I have loved dogs all of my life, and I mean, who doesn’t? They are constantly loving and reliable, not to mention adorable. I remember trying to convince my mom for years to buy one, and she finally caved. Now, in college, I am extremely tempted to get a puppy of my own. Fortunately (for the dog) I have come to realize that right now is not a time in my life where I should own one. Here are a few pointers that might help you come to the same realization, or encourage you that you are ready for a puppy!
- You Don’t Have A Lot Of Space
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Depending on the size of the dog you want to get, a lot of room is most likely going to be needed. If you have a small apartment, or you don’t feel like you have enough room for the dog to roam comfortably, then maybe getting one isn’t the best idea.
- You Don’t Have The Time Necessary
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Dogs, especially when they are puppies, are a huge time commitment. You have to watch them, let them out, feed them and walk them, among other things. If you go away a lot, or aren’t able to sacrifice the time to provide your puppy with everything it needs, then maybe you should wait until you do have the time.
- Your Roommates Aren’t On The Same Page
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A dog won’t just be confined to your personal living space, the whole house will be involved. If you have roommates that aren’t interested in having a dog, or possibly are allergic, then a dog might not be right for you.
- You Aren’t Thinking Down The Line
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If you get a puppy, he is your constant companion for the next 10-20 years. Make sure you think ahead to the future, and are positive that you can make a commitment to your dog.
If you feel as though none of these apply to you, and you feel confident that you can provide a happy life to your puppy in college, go for it! For now, I’ll be hanging out with my neighbors dog, and counting down the days until I feel like I can handle my own.