RentSocial Gives Apartment Dwellers Something to Bark About

CHICAGO, Aug. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For dog-loving apartment dwellers who pine for a pet, RentSocial and certified animal behavior consultant Steve Dale are helping urbanites find canine companionship and ensure their home is dog-friendly. From pet-proofing your home to selecting a Fido-friendly neighborhood, pet care is more than just walk in the park.

"Few owners can be home twenty four hours a day for their dogs, so the health and security of a pet is one of the biggest concerns for apartment dwellers who are looking for a pet-friendly home and neighborhood," said Eric Broughton, President and COO of Yield Technologies. "Apartment dwellers don't have to be worried about the well-being of their pet – they can search for pet-friendly apartments that have nearby parks and walking paths and they can use the RentSocial site to connect with other pet owners in their building."

Under-exercised and under-stimulated dogs can create their own fun – from pulling down window blinds to snacking on the sofa to non-stop barking. Exercise is a great emotional outlet and can decrease the stress and anxiety a dog feels when his owner is gone.

"Barking, chewing or biting are all signs that your dog may experience separation anxiety or boredom and putting on the TV while you're gone is not always the answer," said Dale, host of nationally syndicated Steve Dale's Pet World and The Pet Minute. "When you live in a social setting, it's important to socialize your dogs with the people and pets that live in your apartment to create a sense of community that makes pets feel more secure."

Four ways help make your dog feel more at home:

Socialize your pet

Socialization is important or dogs may be easily shaken by the sound of the elevator door, the sight of new people and smell of other dogs in common areas. Establishing a routine can help dogs to adjust to new situations.

Be neighborly

If you have a dog, you will quickly meet other dog owners in your building and can create a community that goes on walks and trips to the park, creating a close-knit group of dogs and owners who are well socialized and friendly. Trusted neighbors can also help keep an eye on your canine if you're gone for an extended period of time, and you may do the same for them.

Try new tricks

To keep your dog stimulated, hide treats around the house when you're out of the house, or rotate toys every few days to keep your dog stimulated. Leave different scents on familiar objects in your home – spray lavender on a toy or wipe a clean rag on your neighbor's dog or cat and leave it out for your canine to discover.

Find a pooch-perfect home

Many people believe that small dogs make better apartment companions, but large dogs are less likely to yap at neighbors, are less active indoors and can provide greater security. Exercise with any dog is important, so look for an apartment near a park or walking path and away from busy streets. Still, on leash walks might be as stimulating as a run in the park; this way the dog gets the 4-1-1 on all other dogs, squirrels and stray cats in the neighborhood; and it's healthy for you and your dog.

To find your perfect pet-friendly apartment, help create a healthy home or to connect with other pet owners in your building, visit www.rentsocial.com, "Like" us on Facebook and "Follow" us on Twitter.

About Steve Dale

Steve Dale is the author of the twice weekly syndicated newspaper column "My Pet World" and is a certified Animal Behavior Consultant (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants). Steve also serves on the board of the American Humane Association and has been a frequent guest on many local and national radio and television shows to share his knowledge on animal behavior.

About RentSocial

RentSocial, owned and managed by Yield Technologies, is a new kind of online apartment search service that simplifies and socializes the process of finding an apartment through innovative features including ratings and verified resident reviews. RentSocial gives property managers, residents and prospective renters the ability to connect throughout the rental process, from the beginning of a search to the end of a lease and beyond. For more information, visit www.rentsocial.com.

About RentSentinel

RentSentinel is a fully featured apartment marketing management software for the multifamily industry. Geared toward the management of property portfolios, RentSentinel's suite of products tracks the overall process from the time an agent lists an ad thru Craigslist or an ILS, to Lead Management, thru ultimately signing a lease. Our solution provides detailed reporting that measures cost effectiveness of various channels and manages the full life cycle of activities from Listing to Lease. For more information, visit www.rentsentinel.com, "Follow" us on Twitter, "Like" us on Facebook or e-mail us at [email protected].

About Yield Technologies

Yield Technologies is a leader in the next evolution of Real Estate technology and services. Yield Technologies capitalizes on its industry expertise to build actionable solutions that increase overall enterprise profitability and productivity. As a leader in the industry, Yield Technologies has implemented proven technology solutions including integrated data warehouses, ERP implementations, management dashboards, and revenue management systems solutions to companies across the globe. For more information, visit http://www.yieldco.com/.

Contact:
Grant Deady
Zeno Group for RentSocial
312.396.9734
[email protected]

Gina Bonistalli
Marketing Manager, RentSocial
312.283.1436
[email protected]

SOURCE RentSocial