now to prevent your dog (or yourself) from disturbing anyone. And don’t use a leash that jingles. And, unless you are in a three-unit coop, there’s no reason 2 of 4 board members should be coming from one apartment. Spread the work around – it may help to protect your interests.
slopegirl | 12 years ago
I think you’ll feel better long term if you address it with neighbor and just explain you had no expectation of needing board approval given the by laws and you are so sorry if there was a misunderstanding of any kind.I wouldn’t apologize per se but just be nice about it and clear. You and that adorable dog should feel very comfortable there–it is your home after all as much as anyone else’s–and I think best to address it and move on. As should they. If they have any more problems just show them this thread!
elbow | 12 years ago
Congrats – very cute dog and you sound nice. I live in a small brownstone with a number of dog owners. The dogs are all nice and pretty quiet, but here’s what I wish the dog owners would do: pay for extra hallway cleaning – dogs shed a lot and people with dogs go inside and out far more often, stop the high-pitched baby talk to their dog in front of my door, stop playing fetch with the dog in the apartment especially if you weigh over 200 lbs and don’t have a rug, and never ever even on the rainiest or snowiest day ever let your dog use the front yard as a toilet… Now that I’ve said my piece, I must add that a cooing dog owner is always better than a stoned bassist with amp right under my feet…..
anotherposter | 12 years ago
There are ways to prevent the jingling, but I doubt that’s much different than other noises like carrying keys, etc. Instead of an ID tag on my dog’s collar, I bought several collars (when one gets dirty, I have a clean one ready) with my phone number embroidered on them. These are available many places online and Petco and Petsmart often have them on sale. If you’re keeping the license and rabies tag on the dog, you can buy a little cover that holds them together so they don’t clank.