Puppy in College

[Jo12345]

I agree, I don't think being in school has anything to do with the way a dog is cared for, it's the maturity level and amount of responsibility a person can handle. We had the most loved, spoiled, cared for boxer while in college.

This is 100% right! I had a 38-yrs old single cousin who had a Husky and would constently go out after work to go drinking with his friends. Poor dog would be alone in the house from about 7am until after midnight some times. So it has nothing to do with age but rather maturity and responsibility.

This being said, just keep in mind that, in college/university there is always so much going on -- that party, the weekend ski trip, the spring break holiday down south -- are you willing to give that up at this point in your life? Until your dog is old enough, i can't imagine that it is a good idea to be "shuffling" him or her around to parents'/friends' house for weekends at a time -- wouldn't that be confusing for the dog and hinder the on-going training that's needed at first? I don't know -- all I know is that sometimes when we want something really bad, we rationalize. Also, you only have two years left in college. Take it from someone who worked full-time while went to University full time (and therefore missed out on a lot of those weekend/week-long trips or activites) -- you never get that time back so enjoy while you can and then make your lifelong commitments!

 

[boxerxbabe]

I think you are better off personally missing out on the "college scene" I am a freshman in college and I am getting a puppy next year (actually likely getting a rescue) because I am getting an apartment. I personally have not allowed myself to get in with the college scene because I don't think its worth it. So it dpeends on who you are. I hate living in the dorms and would much rather just be in an apartment now than be around all these people. Thats me and I'm a homebody. I never party or drink and am usually in my room anytime I am not in class. Thats why I know I can handle having a dog just fine. I have the time for a dog and would personally rather be with my boxer than be out with most if not all of the people who are enjoying college life. Just my two cents

 

[boxerali]

I am getting my Master's Degree and have absolutely enjoyed having my dog by my side during this year. Schedules take a lot of balancing when I am trying to give everything the attention it needs. I have class three days a week (varying hours), work two days a week, and have clinicals one day a week. I am fortunate that my brother lives down the road and helps me on my long days at school by letting Ali out. My parents live near one of my jobs, so I am able to have them "puppy-sit," and I am can take Ali to my other job.

Making time for the dog and affording vet bills can be a challenge, but also take into account the temperament of the individual animal. My dog has an incredibly stable temperament, takes to new situations very easily, and is not destructive in my apartment. I have been incredibly lucky. Some dogs may not adjust well to lots of changing environments, and may not do well switching apartments year after year until college is over.

This is the first year I have lived on my own while going to college, working, and owning a dog. I think the "stars were aligned" for me and the circumstances were right. It certainly is do-able, but it takes creative management.

 

[beausmommy]

I got Bailey my junior year of college and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. He did not distract from my schoolwork at all and I think he was probably the only reason my friends came over Actually, he taught me how to budget my time. I had to maintain a schedule, which I wasn't used to. Getting Beau the fall after graduation before I started my master's program was great, too. I knew I was in store for some long nights of studying, so it was really nice that my boys had a live-in playmate in each other. As far as the vet bills, I guess I've been lucky. I only spend about $300 a year on regular vet care and Bailey's seizure meds are $15 a month. My parents tried to discourage me from getting Beau, but they know how responsible (and determined) I am, so my mom actually joined in the boxer search...she found Beau for me! You sound very responsible and I think you would do fine with a boxer in college. I hope you are looking into rescue. It's a great option that won't break you financially as getting a puppy from a reputable breeder can. It will probably also cut down on the chewing a puppy would probably do in your rental apartment. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[sarah44]

I'm about to graduate and have had Bosco for a little over 2 years now. I think having him in college has been my life saver. He has been a wonderful stress reliever and he gets me out all the time. With such a flexible schedule he has really helped me gain some routine with our daily trips to the park and constant walks. I have more time now to devote to him than I will ever have next year when I'm working from 7-4 everyday. Especially when he was a puppy he needed me ALL the time and I could have never held down a full time job and given him all the attention he required.
As for money, I live off student loans and it hasn't been a problem for me. A lot of the vets around here give student discounts which are nice and when Bosco had to go to the ER vet in the middle of the night (he cut his leg really bad when he knocked a glass over) they set up a payment plan for me. My friends do laugh at me because Bosco eats better than I do most weeks but I'm more than willing to live off PBJ if it means Bosco gets good/healthy food and new toys
Only you can decide if you're ready for a dog, but if you're responsible and willing to sacrifice your time and some money, college is a great time to get a dog. I think the flexibility of the college schedule is great for spoiling a dog!!

 

[Checkers]

A lot of the vets around here give student discounts which are nice

I get that too, and last time the vet didnt even charge me for the visit :D There are a lot of perks to owning a dog in college I reckon :D

 

[sweetnlo]

Basically I'm putting a plan together that depends on alot of things that I won't know for a few months. I guess i'm trying to be safe right now and really keep getting a feel for everything. So for now I'll just clarify a few things (although Id on't think I'm an exception to the diffculties of dog ownerships) just wanted to make a few things clearer. I appreciate all the warnings by the way, they give me alot to thinka bout. Just when I think I'm on a good road to being prepared, someone will make me think again and again. Thank you.

by the $1000 saved up, i didn't mean for the year. I meant to have a good amount right away in case of Emergencies during young puppyhood. I'm not naive to think it's that cheap. In fact, the reason I stated this fact was because it was to show some level of committment. For this semester I am working full time and while I am working full time I'm saving up at least that much so that I have a head start - not a fund of 1000 for the year. When i switch to part time this summer, that just means I have that money as well as at least 50% of my pay check each week to devote to the dog. Like someone above, I too live off loans and scholarships and grants so I'm not dependent on a paycheck for rent or tuition payments. Believe me I have rolled numbers around and will continue to as the months go by so I don't put myself in a situation where I'm scraping by and not giving all I can to the Boxer. I've grown up with dogs my whole life, I love them so much I'm considering looking into some sort of career working with the animal protection or something - that show on Animal Planet basically. it's pretty inspiring...And I feel cheesy

As far as lifestyle, I've settled out fo that college scence. I enjoy hanging with my good friends, but the hectics aren't for me. I have taken a semester off of school before (injury) after freshman and it was the best decision I made. I was doing well in school before, and did even better afterward and really cemented my priorities. I'm pretty much at my class, my apartment, or playing basketball during the week so that's the one area where I feel I'm strongest in. I will be around ALOT for the dog. My only worries like said before are if it's wise considering i will be moving around a couple times in the next years since those are the turbulent times after graduation.

I do understand that breeders will be really hesitant to give to a College student. But part of the way that I'm going to show myself if I'm ready is if I can put back a good amount of money while I'm making plenty. It's just one way to show that I'm committed and disciplined. And I have been talking with breeders and basically babbling with details about all the drawbacks I might face and if I think I can realistically deal with them. The next few months will tell!

I value everyone's opinion in this post. It's keeping my head level. Thank you

 

[Zero_Cool]

My boyfriend (Kadin) and I live together and he is a junior in college. We got Zero when Kadin was a sophomore. I work in the mornings, and Kadin goes to school in the afternoons. So there is only about 1.5 hours every couple of days that Zero is home alone. We got him at the end of Kadin's sophomore year... when there was like a month left... so for that month I just adjusted my work schedule so that he was never alone. This was good cause we got him the day he turned 8 weeks, and he was not yet potty trained and liked to chew. There was definitely compromising on both of our parts, but Zero comes everywhere with us.
I think it does work better if you live with someone, that way if you have to go to school or work, chances are your roomate wouldn't have to.
It worked great for us, and Zero seems fine. Now we can leave him alone longer if we want to go out to dinner or something, cause he is potty trained and hasn't chewed anything of ours for months.
So I guess all I can do is wish you good luck!
And remember, they are fast learners (well Zero was... he was potty trained in like 3 weeks) so that part of it didn't take long at all!

 

[Emily86]

Its a great idea

I am in the same boat. I am a sophomore in college and getting my boxer pup this summer. After your first year (at least for me, I go to a big party school, UGA), you aren't really up all night and binge drinking anymore. My classes are really difficult now and my family lives a million miles away so I am glad to have my dog and my boyfriend, like my own little family. I think it is a good time to have one too. Cause even with having a part time job and school I have way more time to devote to my pup than I will when I am out of school.

sweetnlo- I am getting VPI pet insurance first thing when I get Rogue(thats gonna be his name,hehe) it has a routine care portion that pays a bit of vaccinations and spay/neuter...its not all but it helps. And it is there in case there is an emergency. I can budget for 30/mo better than $2000 at once for a broken leg.

I say go for it...this is the one of the best times I think. It is so lonely in college, even with friends and bfs here. I think it is a great time to get a pup! Plus maybe walking my pup-(we have a rental house but no fence)-will help me shake the freshman 15, hehe!

 

[boxerxbabe]

It is most definatley worth it and doable. I posted a question earlier somewhere (don't remember which thread) asking if boxers do well in apartments and the reply i got from everyone was yes they do. I also go to a big party school also a Big 10 school and a big Football school (Purdue) so there is a ton of partying going on all teh time. My fiance and I are getting an apartment next year and a puppy over this summer and I am very happy about that (he is transfering from his college). It will be nice to have my own little "family" and since the apartment we are getting is on campus, our dog will be alone possibly only an hour a day depoending on our class schedules. Getting an apartment on campus is always a good idea because bewteen classes you can easily go back to the apartment even if you only have an hour before your next class. No driving and no worrying about finding parking places because you are within an easy walking distance just as if you lived in teh dorms. Good luck with you puppy and college