Leaving my dog behind at home when I left for college was hard, really hard. I instantly missed having someone super excited to see me when I walked in the door, the cuddles and just hanging out with my best friend. I always worried that while I was studying and partying my life away, my little dog was home thinking I had forgotten all about her. Fast forward to junior year, I got my first apartment and reuniting with my dog was one of the things I was most excited about.
The college environment, however, can be surprisingly stressful for some pets. I have definitely enjoyed having my favorite little person with me 24/7, but here are some pros and cons for anyone thinking of bringing their furry little friend!
1. Con – Barking. This is the con I ran into the quickest. As I’m sure you know, dogs have phenomenal hearing. This means that they can pick up noises that most of us never hear. While my dog isn’t the type to bark non-stop, she does get a bit worked up when she hears the routine of party crowds in the stairwell on weekends. The best way to combat this has been a bark collar. I personally recommend ones that either beep or vibrate rather than shocking the dog, since they are just as effective!
2. Pro – Everyone is happy to see you. When you have a dog with you, everyone wants to stop and say hey. My dog loves any type of attention, so she’s made quite a few new friends from our walks. In fact, I’m pretty sure we’re at the point where most people greet her by name.
3. Con – Not being able to come and go. This has been one of the hardest to deal with. It’s sort of like having a child, I can’t just take off for the night without having a plan for her. Luckily, there are apps like WAG, kennels and other boarding options to help alleviate this. One thing that is important to find is a good doggy daycare for emergencies!
4. Pro –The snuggles. Having your dog with you at college, although it can be a challenge, is an amazing stress reliever. When I’ve had a long day of work, class, or both, she is always there to comfort me and take my mind of off any and everything.
If you decide to bring your furry friend to stay with you at college, here are some important things to consider to maintain a happy, safe environment for your pet!