Questioning if i should

[AngelsRose]

Its not a have to its a want to

I want to move out and be on my own but we're not talking for another year or 2. My parents and I understand eachother that I am going to go for my freshman year to this instate school (WCSU) and see what i think of college. After next school year, thats my freshman year in college, i will decide what i am going to do, if i'm going to continue with college or setle down completely. that is why i am researching so hard about a dog.
I guess i was wrong about rescue dogs, I mean if I get a dog not necessarily a rescue one I want it to be young u know? just i thing i have i guess haha.
I understand all the time, effort and money that will go into this and that is why I am asking questions now so I am positively sure when i make the final one.:p

 

[Tam319]

Sometimes there are younger dogs in rescue. Tony was 5 months old when I found him. I think often what happens is a person gets a cutsie little puppy and when it hits the "teenager" phase they dump it at a shelter or rescue organization. These are perfectly good, young, lovable dogs. If you were able to volunteer or get in touch with a rescue group they may contact you when a younger dog comes in.

Tamara

 

[martins]

Hi there, just wanted to share our story, since we're only a few months into our first boxer! My husband and I got married about a year after we both graduated from college. Neither of us are interested in having children, at least not for a long while and probably not at all, we always said we'd have a dog (or 2 eventually!) as our child, and planned on it even before we got married. (I'll mention that we're now 25) Anyway, my husband is in the Navy, and we moved here to Hawaii in december of 2000. After being settled here for almost a year, working it out with our landlord and reading tons of books and learning everything we possibly could about our chosen breed and dog ownership in general, we knew we were ready. Also, he's gone periodically on the boat and I'm home most of the day, so it was a perfect time to bring home a puppy. We got Roscoe at 11 weeks last October, he's now 6 months and doing great, but I am SO glad that we waited until one of us had this much time. We went through a few years of 'I want a dog, I want a dog' coming from both of us, but waiting has made us love him even more. We've had a great first few months, but in all honesty it has felt like a couple of years to do all the work to raise him well and do all the things we feel he needs from us.
All in all it sounds like you're really thinking hard about your decision and I wish you luck with it and school and everything. Putting this much thought into it, you'll make the right decision for yourself. And, if you decide that a boxer is right for you, this is the place to come to answer any question you may come up with. We've learned volumes of information and gotten advise for tons of problems by reading through everything we can. Good luck, keep us posted on your decision!

 

[AngelsRose]

Yea I am thinking very hard and long about this whole getting a dog thing. My dad and I have already agreed that i can't get a dog while I live here. But I have plans to be out of here in at least a year or something. So i figure i would start now to research and figure out what I am getting myself into....before i actually do anything.:cool: :D

 

[AngelsRose]

Will it really cost me a whole lot to raise from a puppy? How long should i wait after i get settled..I'd like to hear some more advice.

 

[Tam319]

Hmmm...I'm not sure about the dollars and cents exactly but I can tell you it is A LOT!!!

The one lesson that I've learned is there is no such thing as a free or cheap dog! You end up paying in the long run when it comes to vet bills due to poor breeding and health problems. I got a free puppy from a litter. He wasn't vaccinated, health checked, neutered or health guarenteed so all of those costs were my responsibility. And let me tell you, vet visits really do add up.

My second dog was a rescue from a shelter. His vaccinations and vet check were included in the adoption fee ($150) but he cost a lot more in training and doggy therapy bills. He had been abused (that's why he was in the shelter) so he took a lot of time, behavior consulations and training before he was at the point where he was a happy adjusted little dog. He wasn't house trained so it took a lot of carpet cleaning as well!

And that brings us to doggy #3. She is from a reputable breeder from health tested parents. She is vaccinated and health checked, and health guarenteed. She is also started being crate trained and house trained by the breeder. Her initial purchase price is A LOT, but when you balance it with the vet visit savings in the long run, she is worth it.

Costs to take into consideration:

-initial purchase price of dog
-health check
-vaccinations
-neutering/spaying
-dewormer
-dog license
-food (the good quality stuff is pretty pricey)
-crate
-toys
-dishes
-blankets
-collars and leashes
-outdoor run or fence around yard
-increased rent to live where they allow dogs
-proffessional carpet cleaner couple times per year
-lint brush (or 1000!)
-training classes
-gas to get to the dog park
-doggy divider for your car
-outdoor doggy shelter for when she/he plays outside
-emergency vet fund for sickness/injury
-repair costs for things they wreck (clothes, shoes, expensive things)
-lots of Windex to clean nose prints off windows
-super heavy duty vacuum cleaner
-teeth cleanings
-training books, clicker, training aids
-treats galore!

These are all I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure there are other things I forgot.

I waited a year after I moved away to college before I got a dog. I'm glad I did. I think I needed that year to settle down, get my priorities straight, get in a routine, figure school out, etc. Once I had my life in order I was ready to get a dog.

Do you have any specific questions about costs and getting a pup I can help you with?

Tamara

 

[AngelsRose]

I am putting alot of thought and consideration into this whole thing. I wanna really think about it before i jump the gun to make a decision. I need to kind of get a build up to what its going to be like I guess you can call it. I can't think of any questions right now. But how do you know the right people to go to,, to get the dog, and what would be better for me, a young-puppy or a lil older of a dog?

 

[Bandit's Lisa]

Getting a puppy

Angelsrose-

I think your questioning whether or not to get one should be an indication. Boxers are the best breed you could ever ask for- but not during college. You are going to have a very hectic schedule. Boxers require a lot, and I mean A LOT of attention, and time. I haven't had any kids yet, because I think I'm too selfish with my time- Yet my entire life revolves around Bandit. He's two and a half. I walk him as soon as I get up and before I go to bed. There are three of us here at home, and we all play with him, walk him, feed him and he still wants to go! Between moving, and school, I think your life will be full of a lot of new experiences, and challenges. I don't think a puppy is going to help any! I don't want you to think that I'm saying you're not up to it. I also hate saying no don't do it. But in the long run, you have to think about your new dog. Are you really going to be able to provide for it the way you would want to? Boxers need to have their people around them. Bandit hates it when we leave. He cries if just one of us leaves- and there's three of us! I'd hold off and wait a couple of years. You never think dog's are a big responsibility until you have one- it's almost more than kids!

 

[AngelsRose]

well with all this thinking i'm trying to figure if this breed is the right one for me, i mean no matter what kind i get i will have to devote myself to them no matter what, that a priority. but when do i know its the right kind of dog for me?:confused: