So, when can I get a puppy?

[houlahoops]

Haha but actually...

I am a very mobile person. As a wildlife biologist I have to go where the jobs are, and that sometimes means picking up and traveling cross country at the drop of a hat. It gets lonely, and I find myself pining for a canine companion more and more.

I am 22, I just applied to graduate school and I will be fairly stationary for the next four years. I got a job, I have a place to live, and a reliable source of income. I have a chunk of cash set aside, a vet and a breeder picked out.

Is it unreasonable for me to think of adding a dog before I've "settled down?" I am absolutely committed to the health and wellbeing of any future addition, and I have a support system in the (horrible, unlikely) event that a catastrophe prevents me from caring for my pup.

I bought a bird about two months ago as a "compromise" and I am absolutely in love. He is the absolute greatest little critter! But the fact that the bird is so doable and easy to care for is just making my puppy-want even worse...I am training him constantly, and I find myself convinced that I would have the time and energy to devote to a dog as well.

For those of you that bought a pup as newly independent human beings...:
1. Were you surprised at how hard it was? What was the most difficult thing?
2. Is it irresponsible/a bad idea for people to get a pup if they do not plan on living in the same place for a long time?
Edit: 3. How on Earth do I know if I'm "ready"????

 

[Flyinsbt]

If you feel you can commit to a puppy, get a puppy. Lots of dogs move around with their owners, and are fine. The only reason to not get a puppy would be if you weren't able to be reasonably sure of providing a permanent home.

If you're getting a puppy that you're planning to move around with, I'd just be sure that the pup was well crate trained, and used to being taken places, so that the travel wasn't a shocking new experience. Also, I don't know what breed you're considering, but stay away from the bull breeds, since they are legislated against in so many areas, it would limit your flexibility a lot. Also, giant breeds are hard to fly with, so I'd avoid those as well.

 

[Laurelin]

I just got them as soon as I could and it worked out. I knew I'd make it work, I had a support system, and my dogs would never want for anything.

I would keep in mind renting if you're going to be renting a while. Size requirements are common in some areas as are pet limits. As long as you're willing to really work to find housing it should be doable but certain breeds will be much harder than others.

I actually had a decently hard time finding a rental house vs apartment with two small dogs when I moved here. It seems in my experience most houses are not pet friendly. I actually thought finding pet friendly apartments was much easier.

 

[ruffiangirl]

Ill say the same thing to you as I said to my niece, since you are not "settled down" or know where you are going to live long term get a dog that can fit into many life styles, and travel easily. I think if you have the time and want to devote to a puppy then go ahead, just don't limit your options by getting a dog that could limit your living choices (a breed that might be restricted due to breed, or size).

 

[JacksonsMom]

I think you will 'know'. And if you keep waiting around it may never happen. I got Jackson pretty randomly (i.e. very minimal thought when into it) when I had just turned 18, just graduated high school, and on holiday break from community college. In reality, most would've said it was the WORST time to get a dog. I don't even think I realized how 'into' my dog I would be though. Really, it was not so bad of a time, because a lot of my friends were going away to college, and I wasn't much of a party-er anyway so getting a dog actually gave me a social life, and something to do, and some responsibility.

I did/do have the support of my family if necessary, but I find I rarely need to use them anyway. My dad watches him when I do have to go away, etc, but yeah I find I don't LIKE being away from him, so it's not something that happens terribly often. Financially, he's always been my responsibility, but I know if some big emergency came up, I'd probably have some help.

But basically you sound like you're in a good place in your life to add a dog, IMO, and I think you should do it, especially if you're heart is telling you to and you are ready.

 

[GipsyQueen]

I'm in a similar situation as you - so I have no suggestions but this thread instrests me.

I compromised like you, with getting a bunny. I love the little guy - but he's not a dog. I was standing infront of the birds at the petstore and went huh, I could get a bird and train it.. thought about it for a while and told myself that I need to stop trying to compensate.
My biggest worry though is fitting a dog into a full time job once I'm finished with school.

 

[JacksonsMom]

Ill say the same thing to you as I said to my niece, since you are not "settled down" or know where you are going to live long term get a dog that can fit into many life styles, and travel easily. I think if you have the time and want to devote to a puppy then go ahead, just don't limit your options by getting a dog that could limit your living choices (a breed that might be restricted due to breed, or size).

This is definitely true too though. Me having a little dog has made a lot of things much easier than if I had a big dog. I also will probably have to rent in the future and I find in this area, most apartments have a 35lbs and under type rule. And houses for that matter too. And certain counties have breed restrictions. We also travel with him occasionally, and hotels sometimes only take small breeds.

 

[Laurelin]

My biggest worry though is fitting a dog into a full time job once I'm finished with school.

I found college muh easier than now with my 'big kid' job. In college we could easily do mid afternoon 2 hour park trips. Now I can't unless I take off and my dogs are home for a bit over 9 hours most days. They do adjust to a job though and my dogs seem just fine. I find myself wanting to add a pup and wishing I had my college schedule though.

We keep busy on weekends and I frequently get days off. We're active early in the mornings and after work. They get a short lunch break too. We do a lot of classes too. My dogs seem very happy so I try not to feel guilty about it.

But being a college dog owner was actually easier in a lot of ways. On the other hand I had no money so not able to do a lot sports wise at the time like I had wanted to. I am lucky I can take off on a whim most days (except important meetings) and I get 6 hours off every pay period. I never work overtime which is nice too. I'm actually considering checking out this afternoon early to go hiking.

 

[JacksonsMom]

I'm in a similar situation as you - so I have no suggestions but this thread instrests me.

I compromised like you, with getting a bunny. I love the little guy - but he's not a dog. I was standing infront of the birds at the petstore and went huh, I could get a bird and train it.. thought about it for a while and told myself that I need to stop trying to compensate.
My biggest worry though is fitting a dog into a full time job once I'm finished with school.

I've thought stuff like that too, because I kind of have been wanting a second dog for a while. I started thinking about a kitten, briefly, but I'm like... no, a kitten is NOT a dog, and I'm not going to wind up with a bunch of animals because I wanted a dog LOL. Because I know eventually I'll have another dog, and if I then had myself 3 animals, I'm not sure it's something I'm up for lol.

As far as the full time job thing, I've thought about it too. Jackson is used to me being home quite a bit, to be honest. I still do not have a full-time job yet, but I will soon. I've just thought of it this way -- nearly everyone is going to have a full time job between the ages of, what, 25 and 65? (I dunno, just a random guesstimate) so are we just ... not supposed to have dogs? lol. Dogs are adaptable creatures. And being home 8 hours a day is not going to kill them, so long as they're still getting proper stimulation and exercise (which, I'm sure, most people here do).

 

[meepitsmeagan]

As far as the full time job thing, I've thought about it too. Jackson is used to me being home quite a bit, to be honest. I still do not have a full-time job yet, but I will soon. I've just thought of it this way -- nearly everyone is going to have a full time job between the ages of, what, 25 and 65? (I dunno, just a random guesstimate) so are we just ... not supposed to have dogs? lol. Dogs are adaptable creatures. And being home 8 hours a day is not going to kill them, so long as they're still getting proper stimulation and exercise (which, I'm sure, most people here do).

It's really not TOO bad. Two is easier than one to exercise, as they have another dog to play with. However, I will say exercising two high energy dogs is MUCH easier than three from my experience. I'm working 4 hours less than full time, plus 8 credit hours in school.

Dog daycare if you can, at least once or twice a week will help a lot. Especially with the "teenage puppy" months. I was very grateful that I was able to take Seal puppy to daycare on days when I had a lot going on.

I will second everyone who says to watch size. Especially with how much you travel, planes, vehicles, hotel rooms, and campers are much easier to deal with if you have a dog under 65 pounds. Josh and I lived in a pop up last summer with Harlow, then with Rider. It's doable, but not "easy". If you want it bad enough, you make it work. I think it's a good thing for "young" people to have a dog (or two). I say go for it if you are financially stable.

 

[Red.Apricot]

I got Elsie when I was an undergrad. I'm working on my MS (in biology, haha) and have every intention of pursuing a PhD after.

Honestly, it's not that hard; I have a great support system, but I know plenty of people that make it work by themselves.

It hasn't been my experience that dogs mind traveling that much, if they're exposed to it from an early age. Elsie goes on most of my trips with me, and has a grand time.

1. Were you surprised at how hard it was? What was the most difficult thing?
The most difficult thing is making time for the sports we want to do. We haven't been able to trail since June? I think, because every weekend something else comes up. I have plenty of time to do other stuff with Elsie, but getting her RE has been put on hold until December, unfortunately.
2. Is it irresponsible/a bad idea for people to get a pup if they do not plan on living in the same place for a long time?
I don't think so; I got a puppy and then moved two months later. Elsie's stuck with me for life, wherever I go. I'm planning on moving across the country in about two years, and she'll be dragged along for that, too.
3. How on Earth do I know if I'm "ready"????
I have no idea how to answer that one. I was going to get a kitten, and my dad talked me into a puppy. He was right; I wanted a dog, not a cat, but I thought a cat might be a little easier with my schedule. We've made it work, though.

 

[Laurelin]

Oh and my dogs have moved like 4 or 5 times now? Especially summer. She moved with me to school and my apartment with roomies then back home twice and to another apartment (by myself) to now at my rental house. Doesn't ever phase her at all. My house now is the longest we've stayed anywhere. I think as long as you know the dog will come with you and you can arrange to find a place to take it then it will be fine. Moving is a problem when you don't take the time to find housing that will take your dog. But most people here will not let that be an excuse.

I didn't even have one piece of furniture in my apartment when I bought Mia. Literally. It worked out.

 

[Elrohwen]

I am one who waited a while after college to get a dog. At the time I was working at a job that required 70% travel, so I would've been away all the time and left DH (then boyfriend) with the dog. So we agreed that until I was working in a more stable job, we would hold off on the dog. Getting a new job also sort of went with getting a house, and our current apartment didn't allow dogs, so we waited for that as well. If I hadn't been in a job requiring travel almost weekly, I think I would've had a dog much sooner.

I think grad school could actually be an ideal time for a dog. I know I would've had much more time for a dog when I was in college, vs now when I work 9 hours a day. My schedule was much more flexible then with more free time. And once you're out of school and working a normal job again, the dog will adapt. Most people with dogs work a 40 hour work week I imagine, and they all do just fine.

As for the hardest part, the initially puppy months would have been pretty hard without a helper. I was very glad to have DH around to do half of the work. So I think that's the one part that may be harder than expected if you're doing it by yourself, but it's only a couple months. Once they can hold it for an hour or more, and you don't have to watch their every move, it gets easier.

I do agree with the others that if you plan to move frequently, a smaller dog of a non-restricted breed will be easier.

I ended up getting bunnies as my dog compromise. I'm so glad I got them and they're wonderful pets, but not the same as a dog. So if you think you can handle it, I would go for it. It's like having kids - if you wait until you're 100% "ready", you'll never be ready. It sounds like you're in a fairly stable place right now with school, so it's probably as good a time as any to take the plunge.

 

[*blackrose]

Well...I am freshly graduated, working full time, living alone, and will likely be moving and having my schedule change a LOT these next few years due to marrying into the military lifestyle (and we both want a kid in the next year or so)...and I have a six month old Chessie puppy in a one bedroom apartment.

If I can do it, you can do it! Lol

I think the biggest thing for me was that Mike was still home when Abrams was a baby. So when I was at work, he was available to do the potty breaks, and playtime, and training. It would have really been difficult had he not been available, especially for potty breaks during the day. Even now I have a friend stop by over her lunch break to let them out to potty when I work 9-10 hour days.

I also went with a breed that is likely not on any restricted list (I wanted a protective dog, but not a commonly banned breed), and went with a breeder that I knew would produce an even tempered dog that could handle changes in his enviroment (including kids). Had I been more intelligent, I would have home with a smaller breed, and I was really considering a spaniel of some kind...but I'm a retriever person, and in the end, I decided the potential traveling/renting issues was worth it for my retriever.

 

[sciatrix]

De-lurking because I was in the exact same situation as you (22, newly graduated, about to move a thousand miles for an ecology program and then be relatively stationary for five years) and I went and got the dog anyway. I actually adopted her right before my last exam in undergrad.

And it was fine anyway. I mean, don't get the dog right BEFORE you move, that wasn't the smartest choice I made, but even if you did moving across states with a dog is pretty doable. Especially a smallish one.

I do agree with all the advice to pick something 30 pounds or smaller and not obviously a bully breed, because if you're going to pack up and move again in four years you want something as landlord-friendly as possible. I have a 30-pound possibly-Boston Terrier-possibly-pit mix who passes as a Boston cross on all her paperwork, and that works well for me. Juggling a pet and grad school is not as bad as people make it out to be as long as the dog is a priority, which it sounds like it is for you.

One thing I would mention that I don't think anyone has brought up yet is the question of fieldwork. In your program, is there a chance you'll be spending significant periods of time doing research somewhere other than where you're living? I had not realized ahead of time that I was going to be spending six weeks a year doing fieldwork for my research in Costa Rica when I started my program, and obviously the dog couldn't come with me. I would have made the same decision anyway, but I would have started setting up a support network and found someone to look after my dog while I was gone in my current city much earlier than I ended up doing. It's definitely something to think about if you're in a wildlife biology program--I have a relatively short field season for my discipline, and I have friends who would be spending all their time in the field if they could get the funding!

 

[Oko]

Not technically independent yet, but I got a puppy with the intention of taking her to college and then who knows, so yeah.

1. Were you surprised at how hard it was? What was the most difficult thing?
Not really. Very much researched and knew what I was in for. Mostly I was surprised that she wasn't the pee machine I thought she would be lol. The most difficult thing is being away from her for an eight hour block, I miss her.

2. Is it irresponsible/a bad idea for people to get a pup if they do not plan on living in the same place for a long time?
If it is I am.

Edit: 3. How on Earth do I know if I'm "ready"????
Want a puppy get a puppy. You'll probably never be ready hahahaha.

 

[GipsyQueen]

I'm going to email my landlord this weekend and see what he says. (We're allowed pets, but it has to be spoken about with our landlord).

 

[houlahoops]

Well since it's unanimous... (I emailed a breeder this morning )

Not rushing the process, and I will not be in a situation to take a pup until April at the earliest, but I AM STILL SO EXCITED.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Thanks for all the sound advice, everyone! I guess there is no "perfect" time and realistically I will have more free time for puppy-raising in grad school than I will once I start working full-time. Housing around school is all dog-friendly (even for big dogs), and if worse comes to worst I have several friends who could use the help with rent....

Be prepared for spamming of puppy pictures and updates on a daily basis! Yip!

 

[Laurelin]

One thing to keep in mind with renting and size requirements is mobility. It may be very easy to rent with a restricted breed or large breed in certain areas but may be much harder in others. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[houlahoops]

I definitely am considering breeds that are a little more portable...I wouldn't want to get in a jam and have to turn down an opportunity because I couldn't take the dog with me!