Apartment setups create specific doxie risks: slick floors, narrow furniture paths, elevator transitions, and high-frequency doorway movement. Generic “pet proofing” pages do not cover these details.

Use this 25-point apartment audit to prioritize fixes that protect long backs and reduce daily stress.

Quick card

Quick Card: Apartment safety audit

Issue Hidden apartment hazards for long-backed dogs.
Fix 25-point room walkthrough + weekly tracker.
Cost $-$$
Difficulty Medium

What this audit does better

  • Prioritizes doxie-specific movement risks (jump vectors, traction lanes, tight turns).
  • Uses a severity framework so you fix the right hazards first.
  • Includes a weekly recheck method to prevent drift.

Table of contents

  • How scoring works
  • 25-point checklist by zone
  • Priority ladder: what to fix first
  • Downloadable weekly tracker
  • 15-minute weekly maintenance routine
  • Common apartment failure patterns

How scoring works

For each item, mark:

  • 0 = done/safe
  • 1 = minor risk
  • 2 = moderate risk
  • 3 = high risk

Add totals by zone. Fix highest-risk zones first.

25-point checklist by zone

Entryway (5 points)

  1. Non-slip surface at door landing.
  2. Leash/harness station avoids frantic scramble.
  3. No jump trigger furniture near entry.
  4. Safe staging zone for deliveries.
  5. Night lighting for quick potty exits.

Living room (6 points)

  1. Ramp at every regularly used couch/chair.
  2. Furniture layout prevents leapfrogging.
  3. Rug traction lane between bed/couch/door.
  4. No unstable ottomans in launch zones.
  5. Toy basket location avoids slippery turns.
  6. Cord and charger clutter removed from floor path.

Bedroom (5 points)

  1. Bed access ramp length is angle-appropriate.
  2. Bedside landing area has traction.
  3. Night path to door is clear and lit.
  4. Laundry piles and bags removed from jump zones.
  5. Closet door behavior does not trigger repeated jumping.

Kitchen/dining (4 points)

  1. Feeding zone is stable and non-slip.
  2. No chair layouts that invite repeated up/down jumping.
  3. Spill cleanup routine is immediate.
  4. Trash/food storage prevents unsafe reaching behavior.

Hallway/bath/utility (5 points)

  1. Hall runner or grip path installed if floors are slick.
  2. Bathroom mats stay anchored.
  3. Cleaning chemicals inaccessible.
  4. Balcony/patio thresholds are supervised and slip-safe.
  5. Crate/rest zone positioned away from heavy foot traffic.

Priority ladder: what to fix first

If your score feels overwhelming, use this order:

  1. Jump-risk controls (ramps, furniture vectors, bed/couch launch points).
  2. Traction controls (rugs/runners/entry mats).
  3. Movement lane clarity (remove clutter and pinch points).
  4. Routine friction controls (leash station, lights, feeding zone).

High-impact safety comes from movement flow, not expensive décor.

Downloadable weekly tracker

Use one row per hazard and recheck weekly. Mark owner and due date so fixes actually get done.

15-minute weekly maintenance routine

  • Minute 1-3: run entryway and living-room traction checks.
  • Minute 4-6: inspect all ramps (stability, slip, placement drift).
  • Minute 7-9: run bedroom landing/pathway check.
  • Minute 10-12: remove clutter from hallway and turn zones.
  • Minute 13-15: update tracker and assign one fix owner.

This short cadence prevents the “slow mess” that causes avoidable incidents.

Common apartment failure patterns

Pattern: “Everything was fine until guests visited”

Temporary layout changes create new jump lines.
Fix: create one “guest-safe” furniture map and keep it simple.

Pattern: “Morning rush causes most near-misses”

Entryway congestion increases slips and rushed jumps.
Fix: prep leash/harness and bags the night before.

Pattern: “Ramp exists but dog still jumps”

Ramp is present but placed for convenience, not behavior.
Fix: move ramp to the actual jump point and block alternate launch points.

FAQ

Q: How often should I run the full 25-point audit?
A: Full audit monthly, quick 15-minute routine weekly.

Q: Do I need to buy expensive mats and ramps?
A: Not necessarily. Placement and consistency matter more than premium branding.

Q: Is this enough if my dog has current pain issues?
A: No. This is non-medical home setup guidance. Contact your vet for pain or mobility concerns.

Author

Doxie Lowdown Team