juliaa012 Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 I am wanting to get a dog before i start PA school in May. I am worried about the time i will be away from home and was looking for dog parents in PA and how they handle it. I will be living by myself for the first time and I think having a companion would be good for me. Is it really hard to balance? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HanSolo Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Bad idea. 1) New dogs = lots of work. “New dogs” are basically any dog you haven’t had for at least a year. 2) Living alone means all the responsibility is on you 3) Want to go out for a beer on Friday after class? Want to stay late and study with friends? Want to go to the grocery store before heading home? Nope. You have to go home to the pup first. 4) You’ll need a dog walker midday. Going rate is about $20 per 30 min walk. Do you have that spare change around? That’s an extra $100/week. Note: I have a dog and I’m in school right now. However, I have a support system for that dog. It’s not just me. I would never get one alone. Wait until you’re in a committed relationship. That’s really the best time for a dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyNichiavelli Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Is this going to be an older, house-trained pup, or a <1 year old pup? If you get a young one, it'll be Hell training them through basic commands, teething, pottying, separation anxiety, social interactions, etc. while going to school. Plus it wouldn't be fair to leave them alone so often while still young. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karebear12892 Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 I'd recommend getting a dog that is >1 year old to relieve the burden of potty training, spay/neuter, etc. That being said, I'm a 2nd year PA student and I have a dog. It can definitely be done. He is crate-trained, which makes life easier for both of us. No need to worry about him chewing things up or getting into trouble around the apartment while I'm away. I walk him every morning before school and every night when I get home. He gets a treat every time he goes in his crate and he stays there while I'm gone. As long as you don't use the crate for punishment, the dog shouldn't have an issue with being crated as long as you pick a routine and stick with it. Consistency is key. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyNichiavelli Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 On 2/24/2018 at 2:32 PM, karebear12892 said: I'd recommend getting a dog that is >1 year old to relieve the burden of potty training, spay/neuter, etc. That being said, I'm a 2nd year PA student and I have a dog. It can definitely be done. He is crate-trained, which makes life easier for both of us. No need to worry about him chewing things up or getting into trouble around the apartment while I'm away. I walk him every morning before school and every night when I get home. He gets a treat every time he goes in his crate and he stays there while I'm gone. As long as you don't use the crate for punishment, the dog shouldn't have an issue with being crated as long as you pick a routine and stick with it. Consistency is key. Good luck! I also second this. Crate training saved my life and my pup loves his crate. It removed the stress of what he could've been doing while I was at school/work. If your dog needs to be let out before you're officially home for the day, maybe you could drive home during lunches. Again, this would all be ideal if he/she isn't a puppy. These things definitely take time and some breeds pick up faster than others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAs12017 Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 I lived alone with my dog for a year of PA school, but it was not new to me-aka was house trained, crate trained etc as above mentioned. It really was minimal work, however I do live 2 min away from school and just went home during breaks for walks. I ended up adopting dog # 2 during school which was fine since it was from a foster and thus already house and crate trained. No way would i recommend a puppy. I do know someone who got a puppy, though, and it has been fine. Maybe go ahead and adopt it now so you have a couple months of training ahead of school! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modernlily16 Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Echoing what everyone has said, it's REALLY hard to have a puppy or dog in general. Puppies are nearly impossible if you are alone or have no help/support. They're like kids, truly. They wake up in the middle of the night to potty and need to be taken out hourly in their first few months. I'd recommend waiting a few months until you get settled into your program and you know a little more about what your daily schedule is like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BirdDogPA Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 Yeah don't do ANYTHING to add stress to your life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearDown Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 yeah... I'm worried about a dog of 2.5 years starting school in a few months. I just keep saying to him.. "Hey man - if we get through this you can get off the food lion special kibble and get the good stuff." (I budgeted for dog walk service 3x a week.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajames Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 If you already have a dog, I am sure you have a routine and find comfort in having unconditional love and affection. When I pet my dogs, I find it destressing. I also enjoy running with them and hiking. Sure, I might not be able to as much when school starts, but I think I will find time for these activities because they are important to me and aren't stressful to begin with. Honestly, I don't think I could live alone either and really appreciate their company. Even when studying, sometimes I recite stuff to them. If you are looking to purchase a companion, it would be good to do it before school starts to gain trust and develop your own routine. Also consider getting a low-maintenance breed or one that isn't overly active and make good apartment dogs It would be good to get a little dog because they eat less, take up less room, and have more room to run around in smaller spaces. There are some associated costs that you should be aware of such as monthly food expenses (20-30), yearly vaccinations including mandatory rabies in my state, and possibly even grooming services such as clipping nails (10-15). I haven't crate trained my dogs, props to those who could, but they haven't destroyed my house either, and use a doggy door appropriately. Best of luck in your upcoming journey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 I may be the odd one out but I think crating a dog has its place but shouldn't be used as a place to lock your dog up for 8 to 10 hours a day while you're at work or school, especially without the dog getting out for a walk or two during the day. Even if "he loves his crate!". I've had a dog that never destroyed the house when I was gone and was crate trained, but he was just left out with the dog door accessible to the outside. And roommates that helped sometimes by feeding him if I got held up at work. I understand that different dogs have different personalities and behavior and may be more unruly when left out, but put some serious thought into getting a dog before doing so. Especially young or new dogs. Older well trained dogs that youve had for a while are often a bit easier. Everyone who had dogs in my class usually had a spouse or roommtes that helped them out so it can be done in the right situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyNichiavelli Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 54 minutes ago, Colorado said: I may be the odd one out but I think crating a dog has its place but shouldn't be used as a place to lock your dog up for 8 to 10 hours a day while you're at work or school, especially without the dog getting out for a walk or two during the day. Even if "he loves his crate!". I've had a dog that never destroyed the house when I was gone and was crate trained, but he was just left out with the dog door accessible to the outside. And roommates that helped sometimes by feeding him if I got held up at work. I understand that different dogs have different personalities and behavior and may be more unruly when left out, but put some serious thought into getting a dog before doing so. Especially young or new dogs. Older well trained dogs that youve had for a while are often a bit easier. Everyone who had dogs in my class usually had a spouse or roommtes that helped them out so it can be done in the right situation. ...Not sure if the "he loves his crate!" part is a dig at me, but you can definitely be entitled to your opinion without being rude about it. That's super cool that your dog can roam freely without destroying your house. However, my dog cannot roam freely without destroying the house or injuring himself, so being in his crate for a few hours until I get home during lunch each day and again at the end of the work/school day won't traumatize him while he learns the rules of the house. ? Anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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