There are a million considerations to mull over before deciding to buy a condo. One you should not neglect centres on your furry and feathered friends and how warmly they’ll be welcomed, if at all, in your new digs.

Not all condominium corporations love domesticated animals equally. So if bringing your four-legged friend or pet turtle with you is a priority that is definitely something you need to discuss with your realtor, who should be able to advise you. If they can’t or won’t, it’s time to get a new agent.

At Freeman Real Estate, where we encourage staff to bring their pets to work, we’ve even dedicated part of our website to finding the perfect pet-friendly Toronto Condo. We know the public loves their pets and will go to great lengths to accommodate them. In fact, a CBC.ca report from 2017 cited a city estimate that there are between four to eight pets living on every high-rise floor in the city.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The thing to know is that every condo building varies in its rules about pets with some banning them altogether. In order to get the low-down on a particular building you need something called a condo status certificate which outlines the dos and don’ts of your condo. Your real-estate agent may already have copies of the certificates but if not you can get them for a small fee.

So what kind of regulations do condo boards typically have? They vary and cover a wide assortment of items. More common restrictions include rules about leashing pets and ensuring that they are registered and guidelines as to how many pets you can have in your unit and what size and weight your pets can be. There are even some that govern the type of pet so goats or chickens are forbidden because they would be deemed to be livestock.

If you’re something of a rebel and you think the condo board members will fall in love with your 90-kilo English Mastiff and disregard their weight restrictions, think again. Unless you can prove that your pet is with you for medical reasons (as recognized by the Human Rights Code), you may be in for a bitter and pricey fight. In 2015, The Toronto Star reported on a case that ended when the dog was ordered to be removed from the condo. The judge awarded $47,000 in court costs to the condo corporation “which can be collected by way of a lien” against the condo unit in question. The legal costs incurred by the condo dwellers could have easily doubled their bill, the story reported. They argued that their dog, Peaches, should be permitted despite weighing 15 pounds more than what the bylaws allowed.

It just goes to show you that it’s important to be mindful of the rules. Besides there are plenty of GTA condos that are very pet friendly, offering a host of amenities such as nearby parks, pet-washing stations and pet spas.

Sources: www.torontostar.ca, www.zoocasa.com, www.cbc.ca

As Torontonians, we love our dogs and we love our condos so how do we learn to reconcile the two? Living with a dog close to several neighbours means navigating the needs of you and your canine in addition to those of neighbours you may not even know.

Since there are no finishing schools for canine etiquette, you will need to employ some good, old-fashioned common sense for starters. Bear in mind, how you would feel if someone did that to you. The old golden rule of do unto others as you would have them do unto you bears repeating.

Here’s is our list of rules for canine etiquette in condos:

Be a Bark Buster – This ranks as one of the top annoyances especially among neighbours living in close quarters. Your Chihuahua or German shepherd is known to bark more than other breeds and though you don’t mind the noise, your neighbours will grow to hate you and your animal for it. Consider crating your pet or send Charlie to doggy daycare. The Toronto Dogwalkers Association recommends hiring a trainer or perhaps a dog walker to give your dog a midday reprieve that may help it relieve some of its energy and anxiety. If your dog is staying in your condo most days, try to keep him away from the door in an effort to minimize the amount of stimulus he gets.

Poop Patrol – If you have a dog, dealing with their feces and urine is a matter of course. But it’s a small price to pay for the love of a furry friend. Generally speaking, nothing turns neighbours off more than another animal’s excrement. Only allow your pup to relieve himself in designated areas. Be vigilant about not letting Fido whiz on posts, shrubs and just about any non-moving vertical structure, especially those that are close to the condo entrance. It may be a fact of nature, but neighbours don’t want to see it or smell it.

Because dog waste carries disease and parasites, you must be vigilant about picking it up and properly disposing of it. Make it a habit to always carry poop bags on you. They’re inexpensive and small so they are easy to obtain and store.

Show Restraint – Your neighbours, condo staff and service people are not uncommonly fearful, nervous and uncomfortable around dogs that are not restrained. Keep your canine on a leash in hallways and lobbies or whenever walking outside of your condo. Your dog may be the best-behaved canine but why prompt fear among strangers and neighbours? Remember that some people are allergic to dogs, or possibly have reactive dogs of their own that need space away from other animals. Train your dog to sit while in the elevator, keep Scruffy on a short leash and try to exit the elevator first.

Naughty Dog Owners – When you’ve seen a pet owner doing something objectionable you’re best not to confront the person but instead report the incident to management or the condo board. While tattling doesn’t feel great, know that it’s advisable because nothing is worse than creating hostility between you and a neighbour.

Reactive Rover – Got a dog that barks or jumps on people or other dogs? Perhaps it’s time to seek a dog trainer, who can help you work on changing your pet’s behaviour. This is a highly awkward problem for condo dwellers given that they live in such close proximity to others. Try to use back stairs, side doors and entrances and exits not commonly used whenever possible. In the meantime, as Rover is learning to behave, show extra consideration and respect to your neighbours rather than reacting defensively. You’ll earn more brownie points and keep relationships with neighbours civil.

With spring fast upon us dog owners will be more inclined to brave the elements offered by our great outdoors. Besides, what’s a little rain and wind when compared to the snow, ice and freezing cold temperatures we’ve just endured?

There is nothing more exhilarating than watching your canine tear up the earth as he bounds through the air. And there’s no better way to let hounds fly than by setting them free. The city appreciates this, too, and allows for space in certain parks where dogs can roam off leash. Be warned, however, that dogs in city parks must be licensed and wearing a tag.

If you’re a little rusty in the dog-walking department or you’re new to the city, here’s our unofficial guide to some of the area’s best parks for strolling off-leash with your pooch.

Bickford Park

Located south of Bloor and Christie Pits is this 2.8-hectare green space in the heart of Little Italy. In addition to its off-leash area, the park also features two ball diamonds and two bocce courts.

Cedarvale Park

At 1611 Bathurst Street is a huge urban green space that cuts a diagonal swath through the Cedarvale neighbourhood which is located west of Bathurst Street between St. Clair Avenue and Eglinton Avenue. The park features an enclosed off-leash area for dogs in addition to tennis courts, a skating rink and an innovative environmental education program.

Clarence Square Park

Is a small, shady park located at Spadina and Wellington that offer dogs and their masters a decent size area to run or stroll leash free.

High Park

As the city’s crown jewel of green spaces, High Park is not only Toronto’s biggest park but one of its most scenic. Its off-leash section is known as Dog Hill and it boasts lots of seating, washrooms and pet drinking fountains. While there check out the High Park Zoo, Grenadier Café and some of the park’s historical landmarks. Don’t forget to enjoy the views.

Pawsway

The PawsWay at 245 Queens Quay West is Canada’s first pets-allowed indoor eatery. Dogs can dine and then meander about indoors and unencumbered in their very own 3,700 square feet of space. Now that’s doggy heaven.

Sir Winston Churchill Park

Sir Winston Churchill Park is an enormous park north of the Annex, where the off-leash area is part of a nice nature walk between the north and south ends.

Soaureren Avenue Park

Soaureren Avenue Park in Toronto’s Roncesvalles neighbourhood is situated on a former bus garage that was slated to become a storage facility for city vehicles. Thanks to vocal residents, who objected to the plan, the park is home to an off-leash area for dogs as well as a farmer’s market and a field house for community gatherings.

Trinity Bellwoods Park

     Trinity Bellwoods Park’s off-leash area, which is known as         the Dog Bowl, is secluded in a ravine in the middle of the park. The bowl offers a sort of separation from the rest of this large urban    park and good sight lines to keep an eye on your pets.

Vermont Square Park

Vermont Square Park at 819 Palmerston Ave. offers Annex dog owners a little piece of unfenced grass tucked away from busy street traffic.

Wychwood Barns Park

Wychwood Barns Park provides a safe fenced area to protect pups from busy traffic. The small, off-leash area offers picnic tables and a drinking fountain. Bring your dogs on weekends and enjoy the farmer’s market.

June 20th might be Take Your Dog to Work Day around the world, but at Freeman Real Estate pooches are as much a part of the workplace as the furniture.

The Freemans have a long and illustrious reputation as serious canine lovers beginning with their father, Barry Freeman who introduced his beloved pooch Olly to the Bathurst Street office in its early days back in the 1970s.
The tradition has continued with his sons, Elden and Daniel, who each enjoy walking to the office with their furry friends in tow. Elden is often seen accompanied by his three dogs, two Bichons Frise, Yappa and Dopey, and a mutt named Shuli, who hails from Israel. Daniel’s best friend is a hound dog named Babe.

The newest member of the Freeman Team, Babe.

Admin staff is also encouraged to bring in their pups, meaning the fur can fly with as many as seven dogs in the office. All of the dogs are naturally well behaved and socialized. The Freemans guarantee petiquiette of the highest standard, ensuring that vaccinations are up to date and that plenty of dog toys and treats are provided.

The Freemans truly believe a dog presence at work enhances productivity, improves the mood of staff and clients, and increases efficiency because everybody is happier. Animals in the workplace, they say, actually serve to keep stress levels down.

“If I’ve had a difficult meeting or phone conversation, I go see a couple of the dogs for a quick pet and it just takes all that stress away,” says Elden. “Having dogs here makes it comfortable. It’s like good therapy for people. They see we’re not stuffy and uptight. I think it shows that we’re more family oriented, laid back and flexible.”

The merits of having dogs in the workplace are a phenomenon that has been debated for years. Now researchers are studying its effects. A U.S. based study in 2012 found there to be less stress and more job satisfaction, organizational commitment and support in work environments in which dogs were present.

The Freemans have such ardent affection for friends of the four-legged kind that they’ve dedicated a special page on their website to pet-friendly Toronto condos for sale, a feature you won’t find on Realtor.ca. That way, Freeman clients never have to part with their beloved pets.

Visit our Pet Friendly Condo page http://www.freemanrealty.com/pet-friendly-toronto-condos. There you’ll see a variety of dwellings in different price ranges starting at $300,000. Be sure to check out the gallery of photos and accompanying bios of those furry friends who call the office home.

Golden Girls, Moxy and Hanna.They are both 8 years old. Moxy, the alpha of the two, came to her owner at 7 weeks old. Hanna was found through Golden Rescue. Hanna was a foster dog who came to her current owner a mere 45 lbs, skin & bones with rib cage protruding, very sparse fur – a mere shell of herself. She was afraid of everything and everyone and you could barely tell that she was a Golden. With love, patience and a good raw diet, she over time fattened up to 65 pounds and has learned to smile (yes, she actually does have a hilarious smile). The Golden Girls are wonderful companions.